Bale wrapping specialist Tanco has broken convention with its new range of triple mower-conditioners by fitting the beds to a semi-mounted chassis.

There are two Autocut models to pick from – the 8.9m-wide M9 and 9.8m M10 – and both fold horizontally to keep transport width within 2.7m and height to just 2m.

But the main advantage of the trailed setup is the improved weight distribution. The rear 550/50 R17 wheels take the burden off the tractor, which has to carry only 1.4t of the M9’s 3.4t total weight and 1.6t in the case of the 3.6t M10.

That’s significantly less than a big set of triples and, as a result, the two require less horsepower to run – Tanco suggests 180hp and 200hp, respectively.

The lower centre of gravity should also reduce sway and bounce on the road, and the chassis is fitted with a mechanical linkage that keeps the mower wheels following those of the tractor.

An oversteer function can be engaged to provide tighter turning when swinging into field gateways, which the company reckons makes the outfit more manoeuvrable than a mounted equivalent.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

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The M10 on show at Scotgrass carries nine twin-blade, 528mm discs on each heavy-duty Comer bed, and there is a Shear Hub system to protect the driveline should it collide with a foreign object.

Hydro-pneumatic bed suspension is standard and accumulators on the slewing rams form a break-back mechanism. The pivots for these are set at a slight angle so that the beds lift as they are knocked back to ride over an obstacle.

At the rear are V-shaped steel tine conditioners that swing against a Hardox stop and these have speed settings of 850rpm and 1,000rpm.

The pull-type front M3 has seven discs for a 2.8m working width, a 2.95m transport width and weighs 1,200kg.

The company now has 12 units working on farms in Ireland, as well as demo machines with the likes of Redlynch and Parris Tractors in the UK.

List price for the M9 is £55,000, the M10 is £62,000 and the front M3 costs £20,000.