Brush-Type Mower Conditioner

Brush-Type Mower Conditioner HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers (38) 5-5-7 The world's first brush-type mower conditioner was exhibited at the Royal Show by Archie Kidd, Ltd. The new conditioning system is claimed to have many advantages over steel-rubber ribbed rollers, and steel tines, which together account for the bulk of the conditioners now on the market. "We already have a licensing argreement with two other manufacturers who have introduced mowers equipped with our patented, new brush-type conditioner. Several U.S. companies are taking a close look at it," Richard Burman, sales director, told FARM SHOW. The brush-type device is made up of tufted polypropylene brushes. "It does not break or over-bruise, but gently scratches the leaves to take off most of the wax. A fluffy, light swath is left behind the machine," Burman explains. "Field tests show that when a brush conditioner is used, drying time is 55% less than when no conditioner is used. When compared with steel-tine conditioners, our brush system produced 22% faster drying." The Archie Kidd Co. offers the brush conditioner on a 2-drum rotary mower. A pair of contra-rotating rollers are each equipped with 6 rolls of tufted brushes and the rollers positioned to give a 50 mm. mesh. Each roll has 8 tufts, with each tuft comprising a total of 10 filaments of long-life polypropylene. The conditioner is pto-driven with power to the top roller, and a gear drive to the bottom roller. Two different speeds are possible (1080 rpm and 730 rpm) for varying the rate of conditioning. Changing from one speed to another is a simple process of changing the drive sprockets. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Richard Burman, sales director, Archie Kidd Ltd., Devizes, Wilts, England SN102HP (ph 03802361).

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