For those wanting a wider working GreenMaster, Güttler already had a semi-mounted version. However, this just didn’t hit the chord for the UK market, prompting importer Wox Agri Services to develop the mounted 600 Compact. Read on to find out more.

KEEPING IT BRIEF

  • Was developed by UK importer Wox Agri Services together with Güttler.
  • The 6.0m mounted machine weighs 3,250kg with the steel prisma rings.
  • For an optimum one-pass operation it should be combined with the Front Harroflex Alpin tine harrow.

Traditionally, the GreenMaster is a very modular machine consisting of the Harroflex tine harrow and a Median or Matador prismatic ring roller, with a pneumatic seeder on top completing the package. While this provides an adaptable set-up, it also makes the mounted machine a heavy bit of kit (the 3.00m model is around 1,950kg) which is why Güttler has opted for a semi-mounted approach for the 6.0m plus machines. 

The downside of these semi-mounted (see profi 10/2021) trailed units is that, while they offer the increasing output contractors are looking for, they are a bit of a lengthy rig. This prompted Geoff Wox and the team at Wox Agri Services to come up with a fully mounted 6.00m version. 

The Northumberland-based Güttler importer is no stranger to machine design having developed its own range of umbilical slurry equipment.

The rear platform provides good access to the standard machine’s 410-litre hopper as well as space for storing extra bags of seed.

Harrow re-jig

To keep the weight close to the tractor, the 600 Compact uses a dedicated frame to mount the front ripper board, two rows of tines and rear roller onto. With the cast iron 330mm and 380mm prismatic rings from the Median roller, this weighs in at 3,250kg, but can be reduced by about 400kg if you opt for an alternating steel and synthetic ring arrangement. 

The harrow has three sections, a left and right wing along with a central unit. This allows the Compact to fold to a transport width of 3.00m. Another detail of the design is that the central roller sits slightly farther back to provide adequate overlap with the wings, ensuring all of the working width is rolled. The 75mm tine spacing is the same as on the other Güttler grass harrows.

Normally the GreenMaster disperses the seed just ahead of the roller, but on the Compact the outlets are positioned ahead of the tines. Y-pieces double the number of outlets to 16.

One key difference between the Compact and the other GreenMaster models is where the seed outlets are positioned. Usually these are located after the tines and just ahead of the roller, but, on the Compact, Wox has placed them just behind the ripper board. Y-pieces double the number of seed plates to 16 from the eight-outlet seeder. Speaking of the seeder, this is the EPS 5 with a 410-litre hopper with electric metering and the speed signal taken from the tractor of a GPS receiver. There is a decent-sized platform for filling the pressurised hopper as well as providing extra storage space for spare bags of seed. 

Folded, the 600 Compact measures 3.00m wide for transport between locations.
The seeder has electric drive with push button calibration. It’s proven technology.
To generate enough tilth in one pass, afront Harroflex Alpin is recommended. This has the same ripper board and two rows of tines.

In use

We had the opportunity to try out the new 600 Compact along with a front-mounted Harroflex Alpin (£21,560). This has the same ripper board and two rows of 12mm spring tines so the combination can bring up more tilth in one pass for stitching in fresh seed to an existing sward. As it doesn’t have a roller, gauge wheels help control the Alpin’s tines.

It still uses the GreenMaster layout of a front ripper board, two rows of 12mm tines and the prismatic ring roller. Hydraulic adjustment is an option for the two rows of tines.

Bundling along at 10km/hr, the GreenMaster combination was bringing up enough soil to give the new seed a suitable home ahead of the roller. Our Compact was also fitted with the optional hydraulic adjustment for the two rows of tines and the roller. There is a gauge to show the tines’ current position but not so with the roller. The ripper board is adjusted by refitting two pins on each of the three sections.  

This is the result from one pass of the front and rear mounted combination.

Overall the Güttler combination was doing what it promised to do. Likewise, the finish on the machine is at the usual high level that Wox delivers, but so too is the price. Our front/rear combination lists at £73,360.

Mervyn Bailey

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