Pöttinger: From grassland machinery to global innovator
Formed in 1871, Austrian agricultural machinery manufacturer Pottinger originally focused on producing grassland machinery for a little over a century.
This allows cutter-bar adaption to ground undulations over an arc of + 22/- 30 degrees, making the machines particularly well suited to steep inclines, rough ground and for mowing embankments.
Mowing up to + 45 degrees by lifting the interlock latch is also possible for short periods.
In operation, the mower geometry lowers the mower so that the outer end of the cutter bar contacts the ground first, while conversely, when lifting at the headland the inside end is lifted first, providing optimum protection of the sward.
In the event of a collision, a safety breakaway system allows the mower to swing back out of the working position by up to 12 degrees to protect the machine, with a simple reset triggered by reversing the machine to reengage the cutter-bar.
Two suspension springs, working in conjunction with unique kinematics that carry the cutter bar, ensure even ground pressure across the full working width, with adjustment carried out without the need for any tools.
The ground pressure can be adapted to suit individual operating conditions thereby reducing wear and keeping power requirements to a minimum.
Featuring adjustable linkage mounting pins, the mowers can be hitched up to the tractor quickly and easily, then folded vertically through 102 degrees for safe and compact road transport. The layout is said to provide a clear view in both rear mirrors, while the useful option of a parking stand means the mower can be stowed in this transport position to save space.
With a low power requirement, the new Novadisc 222, 262, 302 and 352 models offer working widths between 2.2 and 3.46 metres, with power requirements from 40hp upwards.
Also new from the Austrian grassland specialists is the PRO range of the Novacat 261, 301 and 351 Alpha Motion PRO front-mounted disc mowers that can be used as a straight mower with swath discs, or in combination with an ED tine or RCB roller conditioner.
The PRO models are attached to the tractor using a three-point mounting, making them easy to attach, while the cutter-bar is readily accessible for cleaning or knife changes via a folding front guard. The cover also provides convenient access for adjusting the suspension springs, while a central greasing hub on the headstock offers simplification of daily maintenance.
Noting that with conventional mower headstocks, only the leading linkage responds to bumps in the ground, the Alpha Motion headstock ensures the entire carrier frame adapts to the ground contours. Each movement controls the frame to ensure a “floating cut”, even at high speeds and over wet ground, which results in less damage to the sward and an extended service life for the machine.
