KUHN FC 13460 RA mower conditioner Machine Spotlight

Australia is home to some large objects, like Uluru and the Parkes radio telescope, but KUHN Equipment’s FC 13460 RA mower conditioner holds its own in any company.

This massive mower, with up to 13.4m of cutting span was released in Europe in 2022 and made its Australian debut at the recent KUHN 2023 Expo in July 2023.

The event venue was a grazing property outside Toowoomba; an area stricken by drought until a year ago. It has since then experienced excellent rainfall which helped promote pasture growth and provided plenty of fodder for the mighty mower to slash.

The FC 13460 RA took centre-stage among an array of KUHN equipment which was spread over several hectares, allowing dealers and equipment users to compare features.

The FC 13460 RA is the largest mower conditioner in KUHN’s current range and the largest ‘butterfly’ design produced in the company’s history.

Ideally suited to contractors or operators running large operations, the FC 13460 RA is able to maintain even cut heights of 35 to 65mm over a cutting width of 12.4 to 13.4m.

It weighs 8.4 tonnes and requires tractors with a minimum output of 250hp to run.

The FC 13460 RA has a Lift Control suspension system that ensures constant, even pressure over the ground being mowed, allowing the machine to follow ground contours closely to provide an even cut.

Its selector lever gearbox varies cutter speed to cope with changes in fodder type.

Wide floatation-type tyres minimise soil compaction and allow the mower to be operated even where the ground beneath the material being cut is wet.

A telescopic axle is standard on the FC 13460 RA and contributes in several ways to the mower’s effectiveness and safety.

When working, the axle can be extended to its full width, helping create a wider and more even swathe for improved drying and baling. This is particularly useful when operating the mower transversely on sloping ground.

When the machine is being transported, the axle can be minimised to a width of 3m, with overall height requirements below 4m.

Tractors in different jurisdictions are subject to differing axle load regulations, so the ability to enhance tow vehicle stability was seen as especially important.

“What we did was use wide section 22.5 tyres and spread the weight of the machine by mounting the axle well behind the mowing unit,” said Kuhn Product Manager, Henning Felschen.

“Although the mower weighs more than eight tonnes, the weight on the axle is just 4.8 tonnes.”

Although axle width can be reduced to comply with a 3m transport width, it extends to 4m when in use which helps with stability.

The OPTIDISC ELITE cutter bar uses four groups of six cutter discs with KUHN’s FAST-FIT release system.

This patented bar design provides greater overlap between the discs to enable a better flow of forage. With the adjustable cutting width and the telescopic axle, forage for baling can be grouped in widths ranging from 1.8 to 3m.

If the mower hits an obstacle like a rock or stump, KUHN’s exclusive Lift Control system releases hydraulic pressure to deflect the mower unit. Once the obstacle has been cleared, previous ground pressure is restored.

Using separate cutting units ensures, in the event of serious damage to one side of the mower unit, that it can be retracted while mowing continues with the undamaged bar.

The mower can be operated using KUHN’s CCI 800 terminal or can be specified with CCI 1200 as an option. Alternatively, an ISOBUS compatible on-board terminal can be used.

Most operations can be controlled using the CC1 A3 Joystick, which offers easier and more ergonomic control.

Operators can adjust from within the tractor cab the rate at which forage is transferred via the hydraulically served conveyors. This is especially helpful if the crop being worked needs to dry before baling.

Onboard control also allows the cut height to be varied and mower arms to be lifted independently of each other.

The standout operational benefit of this mower, KUHN said, is a reduction in servicing requirements thanks to the Triple 5-inch knives that will last longer than other systems and require less maintenance.

The OPTIDISC ELITE cutter bar will also save operators time as it requires no maintenance and uses the FAST-FIT quick knife release system.

Levering a spring plate exposes the knife unit and replacement takes just a few minutes.

The bar also improves the overlap between the discs and is positioned to enable a better flow of forage and the need for less frequent clearing.

Lubrication is via centralised grease nipples and is scheduled for every 250 working hours.

Operators can clean the machine with compressed air or a pressure washer and access the cutting heads for cleaning or repair by removing the protective curtain.