It’s not just tractor makers that are trying to cut fuel consumption – implement manufacturers are also looking for ways to make their kit more fuel efficient, too.

Vicon says its latest plain disc mowers, destined for the 2013 silage season, give good cutting quality at low power requirements.

Badged as the Extra 117, Extra 122 and Extra 124, these new entry-level mowers offer working widths of 1.7m, 2.2m and 2.4m and replace the CM1700, CM2200 and CM2400 models.

All have a fully-welded bed design that uses a three-bladed cutting disc system, which is said to encourage faster regrowth from grass stubbles. Fabricated from two C-channels welded together for rigidity, the mower bed also has increased oil capacity to give cooler running and more efficient lubrication.

All three mowers use a spring-loaded break-away system, while hydraulic headland lift means the mower can be raised without having to move the tractor link arms.

All these design improvements add up to a lower power requirement, says the company, with the Extra 100 Series needing a tractor of just 50hp to operate.

Mower beds are also checked for frictional losses so that they don’t need an excessive amount of power to operate.

Prices are £4,180 for the Extra 117, £5,225 for the Extra 122 and £5,930 for the Extra 124.