Tedders

[Jsmith2211]

Hi all. Looking to replace my 4 rotor tedder for a 6 rotor, something like a lely lotus 770 (now made my MF new). Have had quotes from a couple of dealers, what does everyone have, do you like it and is there much difference between brands? Theres a second hand lotus in the local case dealer for 5750, or I may have an option of an 8M 8 rotor vicon or pottinger (both second hand) not sure on price yet as am waiting to hear back from the dealer. I will mostly be doing hay with it though may do a small bit of silage (not enough to need to press on at 300mph like the big contractors do though). Are the 8 rotor at the same width as the 6 rotor better and worth the extra cost? I see the 8 rotors usually have 5 tines and the 6 usually have 7. Theres also the option of kubota, as there is a new kubota dealership opened up very close to the farm and I understand kubota are trying to push quite hard into the ag sector (so may get a good deal?)

 

[Jsmith2211]

also anybody know of any schemes grants or other ways to not pay as much going on at the moment?

 

[Andrew]

Lely are very heavily built, but have larger rotor diameters, perfect for heavy wet silage. In dry crops they tend to leave the crop in rows, which doesn't aid crop drying.

Other makes with smaller rotor diameter spread the crop better when it's drier.

 

[Jsmith2211]

Lely are very heavily built, but have larger rotor diameters, perfect for heavy wet silage. In dry crops they tend to leave the crop in rows, which doesn't aid crop drying.

Other makes with smaller rotor diameter spread the crop better when it's drier.

So in theory an 8 rotor at the same size as a 6 would be better?

 

[Andrew]

So in theory an 8 rotor at the same size as a 6 would be better?

The more rotors in a given width the better.

 

[Jsmith2211]

The more rotors in a given width the better.

Any makes better than others or is it mostly whatever you can get a good deal on?

 

[Andrew]

Lely would always be my first choice for first pass if it was heavy wet silage.

Pottinger for subsequent passes here, but SIP would be on a level with them. Depends on your dealer?

 

[Jsmith2211]

Lely would always be my first choice for first pass if it was heavy wet silage.

Pottinger for subsequent passes here, but SIP would be on a level with them. Depends on your dealer?

Waiting to hear a price on a pottinger and vicon 8m 8 rotor from the pottinger dealer, massey dealer hasnt responded nor has the one that sells SIP. vicon dealer has been very good and quick to respond, and the KV/NH one was good as well to give a quote. KV the same as vicon if i understand right, and was 2 grand more! So probabaly wont be buying one of them. Only one close enough to justify just walking in and asking is the one thats doing kubota, so going to go in there sometime this week and get a quote. The 8m 8 rotor vicon is listed at 6500 on his website, dont know if thats the price i'd pay though. Leaning towards that or the pottinger depending on price at the moment, as the KV version of the same thing new was double that after discount.

 

[Sharpy]

Waiting to hear a price on a pottinger and vicon 8m 8 rotor from the pottinger dealer, massey dealer hasnt responded nor has the one that sells SIP. vicon dealer has been very good and quick to respond, and the KV/NH one was good as well to give a quote. KV the same as vicon if i understand right, and was 2 grand more! So probabaly wont be buying one of them. Only one close enough to justify just walking in and asking is the one thats doing kubota, so going to go in there sometime this week and get a quote. The 8m 8 rotor vicon is listed at 6500 on his website, dont know if thats the price i'd pay though. Leaning towards that or the pottinger depending on price at the moment, as the KV version of the same thing new was double that after discount.

Kubota will be a vicon, they bought Vicon ages ago.

 

[Jsmith2211]

Kubota will be a vicon, they bought Vicon ages ago.

yes, but could be a cheaper vicon if theyre trying to get market share?

 

[Sharpy]

yes, but could be a cheaper vicon if theyre trying to get market share?

Same machine, different paint and badge.

 

[Jerry]

Bought a 6 rotor pottinger here this spring. Replaced an aged Lely.

Very pleased with it.

 

[Stw88]

The size of Tedder you get is really dependant on your mower. If your mower leaves the grass in rows, each row should go between 2 rotors rather than hitting 1 straight on. Won’t matter in light crops and subsequent passes.

 

[KB6930]

I have a question about 8 rotor tenders doing the same as a 6 rotor . If your spreading 3 rows laid out in rows not spread how does it work ?

My claas 770 is too narrow for 3 rows of claas 3200c mower so the outside pairs of rotors end up throwing grass towards the middle of the machine resulting in uneven rows only way to sort it is cut narrower with the mower which is fine as long as you know it's getting spread for hay but not all silage gets spread only in an emergency. Surely an 8 rotor will do something similar?

 

[Fraserb]

I have a question about 8 rotor tenders doing the same as a 6 rotor . If your spreading 3 rows laid out in rows not spread how does it work ?

My claas 770 is too narrow for 3 rows of claas 3200c mower so the outside pairs of rotors end up throwing grass towards the middle of the machine resulting in uneven rows only way to sort it is cut narrower with the mower which is fine as long as you know it's getting spread for hay but not all silage gets spread only in an emergency. Surely an 8 rotor will do something similar?

The smaller rotors seem to help, our 6 rotor claas didn't match the triple mowers that well and often rowed up like you say, new tedder has small rotors and it doesn't seem to matter where they hit the swath it's pretty even spread.

 

[KB6930]

The smaller rotors seem to help, our 6 rotor claas didn't match the triple mowers that well and often rowed up like you say, new tedder has small rotors and it doesn't seem to matter where they hit the swath it's pretty even spread.

I've seen an 8 rotor kv going locally and it always ends up a mess but never really seen it going in the first pass

 

[daveydiesel1]

Iv worked with a few different brands and the only 1 i can leave a nice job at a decent speed is a lely, i really didnt like the krone

 

[neilo]

The size of Tedder you get is really dependant on your mower. If your mower leaves the grass in rows, each row should go between 2 rotors rather than hitting 1 straight on. Won’t matter in light crops and subsequent passes.

That’s only really of relevance in the first pass. As the OP is asking about a machine to make hay (mostly, that’s going to be almost inconsequential imo.

 

[neilo]

Lely aren’t an option anymore are they?

Only have the work for a 4 rotor, but very happy with my Malone and would certainly have another. Similar hook tines to the Lely, so works well at speed, but a much stronger headstock than any other Tedder I’ve seen, and it’s the headstocks that usually need rewelding in time…

 

[balerman]

Best match it to your mower,2 rotors per mower swath.Lely used to do big or small rotors,675 was small 6 rotor,770 larger 6 rotor.Not sure if Agco still do the 675.