Suitable for tractors from 68 to 130hp, JF’s FCT 900 trailed forager is claimed to have throughputs from about 25 to 60t/hr. This, along with the FCT’s simple and robust build, explains why the model bucks the current trailed forager trend for poor residual values; indeed, the FCT 900 tends to sell well second-hand. Here we look at points to consider when buying used
Introduced back in 1985, the JF FCT 900 remains a strong seller for importer WestMac. Strong build and reasonable spare parts’ prices make the FCT 900 economic to maintain and refurbish and, of equal importance, the machine has altered little since it was first launched. What sets the FCT 900 apart from many other designs is its upward chopping cylinder. JF claims this design consumes less power because the chopped crop is discharged immediately into the chute; whereas downward chopping cylinders carry the crop around the concave before blasting it up the chute.
Clearly, both design approaches will have their advocates, however the ‘upward choppers’ would seem to be less susceptible to serious damage from broken tines and stones. Users we have spoken to, for example, say the blades shear off if they hit something solid, and this protects the cylinder. As a result, a metal detector is not normally fitted.
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