Loftness' new crop shredder/windrower minimizes clogging

Loftness has revealed its new end-delivery crop shredder/windrower implement, designed to improve the process of baling corn stover, while making bigger windrows.

Loftness currently produces a 20-foot center delivery shredder/windrower, but customers wanted a bigger windrower to deliver bigger bales. The company currently offers an end delivery shredder/windrower, but the augers can frequently get clogged up with wet material.

"We've really simplified the process of moving crop residue through the windrower," says Bill Schafer, product development supervisor for Loftness. "It moves material just as effectively as augers or belts, but without the maintenance or plugging headaches."

This new machine doesn't use mechanical means to move shredded material to the discharge, instead using a tunnel that harnesses the airflow created by the knives to move crop residue. This is designed to minimize clogging issues associated with standard augers, especially while working in damp conditions. This design also eliminates any maintenance associated with draper belts.

The knives shoot the residue through the windrower, onto a shelf toward the front of the implement. There, it rotates around until it's pushed onto a set of rods, causing the residue to drop to the ground, but still allowing free airflow through the machine.

The implement's discharge is located on the side of the machine, allowing farmers to place two windrows next to each other for more efficient baling. The windrower also makes use of specialized knives to create better bales by not over-processing stalks.

This windrower will initially be available in a 20-foot width with other sizes to follow. For road transport, the 20-foot windrower folds in, condensing to about 9 feet wide.

The windrower is currently in an early testing phase, with only one made right now. Loftness will put five into production later this year to see what adjustments need to be made in production to determine the final price. It will likely be ready for order later this fall.

For more information about Loftness' lineup of products, visit Loftness.com.