It is why he opted for a front-mounted 3632FT and rear-mounted 3232MT mower conditioners from Kverneland, equipped with semi-swinging steel tine conditioners. Both mowers use eight-disc cutting beds, each covering a 3.2m working width and were supplied by R&R Machinery, formerly Ross of Lanark, to replace a pair of nylon tined models at Bankhead Farm. The seasonal workload varies for DMR Marshall Agri Contracts, and the farm’s latest pair of mowers have cut through just over 1,000 acres in two seasons, and are still on their original blades. Mowing comprises a mix of modest first and second cuts, and some heavy single cut crops ready for baling, with power provided by an MF7719 Dyna VT.
“We don’t have the biggest of fields, so folding up and moving to the next field has to be quick and easy,” he says. “I like the way the rear mower folds past vertical, to tuck in behind the tractor, which makes it easy to negotiate gateways and narrow lanes.” David says the mowers match up really well and produce a clean cut. “The front mower is set on an A-frame, with the rear mower using a hydraulic top link,” he says. “So it’s very easy to match up the stubble heights and leave a clean cut.” The decision to set the conditioner hoods to swath or spread are influenced by the weather and prevailing field conditions. “If it’s wet, I’ll leave grass in a swath and ted the crop once the ground dries,” he says. “But if its dry underneath, I’ll spread the grass off the mowers and avoid tedding. These mowers provide a straightforward and versatile solution for me and my customers.”
