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.
On the mowing front, the Novacat V 10000 is available with a headstock suitable for 3.0 or 3.5-metre wide front mowers, combining with rear butterfly units to deliver working widths of up to 9.62 and 10.02 metres. As an option, the NOVACAT V 10000 can be equipped with the Collector cross conveyor belt and CROSS FLOW auger for merging swaths.
Like its Novacat A10 predecessor, the new combo is said to be exceptionally adaptable and easy to operate thanks to an electronic and hydraulic update.
Hydraulic cylinders integrated into the booms shift the cutter bar by up to 370mm on each side, allowing an optimum overlap and perfect mowing quality on slopes or when cornering.
Ground pressure automatically adapts to the working width, offering less soil damage, better forage quality and reduced wear.
The driveline layout takes the form of a patented Y DRIVE input gearbox that has the advantage that longer standard PTO shafts can be used with less of an angle in operation.
A choice of machine control sees the latest ISOBUS-capable SELECT pre-select control system as standard. All functions can be preselected and performed using the tractor’s remote valves- requiring only one double-acting hydraulic connection.
The control system allows the mower units to be lifted individually, while hydraulics are also used to fold the optional side guards, adjust the working width and operate the transport interlock.
The second control option is the optional ISOBUS-compatible system, either using an ISOBUS tractor terminal or the new third-generation POWER CONTROL, EXPERT 75, or the CCI 1200 control terminal. A new feature is Section Control activation, using the standard job computer, allowing individual mower units to be automatically raised and lowered at the headland, depending on the GPS position.
Further innovations include the optional automatic inclination system that, on slopes, shifts the mower units automatically so no streaks are left standing, even if the mower combination drifts sideways.
In other product news, the HIT V 11100 tedder uses 1.42m rotors to achieve a 10.70m working width. The new machine is equipped with a ball eye and linkage rod combined with two hydraulic centring cylinders as standard in the pivoting headstock.
Said to track perfectly during tedding, the centring action of the hydraulic cylinders ensures smooth guidance of the ten rotors without swaying. The preload pressure of the cylinders prevents the machine from running ahead when driving downhill, while each assembly is fitted with a nitrogen accumulator to cushion horizontal movements while an additional rubber buffer absorbs shocks.
During lifting at the headland, the tedder first dips slightly at the linkage rod (slotted hole), before the centering cylinders on the headstock retract, allowing the tedder to move smoothly into the centre position. The dipping action during lifting also causes the rotors to tilt back. This ensures that the tines do not scrape against the ground, keeping the forage clean as a result.
