DRIVING IMPRESSION: Schuitemaker has given its combi silage wagon a major rethink. Here is our exclusive report.
The Rapide combi forage wagon has been given another tweak for the coming season so the Schuitemaker can stand up to the competition. Thanks to its modular build, the Dutch firm can produce the wagon on the same assembly line as its Siwa forage trailer. Last season’s prototype range included 16 models. The pick-up is now 2.40m (DIN), is powered hydraulically and pivots like a pendulum on one pin in the middle of the machine. It is controlled by a rod on either side, but can adapt to ground contours in three directions. Helping to give precise control are the four (optionally six) depth wheels in the middle of the chassis. At last, these now have a pin-and hole adjustment system.
Toothed belt drive
Another new feature is the rotor drive, which sits on the left-hand side of the wagon. The pto drive is directed to the Röglberg gearbox and the speed then reduced by the belt. The driveline is rated to 2,500Nm and the rotor diameter has been increased to 70cm. The rotor tines are now hardened with LMD laser technology. The blades are pressurised hydraulically in groups of five. As before, the nominal chop length is 40mm, but Schuitemaker plans on offering other chop lengths on production models.
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