Limerick contractor flying high with new mower combination

Contracting in Broadford, Co Limerick, Noel Duggan offers a variety of services from slurry work to tillage work and round-baling.

As part of the family-run business, Noel also provides a service mowing grass for pit silage for a neighbouring contractor, mowing in the region of 3,000 acres annually. Last season, Noel upgraded to a full-specification Pöttinger Novacat A10 ED Collector butterfly mower combination and Novacat 301 Alpha Motion ED Pro front mower, having required a machine capable of higher output with the need to make the most efficient use out of one tractor and one operator.

Noel explains how he had originally moved from two trailed mowers to a John Deere front- and side-mounted combination, which worked in the fleet for three years before moving to a butterfly combination.

“I always had a notion of moving to butterflies at some point but was unsure how they would suit in some situations given their larger build and working widths. There was no tractor in the yard suitable for butterflies that time either, so I went for a front- and side-mounted combination which proved to be a good move, reducing the need for an extra man and tractor.

It was obvious that the answer was either go down the route of buying a Krone Big M or a large set of butterfly mowers

“After three years, things were getting busier with more grass to be cut. This, and the availability of skilled labour – which still poses a serious issue – meant I needed to get the most out of one machine.

“It was obvious that the answer was either go down the route of buying a Krone Big M or a large set of butterfly mowers.

“Having done some costing around a Big M, I realised it wasn’t the answer for me at the time.

“I didn’t feel there was enough being cut to justify the buying or running costs associated with one.

“They’re a great machine and suit some contractors but, for me, a larger tractor was going to be of more use at other times of the year.”

Why Pöttinger?

Noel looked at a number of butterfly mower combinations on the market with Pöttinger and Krone machines standing out to him.

“I looked at what various brands were offering in a well-specified large butterfly combinations. Pöttinger and Krone machines stood out.

“Already owning a Pöttinger disc harrow, I couldn’t fault its build quality and the mowers too seemed well put together.

“The larger Novacat A10 ED Collector was the model that ticked all the boxes. Dealing with Atkins suited well as I had planned to buy a Fendt 828 for this season to run the mowers, which I have since took delivery of. It leaves it easier for me having one dealer look after everything from service to repairs.”

Features and technology

Noel specified the mowers with almost all extras including full Isobus control with load-sensing hydraulics, quick-fit blades, hydraulic folding side guards and hydraulic working width adjustment.

“When buying, I decided to spec the mowers out with Isobus and make use of the Fendt control terminal’s capabilities. This, coupled with the mower’s features, means I can get the most out of both machines on hills and on bends, eliminating the chances of leaving lines of uncut grass thanks to its overlap width adjustment.

“A particular feature that stands out with the A10 combination is its ability to automatically adjust the position of each rear mower depending on the tractor’s steering angle.

“For example, if I go to turn right both rear mowers shift 400mm to the right, eliminating misses completely in most cases.”

Similarly, the variable width function on Noel’s Novacat A10s can be adjusted on the go from the terminal, moving the mowers 400mm in either direction.

For example, on side-sloping terrain both mowers can be shifted up the hill to prevent misses. Both rear mowers can also move in towards each other creating a larger overlap on the front mower. The narrowest working width is 8.80m (29ft).

A simpler feature is the addition of hydraulically folding side guards at the front and back. Noel said that the press of a button now saves the hassle of manually raising and lowering the side guards when moving from field to field.

Folding and unfolding the mower from transport to field mode is also done at the press of a button from the tractor’s terminal. Flexibility of Isobus control means that multiple mower functions can be reassigned to the tractor’s controls.

Noel explained that the Pöttinger virtual terminal takes some time to become familiar with given its level of customisability and large number of functions.

Cutterbar, conditioner and groupers

The Pöttinger Novacat A10 rear combination, coupled with the Novacat 301 Alpha Motion ED Pro front mower, offers a total maximum working width of 9.56m (31.5ft).

Previously fitting Comer cutter bars, the Austrian manufacturer has been building its own cutter bars in house for the past number of years.

Noel is impressed with the quality in the build of the fully welded cutter bar. Each of the front seven and eight rear discs are fitted with Pöttinger’s quick-change blade, an extra well worth opting for, he noted.

The 28cm-deep cutter bar contains hardened spur drive gears running in a straight line. Stub shafts are bolted to the gears while both these and the disc hub can be removed as one unit from the cutter bar in the event of a breakdown.

Each mower is fitted with what Pöttinger calls the Extra Dry tine conditioner, a fixed tine arrangement mounted in a spiral configuration. Each tine is fixed to the rotor with a bushing.

“I like the idea of the fixed tines as opposed to moving tines, as wear is generally eliminated if something isn’t moving,” Noel said.

Both swarthing belts are driven off the tractor’s own hydraulics, with belt speed controlled from the tractor’s Isobus terminal.

The reason for the swarthers being powered separately from the on-board hydraulic pump is so that both can be easily removed if not in use, reducing the rear unit’s overall weight by 700kg. Noel noted how the swarthers were a worthwhile addition leaving his customers with more options in challenging conditions.

Drive line and ground following

The Novacat A10 combination unit is fitted with Pöttinger’s Y Drive input gearbox equipped with bevel gears and, more noticeably, the mounting of left and right mower drive shafts on the opposing side for each mower.

The reason for this, the firm says, is so that longer standard shafts can be used, allowing a decreased working angle as a result.

Noel said that the mower’s driveline sits up well into the frame, removing the possibility of damage when the mowers are low on the lift arms.

Noel likes both the front and rear units’ ground-following ability, a feature that drew him towards Pöttinger initially.

Noel has the option of adjusting bed pressures manually from the Isobus terminal

Regardless of the rear unit’s working width, hydraulic cutter bar weight alleviation automatically adjusts cutter bar ground pressure. For example, the further the mowers are extended, the more their individual pressures are automatically on the go to keep equal running weight on each mower at all times.

Noel has the option of adjusting bed pressures manually from the Isobus terminal, adjusting the mowers to run lighter or heavier depending on ground conditions.

He feels that the front mower’s flotation and ground-following characteristics are among the best on the market. Its pull-type design and compact frame allows for impressive ground following, regardless of terrain, leaving good visibility from the cab.

Verdict

Noel required a higher-output mower combination that could provide him with almost all of the benefits of going self-propelled, making use of his tractor’s Isobus capabilities. So far, the Novacat A10 rear unit and Novacat 301 Alpha Motion Pro ED front mower have provided him with what he needs. Mowing with GPS has helped him to get the most out of the combination in addition to the hydraulic width adjustment working with the tractor’s steering position to eliminate misses on bends and headlands.

Granted, I’ve probably spent more than what a Big M would have cost

“The mowers, given their specification, go hand in hand with the Fendt 828. Typically, in good size fields, I’d average between 15 and 20 acres/hr which is impressive output for just one tractor. Granted, I’ve probably spent more than what a Big M would have cost but when it comes to upgrading next time round, I can update the tractor and mowers at different times.”

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