Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
These have working widths of 3.10m and 3.50m respectively.
The side-pull drawbar units, with hydraulically offset mowing elements, feature Kuhn’s SquareFlex roller conditioners that incorporate mechanically driven 240mm diameter rollers that are claimed to be synchronized for life.
The unique profile of the polyurethane rollers ensures that plants and stalks are crimped, irrespective of the direction the crop is presented.
Driven by a gearbox to rotate at 780rpm, the pressure exerted by the rollers is easily adjusted, while also allowing them to move apart to allow foreign objects to pass through.
The layout is said to be suited to dealing with crops such as alfalfa, clover and lucerne or any crops where there is a risk of leaf shatter or those with thicker stems.
Both models are fitted with the Opti- Disc Elite cutter bar, fitted with the Protecta- Drive safety system that, when an impact occurs, sees the shaft above the bearing “shear” through a pre-determined groove to allow the disc to freewheel and protect the gear train.
The “sealed for life” cutter-bar requires no maintenance and is equipped with large diameter gear assemblies and double-row angular contact ball bearings for robustness and durability.
Equipped as standard with the Fast- Fit quick knife release system, a leaf spring layout ensures that there is constant pressure on the blade securing pin, with rapid change of any blunt or damaged blades.
A spring suspension system ensures efficient ground pressure reduction of the mower unit while also ensuring positive ground contour adaptation.
The clever Gyrodine headstock ensures that the PTO input shaft remains straight when undertaking tight turns, allowing the machine to manoeuvre tightly in narrow plots or irregularshaped paddocks.
