Air-Powered Windrower Has Fewer Moving Parts

2023 - Volume #47, Issue #6, Page #27

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To increase shredding and windrowing efficiency, Loftness developed a 20 ft. wide, “air delivery,” side discharge shredder and windrower as an option to typical center delivery equipment.
  “End or side delivery adds efficiency because we can take 20 ft. of material and transfer it all to one end,” says Bill Schafer, Loftness Product Manager. “When we return on the next cut, we’re taking another 20 ft. and adding it to the single windrow.”
  While most traditional windrowers use mechanical means such as augers, drag chains, or rubber draper belts to convey crop material, the updated Loftness unit uses airflow generated by the combination knives. The unique shape and careful placement of the rear wing create a vortex action that keeps the product in suspension and directs it to a diffuser at the end of the machine.
  “By adding to the knife count, this combination of knives gives us the right amount of airflow for delivery and chopping action for sizing the product, all while allowing faster ground speeds than previous models,” Schafer says. “We get the cutting action we want and a controlled amount of air running through the machine.”
  Clogging issues from augers and other mechanical transfer equipment are minimized or even eliminated. Replacing mechanical equipment with an air conveying system also reduces the number of moving parts to maintain.
  “It does a good job, picks the material up nice and clean, with less ash in the product compared to chopping and raking, which is another method sometimes used to harvest stalks,” Schafer says.
  The Loftness air-powered units are currently offered in a 20 ft. width, are manufactured in Hector, Minn., and distributed through their North American dealers.
  Schafer encourages interested farmers to contact them through the website or their closest dealer for information and pricing details.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Loftness, 650 S. Main St., Hector, Minn. 55342 (ph 800-828-7624; info@loftness.com; www.loftness.com).

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Air-Powered Windrower Has Fewer Moving Parts FORAGE HARVESTERS To increase shredding and windrowing efficiency Loftness developed a 20 ft wide “air delivery ” side discharge shredder and windrower as an option to typical center delivery equipment “End or side delivery adds efficiency because we can take 20 ft of material and transfer it all to one end ” says Bill Schafer Loftness Product Manager “When we return on the next cut we’re taking another 20 ft and adding it to the single windrow ” While most traditional windrowers use mechanical means such as augers drag chains or rubber draper belts to convey crop material the updated Loftness unit uses airflow generated by the combination knives The unique shape and careful placement of the rear wing create a vortex action that keeps the product in suspension and directs it to a diffuser at the end of the machine “By adding to the knife count this combination of knives gives us the right amount of airflow for delivery and chopping action for sizing the product all while allowing faster ground speeds than previous models ” Schafer says “We get the cutting action we want and a controlled amount of air running through the machine ” Clogging issues from augers and other mechanical transfer equipment are minimized or even eliminated Replacing mechanical equipment with an air conveying system also reduces the number of moving parts to maintain “It does a good job picks the material up nice and clean with less ash in the product compared to chopping and raking which is another method sometimes used to harvest stalks ” Schafer says The Loftness air-powered units are currently offered in a 20 ft width are manufactured in Hector Minn and distributed through their North American dealers Schafer encourages interested farmers to contact them through the website or their closest dealer for information and pricing details Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Loftness 650 S Main St Hector Minn 55342 ph 800-828-7624; info@loftness com; www loftness com

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