McConnel’s dual-cutting highway star
The dual-cutting qualities of McConnel's recently launched PA180 power arm is clocking up the miles across Europe and proving to be a hit with European highways agencies.
The leading UK agricultural machinery manufacturer's engineering credentials have been recognised with major highway and auto-route assignments in the UK, France and Denmark following the PA180's unveiling to the market at SIMA in Paris earlier this year.
The considerable commercial, ergonomic and environmental merits of the extensive 5.5 metre reach power arm which cuts with equally effective results to both left and right-hand sides of the tractor have been recognised by some of Europe's largest highways authorities according to McConnel Marketing Manager Wayne Brown.
Apart from the time-saving benefits and performance of the new power arm, the advanced alignment of the mid-cut pack, which positions the flailhead parallel with the operator, has received widespread approval out on the major routes themselves.
"This one feature alone is establishing the PA180 as another breakthrough development in power arm technology for McConnel," explains Brown.
"With the flailhead actually 1.5m further forward, the driver's visibility is dramatically improved making it so much more comfortable and safer to operate.
The introduction of McConnel's first two-way cutting arm technology brings further benefits enabling verge and hedge mowing to be carried out in a constant direction and speed, always with the flow of the traffic.
"One of the biggest accomplishments in combining all of these benefits in one power-arm package which is perfectly geared for the highways and contractor markets, is that nothing has been compromised in the performance or geometry of the machine," added Brown.
According to McConnel, reports indicate that the combined effect of the PA180's developments have resulted in improved speed of operation. This is attributed to enhanced operator control and comfort and not least because the dual-side working pack eliminates redundant working periods which were previously imposed unavoidably by the constraints of a single-side cutting operation.
According to McConnel, reports indicate that the combined effect of the PA180's developments have resulted in improved speed of operation. This is attributed to enhanced operator control and comfort and not least because the dual-side working pack eliminates redundant working periods which were previously imposed unavoidably by the constraints of a single-side cutting operation.
With greater numbers of miles getting covered more quickly, McConnel believes this will result in fewer associated traffic delays on the roads being maintained which will bring an environmental benefit.
The new PA180, which is a five-point axle mounted machine, is due to undertake various demonstrations throughout Europe during the remainder of the year.
The machine's 180 degrees of slew for right-hand and left-hand-side cutting requires a 75 hp tractor with minimum weight of 4.5 tonnes. It is compatible with McConnel's full range of attachments and control systems including the advanced EDS (Easy Drive System). RRP from £34,000 including digital armrest controls, EDS and 1.2m Multi-cut flail-head.
