ON SHOW for the first time…Claas’ 480hp monster mower – the Cougar – cutting grass in plots at the Grassland event near Stoneleigh, Warks on Wednesday (May 18).

The unit combines five standard Disco mower-conditioners to produce a 14m wide swath of cut grass. For transport the mowers fold up and the cab rotates to give clear forwards visibility.

So far Claas has built 12 Cougars mainly for the German and Dutch markets – one is working in Lancs for contractor Harry Wilson. Outputs of 400-500acres a day should make the machine’s £225,000 price tag a little easier to bear.