Special breed of EasyCut Highland front mowers masters steep grassland

Spelle, 16 June 2020. Special situations ask for specialist equipment. This also holds true for mowing, tedding and swathing in mountain regions. Therefore Krone developed a specialist series of machines that cater to such special conditions – the Krone Highland mowers, tedders and rakes.
The front mowers in this family are the new EasyCut F 280 Highland (2,73m work width) and the EasyCut F 320 Highland (3.16m work width). The key difference over regular mowers is the direct attachment to the tractor which eliminates the Weiste A-frame and moves the machine closer to the tractor’s front axle for improved and optimised ground contouring on very steep slopes and in extremely undulating terrain. Welded from box section steel, the strong frame was optimised in terms of weight and low centre of gravity.
Suspended in its centre of gravity, the Highland mower provides exemplary contouring across the direction of travel and guarantees maximum up/down travel. Machine suspension comes from the special weight shifting link arms on mountain tractors for which these models are specifically designed. Yet massive suspension springs are also available as an option. Mounted in Cat 1 and 2 linkages, the mowers are particularly suited for 120hp mountain tractors or small standard tractors.

Another landmark feature is the standard side-shifting function which shifts the mower hydraulically to the right or left from the convenience of the cab, offering 15cm side travel either to the left or right (30cm in total) without angling the driveshaft and allowing operators to achieve clean and the best possible cuts, even when drift is an issue and when using dual wheels. This also means that the central gearbox remains in its position, which reduces the strain on the driveline from the tractor to the mower and extends machine life.

Tried-and-tested technology inside
Inside the machine, customers find the SmartCut cutterbar which has proven many thousands of times featuring optimised disc spacings, with those discs turning outwards being closer now for better blade overlaps and perfect cuts at all times – even in difficult conditions such as light crops but also high-yielding stands. Vice versa, the gap between the discs turning towards each other is larger now for a constant and smooth material flow in high-volume crops and clean cuts at higher work rates. In addition, the new breed of Highland mowers have two extra top hats that ensure a consistent flow through the machine working downhill.

The cutterbar is permanently lubricated and fully welded for maximum stability and longevity. All discs are available with the patented SafeCut cutterbar protection system and have extra wide and hard-faced skids that reduce the ground pressure and protect the sward. Another plus is the fact that the skids are bolted for easy replacement. The blades boast practical quick-change technology as a standard feature. Thanks to the modular design of the discs, all components can be replaced individually. Spare blades are stored in the drawer that is integrated in the frame so they are readily at hand when needed.

Operator convenience and safety:
The new front mowers also score high marks in terms of operator comfort. For example, an optional lighting kit offers two front position lights. Another retrofit kit is the automatic restraint for the swathing curtains which prevents the curtains from billowing during road travel at speed. This restraint is operated conveniently from the cab and is also recommended for the hydraulically controlled end curtains. Another stand-out option on the new EasyCut mowers is the DLG certified CCTV camera system that is installed to the front end. Available for all EasyCut F models in both push or pull configuration, the system comprises two cameras, one screen and the necessary wiring. The system increases road safety as it eliminates blind spots at road junctions and gateways.

Summary: Presenting the two front mowers EasyCut F 280/F 320 Highland, Krone launches two new models for professional mountain farmers, once again strengthening its position as a professional forage specialist that caters for all conditions.