Disc mower range gets upgrade
Kuhn has announced an expansion of its range of disc mowers, distributed by Norwood in New Zealand, with the addition of two new vertically folding rear mounted models, the GMD 3515 and GMD 4015.
Kuhn's new SPV Access and Power self-propelled silage cutter and mixer models have been developed to provide users with a compact, low height, easy to handle machine, with a 126kW (170hp) engine.
Available from 12 to 17 m3 and suited to farms with more than 80 dairy cows, the single vertical auger models are designed with a rear steering axle allowing for a short turning radius.
This new range features several models to meet varying herd sizes, with the SPV Access offered in 12, 14 and 15 cu metre capacities with a 90hp milling head, while the SPV Power is available in 12, 14, 15 and 17 cube sizes with a 120hp milling head.
The rear steering axle offers a 5.9m turning radius, making manoeuvring in silos or accessing narrow feeding passages easy, while the optional front steering axle can be specified to reduce the turning radius to only 5.0m
The engine is placed between the cab and the tub, so offering comfortable access to perform routine maintenance.
Described as an “easy to drive” machine, precise machine control is actioned via an ergonomic joystick, with an optional pedal-controlled layout if preferred. A choice of two different control terminals, the VT 30 or CCI 50, use a simple interface logic for control of the Loading, Mixing and Feeding modes.
The panoramic cab allows the operator to move safely within confined spaces, utilising 360° lighting for dark operating environments and forward-mounted electric retractable rear-view mirrors.
The design of the new range is said to allow large volumes while overall heights remain low. For example, a 15 m3 machine can now operate in buildings with less than 3.00m headroom, achieved by positioning the mixer tub low between the axles.
The machines feature right and/or left-hand side discharge, allowing feed passages requiring simultaneous, bilateral distribution to be handled in one pass. Both units can be equipped with a retractable feed conveyor under the tub, that in transport mode, remains within the machine’s outline, so protecting against impact damage.
The 2-metre wide milling heads are said to deal with all fodder and feed types, benefitting from automated control of the milling head on the downstroke to allow the force to be adapted to the density of the fodder being loaded
The mixing auger is powered hydraulically with two speed ranges. In the “mixing” mode, it ensures complete cutting and mixing of the products at 15 rpm with the ACCESS models and 20 rpm with the POWER models. In the “feeding” mode, the tubs increase speed to 38 rpm for the ACCESS and at 50 rpm for the POWER versions.
Fonterra Edendale has been recognised with the Mars Dairy Supplier Quality Award for the top performing supplier sites in the global food company's dairy supply chain.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk has achieved grass-fed certification of milk supply against the AsureQuality Grass-Fed Scheme.
OPINION: What goes up must come down. So, global dairy prices retreating from lofty heights in recent months wouldn’t come as a surprise to many farmers.
Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.
OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?