Six years since Tanco took on the development of the trailed rear mowing concept, the Carlow manufacturer has finally brought the product to market and feedback from contractors to date is very positive.

Taking a different approach to traditional butterfly mowers, the M9 trailed chassis carries the rear mower beds. The fact that the mowers sit on their own chassis and axle means there’s less weight on the tractor’s back end and rear axle. Tanco claims the 29ft version in the working position only burdens the lift arms with 1,850kg, while the 32ft version only places 1,900kg on the lift arms.

This means a lighter tractor can power the unit. Tanco claims the 29ft version can be driven with as little as 180hp to 200hp. The company says manoeuvrability is also significantly improved over a typical mounted butterfly outfit, due to the fact that the rear unit steers (up to 40°).

Weighing in at 1,200kg, the front mower has a transport width of 9.66ft (2.945m).

Rear mowers

The complete unit is available with two working widths, 29ft (8.862m) or 32ft (9.787m). The 29ft unit weighs in at 3,360kg, while the 32ft unit weighs 3,440kg. The mowers come with either quick-attach or bolt on blades.

The conditioner is designed and balanced by Tanco and is equipped with semi-swing tines. The rear mowers are fitted with a hydraulic break-back system.

The beds, gearboxes and shafts are all sourced from Comer, the well-known Italian manufacturer. The axle hubs are sourced from ADR. Meanwhile, all other components, are designed and built in-house by Tanco.

The complete unit is available with two working widths, 29ft (8.862m) version or 32ft (9.787m).

Front mower

The front “pull-type” M3 mower was designed in-house. It runs on a track system featuring a hydro-pneumatic suspension system. Tanco claims that this patented design offers 16° of travel to both the left and right, 19° of front to rear tilting, with a total of 850mm of vertical travel

The beds, gearboxes and shafts are all sourced from Comer, the well-known Italian manufacturer.

It is equipped with a seven-disc bed, which offers a 9.18ft (2.797m) cutting width. Weighing in at 1,200kg, it has a transport width of 9.66ft (2.945m). Tanco will also be displaying two bale wrappers (S200-V & 1400-V) and its popular I73 bale shear.