Farmers and contractors using bigger tractors running on wider tyres have prompted Bomford Turner to develop a longer-reach version of the Hawk Evo Power Plus flail mower for hedge and verge trimming.

Previously, this top-spec Hawk Evo, with its telescopic arm and 94deg power slew, came with either a 6m or 7m maximum reach, measured to the end of the flail head horizontal on the ground.

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The latest model takes that dimension to 7.52m, with the same 900mm telescopic section but with more metal in both parts of the arm to maintain similar geometry and, in particular, the ability to bring the head in close to the tractor.

This added stretch will regain some of the reach lost to 710 and wider tyres on tractors that are also physically bigger, for situations such as trimming a hedge or grass verge across a ditch.

More power required

The upgrade has added just 60kg to the overall weight of the machine, at 1,840kg, but ups the minimum tractor power recommended from 100hp to 120hp. It also requires a bit more mass to counter the effect of that extra weight at full reach.

Rear mounting is by axle brackets or the tractor linkage, using a fourth link stabiliser bar.

Like the existing versions, the Hawk Evo 7.5P Power Plus comes with a 125-litre/min twin gear pump as standard, along with electronic rotor reverse and electronic head and arm float.

Bomford Turner’s intelligent control system, ICS4, is also part of the package, providing a fully proportional compact joystick, programmable hydraulic cylinder speeds, and functions such as grease and oil change reminders displayed on a large colour LCD screen.

A 1.25m Pro-Trim head with 150mm diameter roller (which can have hydraulic height adjustment) is standard, but buyers can upgrade to a 1.5m Pro-Trim or a 1.2m version with a drop-out rotor for speedier changes of flail type.

List price of the 7.5m Hawk Evo is £54,900.