Kverneland has identified what it says is a gap in the market for heavy-duty tractor-mounted mower-conditioners. And, not surprisingly, the Danish company has come up with a product to plug that gap.

Taarup 3100-series mowers are available as 2.4m, 2.8m and 3.2m wide versions and are being promoted by the firm as a cheaper alternative to high-output trailed machines.

“Combining a front-mounted 3.2m mower with the new 3.2m 3132 produces a 6m working width for about 19,500,” says Daniel Crowe, Taarup specialist.

“Compared with spending nearly 50,000 on a trailed 6m mower it looks a particularly attractive option, even after you”ve paid for a front-linkage and pto.”

3100 mower-conditioners use the same disc-bed as previous 3000-series models but carry a number of new features. Spring-based bed suspension has been replaced by an electro-hydraulic float system, which is said to be easier to adjust.

A new flip-over hood is user to facilitate tool-less changes between swathing and full-width spreading and the conditioner is now belt-driven rather than using a chain. It can also be equipped with plastic conditioning tines to keep operating weight down for smaller tractors.

Prices start from 7860 for the 2.4m 3124 model. nery@rbi.co.uk