New hedge cutters on the Irish market

This year Bomford Turner has updated its flagship telescopic variable forward arm hedge cutter, the Buzzard Telescopic VFA.

The updated model has a reach of 7.25m to 8m. It has a 125 litre per minute cutting system that produces 74hp at the cutting head. The machine comes with a choice of drive systems. The system used throughout the current Buzzard range can run a variety of cutting attachments. Some of these include the standard 1200 Pro Cut cutting head, the 1500 up to 2000 heads, rotary heads, or saws.

The main advantage of the Tele VFA arm system is the ability to cut alongside the tractor cab. The arm can travel up to 2.1m forward, and 1.1m backwards. The arm travel allows the cutting head to place in behind the rear tractor wheel for use in confined areas.

The hedge cutter comes with a choice of controls including the top of the range ICS fully proportional. This comes with additional accessories such as warning arrows, and debris blowers. Standard features include parallel linkage, oil cooler, arm float and head float, cutting head transport bracket, hydraulic breakout and LED road lighting.

The latest Kuhn Agri-Longer GII range of hedge cutters with a new mechanical safety system will replace all models in the range as of 1 September 2019.

The GII range with the mechanical safety system is composed of two models with a vertical reach of 4.2m for the 4245M model and 4.7m for the 4745M version. The range has been designed for farmers.

The hedge cutter has a 220° head rotation while the cylinder of the outer boom is positioned above the arm. It has a 40hp hydraulic system, and a 1m rotor. The head is fitted with a reversible rotor and equipped with a 133mm sensor roller.

The new GII models are equipped with an air-cooled radiator as standard. The arm of the new Agri-Longer GII models is composed of a welded structure, the same as Kuhn’s higher-spec contractor machines.

It comes with the choice of two types of controls, either remote cable controls (T models) or electrically operated joystick (E models).

They also have a bumper with built-in lighting, enclosed hydraulic components, protected hydraulic hoses on the arm, lift float, floating head, two-way rotor rotation and a pendulum link safety system.

The McConnel 75 Series recently replaced the 1000 series range of hedge cutters. The 75 series is available in five reach sizes from 5.6m up to 8m. The range is powered by a 70hp hydraulic system.

McConnel has put a lot of emphasis on the revamped oil tank and cooling system. The company claims it can deliver a high level of de-aeration performance, produce a low overall flow velocity and eliminate areas in the tank where resting oil can concentrate.

The 75 series comes with the choice of four different armsets – standard, telescopic, variable forward reach, or the telescopic variable forward reach. The new Tele-VFR armset enables the operator to position the flail head alongside the cab for extra reach.

The new series has been designed in harmony with Revolution, which is McConnel’s eight-function proportional control system. The series also comes with the Easy Drive System (EDS).

EDS allows for faster hands-free verge mowing speeds in undulating terrain by automatically adjusting to the contours of the ground. McConel claims it can increase working speeds by up to 4.5 times the norm.

Spearhead has introduced a new model to its Twiga range of classic hedge cutters.

Traditionally known as being among Spearhead’s more basic specification machines, the company’s Twiga classic hedge and verge cutters include a model with variable forward reach (VFR) technology. Up until now, VFR was restricted to the company’s top-end mowers.

The new VFR model means the operator can move the arm forward and work within his or her outer field of vision.

The Twiga Classic VFR operates a 65hp hydraulic system. The Pilot Hydraulic Proportional Control System offers fingertip control. It comes with a selection of attachments, including flail heads, cutter bars and saw heads. This three-point linkage mounted machine has an oil tank capacity of 190 litres.

Twose’s flagship 5-series offers four reach options from 5.7m to 6.7m, 65hp independent hydraulic systems and a choice of controls. The 5-series is built for contractor use. It has a high-capacity 200 litre oil reservoir and hydraulic oil cooler which is fitted as standard.

Three different armsets are available – standard, telescopic (adding or retracting up to 1.0m of extra reach) and a Cranked Forward Reach (CFR).

Control options include simple progressive cable control, low pressure hydraulic joystick or electric proportional joystick with touchpad for additional functionality. Cutting attachments include 1.2m and 1.5m sliding mount flail heads with choice of flails and a selection of cutterbar and saw heads.