THE BAR has been raised for Australian mowers with the recent launch of the 11.2 metre Krone BiG M450CR self-propelled mower by Kubota Australia.
Unveiled though a live cross video at the 2018 Kubota dealer conference held in Hobart, this model, specifically designed for the Australian and North American markets, is part of the fifth generation BiG M 45 series, launched last year, and features the widest cut in the range, up over a metre on the 2017 M450CV model.
Kubota, Krone product manager, Lars Pasedag said the machine also improves upon flail conditioner released in the previous model.
“We haven’t seen a mower like this in Australia before. This CR model offers a new super roller conditioner. It’s called an M-Roll, as the lug of the roller has two pressure points to give the crop extra crimping while it travels through the roller,” he said.
“This process delivers quicker drying time for the crop in the field to get the hay into a bale and safely off the paddock compared to standard roller conditioners.”
Echuca CIH, dealer principal, Darren Stephenson, coordinated the sale of the first Krone BiG M450CR, prior to launch, and said the client, Clint Cail had been impressed with the new model.
“His existing BiG M 400 was an eight-yearold model that was due for an update. This mower is much more powerful, and it was its wider cut, updated interior and super conditioner roller that caught Clint’s eye over previous models,” he said.
“Clint said the mower has been great so far, and has noticed how smooth it is out on the field. The dry weather forced his Jenhawill Baling business to end their season early but the mower definitely made the harvest of more than 6,000 hectares a more efficient process.”
In line with upgrades to the 2017 model, the M450CR features a six-cylinder, inline Liebherr engine with PowerSplit control delivering 335 kilowatts (449 horsepower) of power, with a safe working speed of up to 25 kilometres an hour and a travelling speed of 40km an hour.
Kubota said the mower is driven by wheel motors, which allows it to turn through a 50 degree angle, ensuring efficiency in smaller fields.
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