The  6.00m wide APV GP600 M2 is aimed at the contractor end of the grass harrow market. This revamped version gains some easier to use features, as we found out when we caught up with a prototype unit.

Uncluttered … that’s the first impression of APV’s latest grass harrow, which is hitting the market this season. We were able to operate the prototype late last year to obtain a first impression of the revised design.

The main frame is now slimmer; in fact it has been redesigned from head to toe, from the front hitch to the running gear at the back. As part of the process, the three-section rear (left/middle/right) roller has been replaced with a two section set-up for consolidation. The running gear has shifted to behind the roller and swings up and out of work when in the field. The advantage of this design change is that it increases what used to be a very low hitch load when in the transport position.

Better weight distribution

The harrow now transfers over 1,500kg to the tractor’s hitch, with the remaining 3.2t resting on the machine’s axle. In the field, the tongue load is reduced down to 1.1t, with the majority of the weight on the roller during headland turns. The 500-litre seed hopper (800-litre is optional) also contributes to the better weight distribution and sits centrally on the harrow. A total of eight splash plates scatter the seed in front of the first row of tines. Steps and a walkway on the left make loading the hopper a breeze.

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