Three-Rotor Rake

Raking 9.7 metres (31'10") into one swath takes a machine that works in full sync. Therefore we designed Swadro TS 970 with rotors of different diameters and that rotate at different speeds. The leading rotor has 10 tine arms whereas the rotors in the middle and at the rear have 13. At the same time, the leading rotor and the rotor in the middle spin at higher speeds than the unit at the rear – a detail that results in a smoother crop flow. Each tine arm on the lower-speed rotor carries 5 double tines which deliver the necessary vigour to handle those masses of crops and form the windrow.

As conditions may vary within one field it is essential to adapt the working height instantly. In this case, the driver operates weatherproof electric servomotors from an electric control box. The work height is separately set for each individual rotor and is displayed on the control unit.

The crop deflector curtain on Swadro 970 moves hydraulically out of work (option). The hydraulic control allows operators to raise the curtain conveniently when producing a double swath. So no material is pulled from the previous swath and the following harvesters work more efficiently. The curtain is folded automatically when the rotors fold into transport position to reduce the transport height to less than 4 m. It resumes its previous position when the rake is lowered into work.

A hydraulic cylinder on the headstock (left photo) alters the steering angle of the running gear in an easy and convenient way (right photo). This Ackermann steering system makes for optimum castering and agile turns.

In this type of harvest chain, no crop is run on, because the tractor that is pulling the Swadro TS 970 runs in the wheelings of the KRONE BiG M high-capacity mower conditioner.