New centre pivot mower shown at Grassland UK
Visitors to the John Deere stand at Grassland UK will got a sneak preview of the company's new centre pivot mower conditioner, which can be seen working in public for the first time. The 730 and 735 models have been produced in limited numbers for 2003, and will be fully available for the 2004 season.
The 730 and 735 mower conditioners feature six and seven disc cutterbars with cutting widths of 3m and 3.5m and pto power requirements of 90 and 100hp respectively. Windrow widths are easily adjustable from 0.9m to 2m on the 730 model, and from 1m to 2.4m on the 735.
Centre pivot design allows the operator to work to either side of the tractor. Together with the standard swivel hitch, this increases manoeuvrability, particularly at headlands, and saves time by allowing the operator to work straight across the field from one side to the other. Options include a windrow grouper to produce double windrows up to 3m wide for pickup by high capacity foragers such as John Deere's new 7000 Series.
Both the 730 and 735 feature a fully enclosed modular cutterbar. This is made of cast iron for extra strength and high cut quality, with a low profile that operates close to the ground, down to only 20mm, and at a flatter angle for improved cutting performance and forage quality. This design also reduces wear and limits stone damage, and the mower's retractable knives are easily reversed or replaced.
John Deere's proven impeller conditioning system is easily adjusted to suit different field conditions, employing free-swinging V-shaped steel tines for a more positive pickup and faster operating speeds. A simple crank on the conditioning hood changes the distance between the hood and the impeller from 10mm to 120mm, and rotor speed can also be changed to match the crop.
A completely new advanced suspension design incorporates two long adjustable springs to ensure constant ground pressure, and enable the mower to return to the working position quickly after striking an obstacle. The machine also features large, wide 13/75-16 tyres to reduce soil damage and compaction, and transport widths are 2.98m on the 730 and 3.45m on the 735.
