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”.
The GF 13012 and GF 17012 Gyrotedders have the capacity to ted up to 15ha per hour, the former using 12 rotors to cover 13m operating width and the latter using 16 rotors to cover 17.2m.
Two key modifications for the upcoming season are improved headland clearance, the outer sections being supported and held in position by self-reeling tension straps that allow all the rotors to lift in one motion.
The set-up, not dissimilar to a typical seat belt layout in a car, is claimed to reduce stress on the main chassis and individual rotor sections, and to keep the machine stable across its entire width when encountering rough ground.
The ‘supporting’ straps also serve a dual purpose by acting as safety guards, replacing traditional steel units, with the benefit of saving weight and eliminating breakages cause by vibration or metal fatigue.
Rotors are raised hydraulically on the headland by a pair of transport wheels to provide high clearance, which offers the ability to cross windrows without dragging up heaps or clumps.
Terrain following is the job of the Kuhn Ground Save Control (GSC) where the rotor train is allowed to travel independently of the chassis, eliminating excessive ground contact, contamination and tine wear. Rotor height is controlled by a single screw adjuster positioned next to the 3-point linkage.
Despite the huge operating widths, both machines fold compactly for transport, the GF13012 measuring 2.4m wide x 6.5m long x 2.68m high and the GF17012 taking up 2.4m x 7.5m x 2.68m.
They weigh 2800 and 3400kg respectively; power requirement is said to be 80 or 100hp.
