fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 04 September 2018 13:21

Mower dances to a new record

Written by  Mark Daniel
The Claas Disco mower in action. The Claas Disco mower in action.

A Claas Disco 1100 RC, billed as the largest tractor-mounted mower-conditioner on the market, has shattered the world record for mowing, knocking over 141ha of lucerne in just eight hours.

Mounted on a Claas Axion 870 tractor (295hp) with a continuously variable transmission, the triple mower-roller conditioner unit achieved an average work rate of 17.6 ha/hour. This was an impressive result given the average yield of 5.24 t/ha DM and the fact the crop was spread across four different fields. 

The new record eclipsed the previous benchmark by 40.5ha set in grass – without conditioners and therefore a much easier task. 

The record, yet to be verified by Guinness World Records, was set by Tate Mesbergen from Mesbergen Farms, Greely, Colorado, helped by his support team and CLAAS staff. 

The start was delayed several hours by 12.7mm of rain that had fallen the previous day; and there were two unplanned stops in the paddock, one when the rig hit a piece of concrete that luckily caused no damage.

The Disco 1100 RC has a conditioner with two V-shaped interlocking polyurethane rollers which compress the hard stems while simultaneously preserving the precious leaves. This helps reduce the wilting time and preserves maximum feed value, because the leaves are preserved. But it increases the mower’s power consumption.

The 1100 incorporates the maker’s Max Cut cutter-bar, which has a wave-shaped mower bed press-formed from a single piece of metal. 

The machine is the flagship in a range that includes 28 new front-mounted, rear-mounted and trailed models with operating widths from 2.6m to 10.7m.

More like this

Claas rings up some big numbers

The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural equipment.

'Claasy' hybrid combine harvester

Harvesting and tractor specialist Claas has developed and field tested a combine harvester fitted with a part electric drive system.

20 years of tractor production

Claas has marked the 20th anniversary of entering the global tractor market with the production of its 200,000th tractor at its French Le Mans facility.

New triple-combos from Claas

Claas has closed the gap in the DISCO 9200/9300 and the DISCO 1100 wide mower ranges, with the arrival of the new 9700 range triple set up.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…