Hi
Sorry for the delay, my internet provider stopped ..er.. providing for a few days...
As far as I have been able to find out, there are a few different ways that peat is dried here.
The main method seems to be to use solar energy. The peat is loosened to the depth of a few centimetres, and the sun and wind then begin to dry the peat pretty much like making hay. The peat layer is turned with a machine like a plough, only with tiny blades that only turn the top 2 centimetres. The machine is towed behind a very big tractor with twin wheels front and back, and is about 18 metres wide. The peat is turned up to three times depending on the weather. After drying in this manner the dry peat is then hoovered off with a "giant vacuum cleaner" (that's how it was described to me
) and then carted away in a trailer.
Another method uses a machine that digs down about 18" over a wide area, loosens what it has dug, and leaves behind a long windrow.
Remember though that Finland has a continental climate, so this might not work in Ireland. As well as the dark -40C winters we have hot summers and 22 hour daylight as part of the package! Having said that though, the last two summers have been bad for haymaking and peat drying. Maybe the climate is changing slowly?
The third method uses a process involving the use of superheated steam. That doesn't sound like something you'd find in a
Zetor radiator even on a bad day
and is probably left well alone
Here are some photos of the dinky-toys used in Finnish peat bogs:
http://www.koneyrittajat.fi/vanha/toimialat/turvetuotanto.htm
Best regards
J-P