A new front mounted mower which can be steered from the cab to eliminate uncut strips of grass when turning, has been launched by Irish manufacturer, Keltec.

This, the company believed, was the first time this feature has been available on a standard mower, rather than as a third party conversion. It was designed in response to feedback from the many contractor customers of the company's present range.

The angle of the mower in relation to the tractor is changed via a ram which moves the whole unit through an arc of approximately 16°. This is operated from a double acting spool valve in the cab and remains under the control of the driver at all times.

Key to the ability of the mower to swing in either direction is a redesign of the mounting linkage to allow lateral movement between tractor and mower. The hydraulically cushioned floatation is not affected by the mechanism.

Like all the company's mowers, it's working width is 3m and uses a cutting bar supplied by Comer, of Italy, a well-known supplier of such components. There are seven discs each with two blades and a crop conditioner using forked steel tines, with the degree of processing controlled by an adjustable steel hood. As an option the end skirts can be folded hydraulically.

All the products are designed and assembled in the heart of Ireland's dairy country where heavy crops and irregular field conditions prevail. Heavy gauge steel is used throughout and generously sized bearings specified for the moving parts. Hydraulic services required are one single-acting and one double-acting spool valves.

This new front mower joins an established range of heavy duty mowers produced by the company. When used in conjunction with rear mounted mowers already available, it provides a 9.5m cut, while the standard fixed front mower will continue to be manufactured.