A new 4.2m rear-mounted mower, the Disco 4400 Contour, has been added to the Disco range, featuring central pivoting and Active Float as well as a vector floating system.
It has been designed based on customer demand for wide rear mowers for use in combination with front mowers. This new model folds 120 degrees for safe, vertical road transport at a height of less than 4m and a space-saving storage position.
The 4.2m Max Cut mower bed features a double-swath laying option, achieved by mounting two swath drums on the 4th and 5th disc to create one narrow and one wide swath. This is said to be particularly useful on wet or soft ground as it avoids driving on the forage.
The bed is pivot-mounted at its centre of gravity. An adjustable spiral spring ensures that it comes into work evenly, while two vibration dampers stabilise the machine as it is raised. Two pivot points on the arm at right angles to the direction of travel for ground-contour following and when working on banks.
Active Float suspension allows the ground pressure to be adjusted from the cab via a spool valve. A gauge on the headstock shows the current pressure. When in the parked position, a mechanical latch disables the suspension system so that pressure is maintained in the circuit. Alternatively, the pressure can be reduced so that the mechanical lock is not required.
It also features hydraulic, non-stop collision protection as standard. In the event of a collision, the mower bar swings back and over the obstacle due to the rotating pun inclined at an angle of 15 degrees. Oil from the collision protection system is forced into the suspension ram to further depressurise the mower bed. Claas states that this provides effective protection from serious damage and the mower automatically swings back into its working position.
A unique feature is the vector folding system, which allows the machine to fold vertically to 120 degrees. It can then be folded backwards slightly using the hydraulic break back ram, which allows the mower to lean backwards to reduce the transport height to less than 4m. At the same time, its position shifts the centre of gravity to the tractor’s longitudinal axle.
This reduces the load on the front axle by around 50, which has a positive impact on the steering behaviour. Furthermore, in the transport position, the machine hardly swings back at all, making it safer on the road and when negotiating tight bends.
For more information go to www.claas.co.uk