Farmers or contractors looking for high outputs at silage making time will be interested in two new centrally articulated mowers launched onto the UK market for the 2006 season.
Kuhn's GMD 4010 and 4410 disc mowers offer 4.0 metre and 4.4 metre working widths respectively and are the latest models to include the patented Lift Control facility. The GMD 4410 is believed to be the largest mounted mower on the UK market and, when combined with the appropriate front mounted machine, will cut an impressive 7 metres in one pass.
Central articulation gives these machines the great advantages of improved ground following and even load distribution, which ensure an accurate cut even at high speeds. Like the smaller GMD models in this range, the 4.0 metre and 4.4 metre models benefit from Lift Control, which is equipped with an integrated hydraulic linkage enabling the cutter bar to be lifted out of work on headlands (to a clearance of 40 cm) without raising the 3-point linkage. Ground clearance is also constant over the whole width of the machine.
The hydraulic lift linkage also incorporates a hydro-pneumatic shock absorber to reduce the shock loads on the tractor during transport or when turning at the headlands. This reduces mechanical wear and improves operator comfort.
Non-stop break-back control is also included on GMD 4010 and 4410 models, minimising the risk or inconvenience of damage in the event of hitting an obstacle.
