Swath-merging augers are now available on Pottinger’s non-conditioning Novacat V 9200 butterfly disc mowers.

The Cross Flow (CF) grouper system is cheaper, lighter and less power hungry than belt-based mergers, which rely on a conditioner to flick the material from the cutterbar to the conveyors.

In work, the 500mm-diameter augers, which are enclosed neatly within the mower bodies, channel the crop into a central swath ready to be picked up.

See also: 8 simple 3m plain disc mower options for grass farmers

Going without a conditioner element isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but adding the Cross Flow allows delicate crops to be transported gently from sward to swath through a closed trough than should minimise forage losses and dirt ingress.

There’s also the option of raising the groupers out of work, leaving the grass spread across the full width to afford it more drying time.

Working width of the V 9200 ranges from 8.95m to 9.2m and the CF version weighs 2,900kg – almost a ton more than the bare model.

It’ll take an extra 10hp to run, with Pottinger estimating that 150hp should suffice, plus the extra power required for the front-mounted mower unit.

Claas debuted its take on the concept last month, with the launch of its 9.1m Disco 9300 Direct Swather.

List price of the Novacat V 9200 is £71,584.