'World's widest' trailed mower without conditioner from Lely

08 Apr 14:01

This new design had a split cutterbar to give a wider working width, but does not sacrifice transport width limitations.

Moving on from the 460P concept, Lely now offers the 550P, which with its 5.5m cutting width claims to be the world's widest mower without a conditioner.

Two frames hold two separate 2.8m cutterbars which are suspended in an offset position, plus can float independently of each other within their own frame. A large overlap between the two ensures no missed crop, says Lely.

Hydro-pneumatic system
Ground pressure adjustment comes from a hydro-pneumatic system, with a stop on the hydraulic ram to give simple mowing height adjustment with a full lift facility for headland turning.

So does this larger mower need masses of horsepower and weight to pull? According to Lely, the answer is no. It says a light tractor can be used, aided by a low horsepower requirement to the drive of mower cutterbars, which take their power from the outside for maximum crop clearance.

Also, a neat feature is the ability to mow either side of the tractor, so output, it is claimed, can be pushed up by a massive 15 per cent as an 'up and down' system can be employed rather than working in lands. Both cutterbars fold forward for transport, which gives a neat 2.6m-wide package. Attachment is via a three-point linkage system.