Kuhn unveils 14.5m mower for high HP harvesters
With most forage harvester manufacturers offering machines touching 1000hp, the logistics puzzle has always been ‘dropping” grass and pulling into a swath big enough to feed the “beast”.
It is available either as a plain disc mower with swath formers, or with ED tine-type conditioners or alternately with RCB roller-type conditioners.
The Novacat A10 has a rugged carrier frame with a quick hitch-compatible Cat. III or Cat. IV linkage.
Used in combination with a 3m front mower, working widths of 8.80-9.56m are possible, allowing the central gap between the two mower units of 1.8-2.6m. Utilising a 3.5m front mower, working width increases to 9.26-10.02m, with a delivery space of 2.3-3.1 m.
A Y-drive central input gearbox has output shafts on opposing sides said to result in longer PTO shafts running at a reduced angle and offering the advantage of smoother running and an increased service life.
Layout sees slip clutches located next to the gearbox, and a double universal-jointed shaft in the inside mower disc-and-drum assembly provides a stress-free link between the individual mower gearboxes and the cutter bar.
Nonstop lift protects the cutter bar in the event of striking an obstacle and sees the mower frames mounted on gimbals which are hydraulically preloaded by a triangular support arm. The triggering pressure can be easily adjusted and is displayed by a conveniently located pressure gauge. When triggered, the mower frame folds backwards on the triangular frame and is simultaneously raised at the front by the gimbals, resulting in a three-dimensional collision safety system.
For road transport, the mower is hydraulically folded vertically, locked at a transport height of 4.0m, transport width of 2.7 or 3.15m and a ground clearance of at least 28cm. A mechanical transport interlock is released hydraulically and removes the need for a lanyard, ensuring maximum convenience; parking stands enable the machine to be stored in the raised position to save space.
The mower combination is equipped with the Select Control terminal as standard and combines with a double-acting remote valve to allow preselection of the mower units, working width adjustment, control over the folding side guards, the hydraulic transport interlock as well as setting weight alleviation and suspension effect.
An optional Power Control terminal has load sensing compatibility, ISOBUS control of all functions, direct control via the terminal (eg front mower, weight alleviation, etc) and control of the working width based on the ISOBUS turning angle signal from the tractor.
Both control terminals have integrated maintenance management functions monitored by the operating time of the mower's driveshaft. Lubrication intervals (grease points, cylinders, PTO shafts, etc) are 50 hours; the interval for oil changes (gearbox and cutter bar) is 250 hours.
