Digital control system adds to cutting edge
Digital control system adds to cutting edge
JUST when it would have been fair to believe that hedge cutter and verge mower design had reached its zenith, along comes yet another advance.
Bomford has introduced its first digital proportional control system which has five functions operated from a single joystick.
Fitted as standard to the companys Contractor Series hedge and verge reach mowers, the joystick controls lift, reach, head angling, slew and, when fitted, telescopic extension.
All controls are proportional to the movement of the joystick and can be programmed to be faster or slowing acting to suit operating conditions.
The three models in the Contractor Series offer reaches of 5.6m, 6.4m and 7.2m and can all be supplied with parallel geometry. The 5.6m model is available with a 1.5m forward arm configuration to position the flail head in line with the operator, while telescopic arms are offered on the 6.4m and 7.2m models.
Bomford has also made some changes to the flail head. Belt driven in 1.2m or 1.5m builds, the main change is to be found in the rotor department which now has its flail attachment points arranged in a spiral.
The company says this allows different flail types to be fitted and provides an 80% flail overlap. It also smoothes out power requirements and provides some protection for shackle retaining nuts and bolts so that a spanner can still be used to remove them.
Other features include use of a double skin for the cowling, anti-wrap rotor ends and a new belt tensioning system. Changing the drive belt pulley allows rotor speed to be changed to accommodate grass trimming and hedge cutting operations and its also possible to reverse the rotor direction via an in cab control.
The 5.6m model – the B56 – is listed at £18,225.
Further developments are also planned by Bomford with the launch later this year of an active arm float system to allow faster verge trimming.
But there still remains the final challenge for all hedge cutter manufacturers – a system which maintains the flail head at a set height, irrespective of changes in tractor movement. *