For neatly laid swaths that a baler, forage harvester or silage wagon can easily follow through corners, Pottinger’s latest tractor-mounted rake behaves like a trailed unit.

The two-rotor Top V 6520 C features a pivoting headstock that allows it to perform this trick, and it is kept to an in-line alignment on straight runs by mechanical stabiliser struts on each side.

See also: Driver’s view: Contractor rates pre-production Claas Jaguar 1200

These prevent the machine from swaying from side to side or from trying to overtake the tractor on steep downhill stretches. And when lifted on the three-point linkage at a headland, the rotor frame is gently centred behind the tractor with sufficient clearance to avoid tampering with existing swaths.

Covering mechanically adjusted working widths from 5.9m to 6.5m and swaths from 1m to 1.6m wide to suit following equipment, the rake runs on tandem-axle wheels to complement the floating rotor suspension’s three-dimensional ground tracking.

For additional control, Pottinger’s Multitast jockey wheel can be added. Mounted on the headstock, it’s designed to keep the machine riding over bumps to keep as much contaminating soil out of the swath as possible.