Soft, damp and uneven paddocks can make clean, consistent raking difficult. but on the Pottinger TOP 882C twin-rotor centre delivery rake, the optional FLOWTAST system replaces the rotor wheels with glide bars designed to keep the rotors tackling the ground in those conditions.
The large contact area of the glide bars passes over wheel marks, holes and furrow, where wheels would normally sink or drop in. this can help maintain a more consistent tine path and reduce the chance of soil being brought into the forage, an advantage when crop cleanliness and feed quality matter. Pottinger says the larger support area also improves load-bearing capacity on soft and damp ground.
A key part of the system is its hydraulic weight alleviation. A hydraulic cylinder relieves weight from the rotor units, reducing the load carried by the FLOWTAST glide bars. The system is adjusted through the tractors existing single acting hydraulic spool valve, and a pressure gauge on the mounting frame lets the operator read the ground pressure setting. Pottinger specifies an approximate ground pressure of 200kg.
That pressure control helps the FLOWTAST skid work with the terrain rather than simply carrying the full rotor weight over it. In practical terms, lighter contact can help the glide bar move more smoothly across uneven ground, thus supporting a steady rotor operation and reduced stress on the rake frame. It also helps limit skid wear and soil disturbance. Operators can adjust the hydraulic relief to suit field conditions.
The glide bars large contact area extends close to the tine engagement point. This short distance helps the rotor follow the surface while keeping the tines accurately guided across changing contours. The result is a setup designed to maintain raking performance where a conventional wheeled chassis may struggle.
FLOWTAST is available as an option on the TOP 882C. its glide bars use a high-grade molecular wear-resistant plastic for the lowest friction and the greatest impact strength, with five individually replaceable 15mm plates on each bar, supporting serviceability over the machines working life.
For farmers and contractors working on soft, damp or uneven paddocks, the combination of a broad surface and hydraulic weight alleviation offers a practical way to improve ground following. The TOP 882 C’s adjustable working width and centre-delivery swath can make it a flexible option for different forage harvesting setups, while FLOWTAST adds a ground following solution for more demanding field conditions.
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