The new large centre-swath rake for professionals from Pottinger

• Pöttinger has added the new TOP 882 C to their range of popular centre-swath rakes. As with its predecessor, the TOP 842 C, the best ground tracking, manoeuvrability, and high output are guaranteed
• Pöttinger has added another new product to its grassland range: The new MERGENTO VT 9220 merger (with working widths of up to 9.20 metres for a central swath and 8.70 metres for a side swath) is designed for alfalfa, clover, and a wide variety of crops from permanent grassland to straw
• The new specialist for all types of forage will be available from 01 August 2022

The TOP 882 C demonstrates its full capabilities at a working width of 7.70 to 8.80 metres. The longer boom allows very flexible swath width adjustment between 1.30 and 2.60 metres. Flexibility that offers the advantage of wider swaths for forage harvesters and narrower swath widths for small loader wagons. Despite the impressive rotor diameter of 3.70 metres, the transport height without removing the tine arms is still below 4.00 metres.

The weight alleviation springs contribute to particularly smooth running and the best soil conservation. The large tyres on the chassis ensure optimum stability. With its unique, proven PÖTTINGER MULTITAST jockey wheel system, the 5-wheel chassis delivers the best ground tracking and as a result less dirt ingress in the forage. The MULTITAST wheel tracks the ground immediately in front of the tines and responds to each undulation. It also greatly increases the size of the rotor’s support triangle. This makes the rotors run even more smoothly and suppresses vibrations.

On the new TOP 882 C, the FLOWTAST glide bar is available as an option. Replacing the rotor chassis wheels, this glide bar offers the best reliability in challenging ground conditions. FLOWTAST glides effortlessly over even deep ruts, holes, and wheel marks. The glide bar is especially suitable for soft and damp soil conditions.

The rake is extremely easy to operate. The required working width is set hydraulically. The lifting sequence can be individually adapted. The higher the setting, the larger the swaths that can be driven over without disruption. That is the best viable way to protect the forage. The lower the clearance height, the faster the height is reached at the headland and the more time is saved. For uniform lifting of the rotors, the machine is equipped with a flow splitter as standard. An individual rotor lifting system with electrical preselect for raking headlands and field borders is also available as an option.

The distinctive feature of the PÖTTINGER tines is that they pass just above the ground directly below tine carrier at only a slight angle. Even with large volumes of forage, they remain close to the ground and sweep up all the matter. The tines are angled forward in a dynamic position. Due to this shape, they actively lift the forage away from the ground – like a pitchfork. As more forage is collected, it rides up the tine unhindered. Dirt ingress and disintegration losses are minimised as a result.

With its new features, and functions that have been proven repeatedly, the new TOP 882 C centre-swath rake guarantees even more output, stability and reliability while conserving the forage and soil.

Pöttinger has added yet another new product to its extensive grassland range: The new MERGENTO VT 9220 merger (with working widths of up to 9.20 metres for a central swath and 8.70 metres for a side swath) is designed for alfalfa, clover, and a wide variety of crops from permanent grassland to straw.

MERGENTO collects the forage using the pick-up. Meanwhile, dirt and stones remain on the ground. Without further contact with the ground, cross conveyor belts transport the forage to the swath. Especially with leafy, dry crops, the Pöttinger merger minimizes disintegration losses because the forage is not raked across the ground. The overall result is more energy, more crude protein and less crude ash in the forage.

The heart of the MERGENTO is the conveyor unit. The perfectly coordinated system ensures a consistent flow of forage and perfectly formed swaths even with short crop material. The conveyor unit consists of the pick-up, the crop press roller and the cross conveyor belt.

The six-row controlled pick-up delivers maximum collection performance with minimum forage contamination. The crop is gently collected from the ground by the successive pick-up tines and fed to the cross conveyor belt. The cam track makes the tines retract just before the belt. The transfer point is 120 mm higher than the cross conveyor belt. This allows the forage to fall freely onto the conveyor belt.  In addition, the flow of crop pushes the forage onto the belt.

The conveyor unit also operates reliably when driving downhill and with a short cut crop. The chassis rollers are positioned very close to the point the tines contact the crop and ensure perfect ground tracking. The complete freedom of movement provided by the centre pivot mounting of the belt units ensures constant weight alleviation over the entire working width.

It is also the basis for 3D ground tracking. The ingenious design of the boom with three hydraulic cylinders reacts in a split second to any bumps in the ground. In the centre-swath mode, the vertical freedom of movement is +475 mm to -195 mm while lateral float is +30 degrees to -13 degrees. The inclination in the direction of travel can move from +11.5 to -0 degrees.

The MERGENTO switches the cross conveyor belts off automatically at the headland, and start running automatically at the beginning of the next pass. This system guarantees each swath starts and finishes tidily. It also saves a lot of time because there is no need to empty the cross conveyor belt at the end of the swath. The delay time for switching the conveyor belts on and off can be conveniently adjusted using the terminal in the tractor cab.