Units pto does treble…
Units pto does treble…
THE latest innovation on the Dowdeswell stand was a carriage unit capable of operating three pto-powered implements at the same time.
The aptly designated Triple Carriage can be equipped with three 1.78m (70in) Powavator rotary cultivators with rear bed-forming bodies to create three beds in one pass.
Alternatively, the unit can be linked to three of Dowdeswells Bedvator powered bed makers which are available in widths of 1.6m, 1.7m or 1.86m (63in, 67in or 73in).
And for those who need a 9m (29.7ft) working width when power harrowing, attaching three 3m power harrows aims to achieve just this – although in its current build, the two outer wing frames would need to be extended slightly.
With the implements configured in a two at front, one at the rear format, drive to the front two is via three right angled gearboxes – a splitter box in the middle driving across the carriage to two others. Drive to the rear implement continues from the splitter box down the carriages length.
Implements are attached to the carriage through conventional three-point linkages with depth control achieved by altering the height of two wheels. For transport the two outer wings fold vertically.
Power requirements are understandably high with 200hp believed to be the minimum required for effective working.
Price of the Triple Carriage alone is £14,550: with three 3m powerharrows attached the price is £37,377.
• This years Royal Show marks Dowdeswells 30th consecutive appearance. In 1969 Roger Dowdeswell brought to the show his first reversible plough. Now, in the hands of his son Tim, Dowdeswell Engineering has become the UKs largest manufacturer of farm machinery.