Show report - KUHN at FTMTA Farm Machinery Show

KUHN AT FTMTA FARM MACHINERY SHOW 2011 - SHOW REPORT

Visitors to the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show at Punchestown Agricultural Event Centre, Co. Kildare saw a wide array of KUHN equipment displayed jointly by its Irish importers.

Cork Farm Machinery Ltd, W.W. Doherty & Sons and Larkin (Dublin) Ltd (exhibiting as KUHN Sales Ireland) displayed a comprehensive range of equipment on the stand, including a number of machines that were on show in Ireland for the first time.

Fixed chamber round baler
KUHN’s recent arrival in the baler and wrapper markets will be exemplified with the inclusion of the fixed chamber FB 2135 OptiCut round baler.

One of three models in the fixed chamber range, the FB 2135 produces a 125cm diameter and 122cm wide bale. There is a 210cm pick-up option that has the 14-knife OptiCut unit cutting to 70mm and a 230cm pick-up machine with the 23-knife OptiCut unit cutting down to 45mm.

New rotary tedder range
KUHN has extended the rotary tedder options for smaller operators with the introduction of three value models at the lower end of its Gyrotedder range.

The GF 502 featured at The Farm Machinery Show, representing the range of three-point mounted models also including the GF 422 and GF 642. These machines have working widths of 4.20m (4 rotors), 5.00m (4 rotors) and 6.40m (6 rotors) respectively, extending a Gyrotedder range that already includes models with working widths from 5.2 up to 17 metres.


The new 102 series models all feature KUHN’s patented Digidrive rotor drive and are equipped with an oblique drive function for operating on headlands.

All models are equipped with balloon tyres to ensure good load-bearing capacity and good quality tedding and the rotors each have six tine arms fitted with robust 4-coil tines.

Raking efficiency
The latest addition to KUHN’s range of trailed twin rotor rakes was also on show at The Farm Machinery Show with the 7.4 – 8.0 metre GA 8121 central delivery model featuring on the KUHN Sales Ireland stand.

At its maximum operating width, the GA 8121 Gyrorake will operate effectively with the vast majority of grass harvesting machines and has the capability of producing a swath from 1.4 to 2 metres wide.


Performance is improved from earlier models by increasing the rotor size to 3.5 metres and the number of tine arms per rotor up to 12, with four tines per arm.

Good stability in work and ground-following performance is achieved through a four-wheel pivoting undercarriage under each rotor, or there is the option of KUHN’s innovative 3D suspension system. This makes the rake ideally suited to working on undulating ground and maintaining its performance when working at high speed with straw.

The two large rear wheels that are guided from the headstock for effective cornering are increased in size and have reinforced wheel columns compared with earlier models in the range. The rear wheels are spaced to allow a 2.5m track width for a centrally formed swath. Hydraulic folding reduces the GA 8121 to a transport position of 2.5 metres.

Strength and reliability is a feature of all KUHN machines, and this is enhanced in the Gyrorakes with the inclusion of the Masterdrive double reduction gearbox. Centrally located, the gearbox is totally enclosed and is designed to minimise flexing at the crown wheel and pinion gear arrangement, reducing wear and minimising the risk of breakdowns.

In addition to its twin rotor semi-mounted Gyrorakes, KUHN also has a range of single rotor mounted side delivery rakes, with working widths of 3.2 to 4.5 metres. All KUHN Gyrorakes are designed with working widths that are compatible with the company’s complete range of mowers and mower conditioners.

Drum mowers
The PZ 170 drum mower was also on show at The Farm Machinery Show to illustrate a range from KUHN that now includes rear mounted drum mowers from 1.65m to 3.3m working width as well as front mounted models and a 9.0m triple gang. Drum mower conditioners in front and rear mounted formats are also available.


The range incorporates some of the more advanced features available on this type of machine, including patented flat-sided drums with replaceable transport plates that ensure fast and effective movement of crop through the unit. Other features on certain models will include auto-reset break-away for added protection and quick fit blades for reduced down-time.

Design features to ensure good ground following and consequent close and accurate cutting will include freely rotating saucers – on all models – whilst the front mounted machines operate with a pulled suspension system again in the interests of accurate trouble-free performance.

High performance hedgecutter
KUHN’s compact yet high performance 5.5m long-reach Poly-Longer hedgecutter was a major feature at The Farm Machinery Show, being the latest introduction to the company’s developing range.

This latest model has been designed, says KUHN, to deliver the optimum combination of operator-friendly controls, reliability and clean cutting performance, and sits in between the company’s smaller Agri-Longer and larger Pro-Longer models as a mass-market machine.

Poly-Longer hedgecutters are available with a choice of single lever on/off electronic controls or electronic proportional control from a joy stick, with the latter providing the ultimate in operator-friendly operation. Overall, the Poly-Longer is robust and simple-to-operate with a 1.2m flail head that has a new compact design with a 57 hp motor. The head is fitted as standard with ‘T’ flails that operate at 2900 rpm rotor speed.


Machines have manual side shift which provides a reach from 5.0m (when centred) to 5.5m (fully shifted) and allows it to work safely and effectively in tight spaces and behind the tractor wheels. This also allows transport within the tractor width.

Hydraulic drive motors are fitted with oil coolers as standard, therefore allowing the machine to maintain full operating power in the most demanding working conditions and with the additional benefit of a reduced oil capacity that ultimately cuts running costs. There are separate and fully independent pumps serving the rotor and arm movements.

Parallelogram arm construction means that a single control operates the main and outer booms simultaneously, and improves the clearance as the ram is located within the structure. All hinges are flanged and protected for minimal play and good hose holding. All machine joints, including the hydraulic rams, are enclosed and greased-for-life for minimum wear and maximum durability. The Poly-Longer has an hydraulic safety break back system with 120º power slew angle. Hoses are protected through either metal casing or braided sleeves and a new pivoting plate feature reduces wear at a key point.

The Poly-Longer is designed with its hitching system close to the frame of the machine, which shortens the overhang and aids stability and operator visibility. The PTO shaft is centred, which reduces noise and extends component life. Road lights are included as standard on all models.

Haybob meets continuing demand for dual purpose workhorse
The Haybob twin rotor tedder/rake combination that remains the mainstay of so many smaller hay and silage making operations was also shown by KUHN’s importers at The Farm Machinery Show.

Simple to operate and with a quick transition between tedding and raking, both models in the range offer a standard three metre spreading and tedding working width. The smaller Haybob 300 operates as a central delivery rake (3m working width) and the Haybob 360 is a side delivery rake (3.6m).

The two models have minimum PTO power requirements of 15hp and 20hp respectively, weighing 300 and 345kg.