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McConnel has unveiled the next generation of its acclaimed, low ground pressure, self-propelled crop sprayer, the Agribuggy2 AB30.

Redesigned from the ground up, the all new Agribuggy features a new Stage-V compliant Cummins engine, heavier-duty drivetrain and larger 3000-litres capacity spray tank for greater performance, durability, and output.    

With a ground pressure of just 8psi when the 3000-litre capacity tank is fully filled, the new Agribuggy AB30 remains the market leading light-footed sprayer that allow growers to confidently treat crops in challenging ground conditions and allows for safe, productive working, earlier and later in the year.  

Featuring a robust mechanical drivetrain, larger axles and all-wheel drive the AB30 offers safe, surefooted traction with the added safety of a mechanical HP24 gearbox and differential to arrest descent with engine braking – a reassurance not available with sprayers reliant on hydrostatic drives. The new OMSI drive axles provide improved traction and handling with a generous 750mm ground clearance when fitted with large diameter row-crop wheels.

Powered by a new, high-performance Cummins 3.8L 148HP turbo charged diesel engine, the powerplant is Stage V compliant to Euro emissions standards. Delivering 600Nm of torque at lower revs and utilising an intelligent engine braking system, the new powerplant provides responsive power and performance both on the road and in the field.

Further performance optimisation provides exceptional fuel economy. Average daily consumption is circa 70 litres/day, a saving of up to 65% compared to large hydrostatic sprayers. A larger 110 Litre fuel tank provides additional working range. To ensure fast, effective heat dissipation of the powerplant, high efficiency cooling packs featuring reversible fan drive provide efficient cooling at all temperatures and engine loads.

In the cab, operators enjoy further refinements including category IV active filtration system, cruise control and additional 4WS features for reduced fatigue. An updated cab instrument layout includes a high-definition 7-inch full-colour display and software to optimise accuracy & sprayer control. Other upgrades include a new hydraulic powered braking system for enhanced performance, and LS hydraulics providing greater capability at lower engine revs.

The AB30 comes equipped with a 3,000-litre sprayer demount that has been internally baffled for extra strength and to prevent surges.  A new electronic sight gauge with LED display for tank contents and remote PTO control has been added for greater convenience and accuracy.  12/24m aluminium Pommier booms with a pressure recirculation system remain a standard feature.

 “We’re excited to bring these new innovations and enhancements to the proven Agribuggy format. By listening to users’ feedback, we’ve been able to increase efficiency, economy, performance, and functionality even further.” Comments John Davis, Sprayer Sales Manager at McConnel.

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Undertaking time consuming headland turns at the end of each mowing bout can be unproductive, awkward, and on steep slopes, potentially dangerous.  Furthermore, these repetitive turns can cause unnecessary surface disturbance and excessive track wear.

To overcome this problem and help boost productivity, McConnel has introduced the ROBOCUT RC28, a remote-control slope mower with bi-directional mowing capabilities.  By locating the 1.1m   rotary mulching deck directly beneath the 28hp Vanguard engine, the slope mower can efficiently mow in either direction.  

By eliminating the need for time consuming headland turns, operators can mow to the end of the row and then simply track back in the opposite direction to make the return pass.  To ensure intuitive control, the RC28 automatically reverses the directional input from the remote-control unit meaning right-joystick input always turns right, and left-joystick input always turns left, regardless of the machine’s direction of travel.

In addition to eliminating headland turns, McConnel’s RC28 design also brings several further advantages including a lower center of gravity and improved stability when working on slopes up to 55 degrees.  

With working speeds up to 7kmh and option to add GPS autosteer guidance, the bi-directional ROBOCUT RC28 is proving popular with professional grass maintenance teams requiring a simple to use, easy to transport, high output slope mowing solution.

Discover more about the ROBOCUT RC28

McConnel has strengthened distribution coverage in Northern Europe after signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Finnish cooperative Lantmannen Agro Oy.

Based in Helsinki, Finland, Lantmannen Agro Oy, is part of Lantmannen, an agricultural cooperative owned by over 25,000 Swedish farmers. Lantmannen is Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture machinery distribution, bioenergy and food production. In Finland Lantmannen Agro has 66 outlets strategically located throughout the country.

Lantmannen Agro have already put the spotlight on McConnel range of flex-wing rotary mowers at the company’s recent demonstration day that allowed potential customers to see the machines in action and put their questions to the Lantmannen team.

Lantmannen Agro Product Manager, Juha Änkö said the event attracted an impressive turnout, especially considering the challenging conditions farmers have been experiencing.

He said ‘The demonstration day was a great success and is a sign of a brighter future for the McConnel-Lantmannen partnership in the Finnish market. McConnel has been very well received by our customers and sellers. Sales of the first half of the year have exceeded all our expectations.’

For further information on McConnel Machinery in Finland please contact Lantmannen Agro Oy direct on 0207 708 870 or email agro@lantmannen.com. Alternatively, please visit www.lantmannenagro.fi

McConnel are delighted to announce an exclusive distribution deal with French vegetation management equipment supplier Payen Import, which will see the Rozay-en-Brie company become the sole agent for McConnel Flex-Wing Rotary Mowers in France.

From 1 August, 2021 Payen Import will be able to offer a one-stop shop for McConnel’s comprehensive range of vegetation management machinery, that includes Power Arms, Remote Control Machinery, and now also Europe’s best selling range of Flex Wing-Rotary Mowers.

The McConnel Flex-Wing Rotary Mower range consists of 4 models that are available in the following configurations:

• McConnel SR420, 4.2m tractor mounted Flex Wing Rotary Mower – 3 rotors, 3 blades per rotor
• McConnel SR460, 4.6m, trailed Flex Wing Rotary Mower – 3 rotors, 4 or 6 mulching blades per rotor
• McConnel SR620, 6.2m trailed Flex Wing Rotary Mower – 3 rotors, 4 or 6 mulching blades per rotor
• McConnel SR820, 8.2m trailed Flex Wing Rotary Mower – 5 rotors, 4 or 6 mulching blades per rotor

All McConnel Flex-Wing Rotary Mowers are supplied with a 7-year Gearbox Warranty.

McConnel chose Payen as its partner because of the long and successful relationship forged by the two companies since 2002 - which began with a deal to sell McConnel’s Power Arm range through the French company’s well-established national dealer network.

McConnel General Manager Christian Davies, said: “Payen offers a tried and trusted national sales network; unrivalled skill and expertise in McConnel machinery; and a major commitment to customer service with high levels of stock and parts.

“We’re excited about the long-term development of this partnership and believe it will lead to new opportunities for both companies in one of Europe’s key marketplaces.”

Payen General Manager Olivier Deneufbourg said the extension to our distribution agreement with McConnel gives Payen the opportunity to offer our customers a complete range of market-leading vegetation management machinery.

He said: “McConnel is a worldwide market-leader with a proven reputation for quality and innovation. The addition of McConnel’s popular Flex-Wing Rotary Mowers to our distribution agreement enables us to offer a complete range of premium quality machines to our customers that we are extremely excited about”

McConnel and Payen have already started working together to showcase the comprehensive range of new Flex-Wing Rotary Mowers and will be taking them on extensive demonstration tours throughout France later this year.

For more information on the McConnel Flex Wing rotary mower range please visit http://www.payengroupe.fr/mcconnel-import---broyeurs.html

McConnel has extended its remote-control product line-up of with the introduction of the new ROBOCUT2 RC40.  

The new, mid-range, 40hp ROBOCUT bridges the gap between McConnel’s smallest, 28hp fine-turf remote control mower and the larger 56hp and 75hp, heavy-duty RC mulchers.

Designed especially for tackling tough terrain, the ROBOCUT2 RC40 features a low centre of gravity design and durable rubber tracks that make it an outstanding all-terrain mowing machine, capable of mastering slopes up to 55 degrees whilst enhancing operator safety by removing them from the danger zone.

Power comes from a 40hp, three-cylinder, Yanmar diesel engine that uses a DPF filter system to ensure it meets the latest Stage V emissions regulations without the need for Adblue.

Hydrostatic drive features two speed range, with speeds up to 4kph in range one and up to 7kph in range two.  Track options include; standard-rubber, super-rubber, studded and spiked and allow the ROBOCUT2 RC40 to work on slopes up to 55 degrees in any direction.  

Twin roll-over protection bars and fully enclosed, all-metal body panels not only prevent the ingress of dust and debris, but also provide outstanding protection and durability when working in harsh conditions.

A Hetronic handheld remote control unit provides intuitive and easy-to-master control of RC40 and offers a working range of 150m. Two large joysticks provide control of motion, steering and attachment control, while key features such as gearing, rotor speed, speed sensitivity, radiator self-cleaning and emergency stop can all be accessed at the touch of a button.

The new RC40 is compatible with a comprehensive range of cutting attachments including the 1.3m and 1.6m grass flailheads and 1.3m mulching flailhead.  Further attachments such as stump grinders, trenchers, material handling and snow blowers transform the RC40 into a versatile remote-control work platform that increases safety, productivity and efficiency in a wide range of applications.

Among the features fitted to the heavy-duty 75 Series, is a radically new hydraulic oil tank. Unlike a conventional tank, the new design has a 400mm duct running through the centre of the tank through which cooling air is drawn. This unique ‘hole in the middle’ design delivers a number of benefits: 

• Hydraulic oil is maintained at a safe working temperature, even when ambient temperatures exceed 35⁰C
• Both the oil cooler and fan are mounted within the frame for full protection
• Clean cooling air is drawn in from the off-side of the machine
• Tube increases the cooling surface area by 21%
• Central core utilises internal tank baffles, eliminating ‘dead spots’ to fully exploit the tank’s 200 litre oil capacity
• Cavitation, caused by air bubbles forming within the oil, is virtually eliminated due to very low oil flow velocity to the return chamber
• Electrically driven cooling fan automatically operates to maintain a consistent oil temperature
• Cooling fan operates an automatic reverse cycle to keep the radiator and intake screen clear of debris
• Improved cooling efficiency reduces fan operation to cut noise, power consumption and wear and tear
• Simplified hose runs from the tank to pump and valves improves service access and longevity
• Lower temperature improves service life for seals and hoses

Designed for farmers, contractors, and local government teams, McConnel’s innovative 75 series Power Arms come with a choice of five different reach options from 5.6m to 8.0m, are powered by 70hp high-performance hydraulics, and are built to last from Stenx (Domex) steel.

The most radical enhancement is the new cooling and hydraulic system which delivers an outstanding de-aeration performance; very low overall flow velocity; and eliminates areas in the tank where resting oil can concentrate.

This unique design improves efficiency, performance and durability, ensures consistent cooling in all weather conditions, and reduces heat build-up.

The 75 series has been designed to get the best from REVOLUTION – McConnel’s  market-leading eight-function proportional control system which features outstanding joystick precision, fully customisable controls, and simple but sophisticated software developed in-house exclusively for McConnel Power Arms.

REVOLUTION comes complete with the award-winning Easy Drive System (EDS) for faster ‘hands-free’ verge mowing speeds in undulating terrain. EDS automatically adjusts to the contours of the ground more 30 times a second - reducing operator input and fatigue. It enhances comfort and visibility and can increase working speeds by up to 4.5 times the norm.

Customers can choose from four different armsets including: Standard, Telescopic, Variable Forward Reach, and Telescopic Variable Forward Reach(Tele-VFR).

The advanced Tele-VFR armset enables operators to position the flailhead alongside the cab for greater visibility, while offering extra reach on demand for manoeuvrability.

Other market-leading features include:

• McConnel’s acclaimed 3-point and 4-point hitch mounting systems which are easy to fit and deliver a highly stable cutting platform.
• TwinCut – the world’s first dual rotor flailhead tackles mature hedgerows in a single-pass, producing a heavy-duty cut and a perfect finish in a single operation – saving time and fuel costs and increasing the amount of work achieved in a day. The first rotor is equipped with a heavy-duty T-flail which cuts in a downward direction, finely mulching the material and reducing the debris blown forward. Set 50mm lower, the second rotor cuts in an upward direction and is equipped with a fine-cut competition flail.
• F14 Flails –the first flail ever developed which can cut everything from grass to mature hedgerows. Its weight-efficient design ensures an exceptional heavy-duty cutting performance without the need for a more powerful machine driving heavier flails.
• Widest range of attachments: The 75 Series is available with 28 different attachment options including: Ditch Cleaners, Cutterbars, Rotary Heads, and Multi Saws.

Find out more about the 75 Series: http://www.mcconnel.com/power-arms/_product/206/75-series/

Created to meet the needs of farmers, contractors, and local authorities, McConnel’s new 65-series Power Arms feature a heavy-duty design, powerful hydraulics, and a high-spec feature set.

Four models are available offering high-performance 70hp totally independent hydraulics and a choice of reach of 5.5m (18’ 1”), 6.0m (19’ 8”), 6.5m (21’ 4”) and 7.0m (23’).

Key features of the new machines include:

- A wide choice of high-performance cutting heads, including McConnel’s Supercut, MultiCut, and Omega flailheads – as well as TwinCut, the world’s first dual-rotor flailhead
- McConnel’s Easy Drive System (EDS) comes with REVOLUTION – delivering hands-free cruise control for verge-mowing – and an increase in working speeds from 4 km/h up to 18 km/h
- A heavy-duty cast iron pump and a reinforced steel gearbox
- A SoftStart rotor which reduces shock loading on start-up and increases the durability and lifespan of the machine
- And a wide range of working attachments including: Rotary Heads, Cutter Bars, Multi Saws, and a Ditch and Grip Cleaner.

The major benefits of the new series include:

Reach – The 65-series has been designed to hit the sweet spot when it comes to reach – fulfilling the needs of most users with a choice of four different models from 5.5m to 7.0m
Power – High-performance 70-hp hydraulics ensure the series has all the grunt to tackle everything from highway-verge mowing to hedge-cutting and vegetation clearance
Control – 65-series machines come with a choice of three advanced control systems. Motion, EVOLUTION and the state-of-the-art REVOLUTION system
Features – optional extras available to enhance performance, safety and efficiency include EDS, the new TwinCut Flailhead, and a range of different rotors, flails and cutting attachments
Mounting – A choice of three-point linkage and five-point axle mounting is available
Quality – McConnel Power Arms are precision-engineered at our Shropshire production facility and comply with the hallmark of British quality management, the ISO9002 benchmark
Durability – McConnel machines have a proud track record for reliability and are built to withstand the heavy workloads of contractors.

The machines have been designed to meet the needs of farmers and contractors and are compatible with tractors weighing 3,500kg and upwards with a minimum horsepower of 65hp.

McConnel’s European Business Development Manager, Tim Coleridge has retired after a long and successful career within the Agricultural industry.

Tim joined McConnel in 2013 and his extensive knowledge and experience of the agricultural sector has proved invaluable developing of a host of new markets throughout Europe. 

After graduating from Bicton College of Agriculture in 1973, Tim has worked for some of the industry’s biggest names including the Dutton Forshaw Group (Westmac) and the Electrolux Group as Sales & Marketing Manager for Husqvarna UK.

In 2003, Tim joined Alamo Group Europe where he took up the position of Director of Sales & Marketing for Bomford Turner and then later as Director of Sales & Marketing for Twose of Tiverton, before finally taking up his position as European Business Development Manager for McConnel Limited.

Tim has seen a huge amount of change in the industry over the past 45 years, not least the introduction of computers, emails, and mobile phones. 

“I’ve had an exciting and challenging career that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and I would very much like to wish all the customers and colleagues I worked with every success for the future.” Tim said.

Christian Davies, Director and General Manager of Alamo Group UK’s Agricultural Division said “Alamo would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere thanks to Tim for his outstanding contribution to the business over a 17-year career with the company.  His strong leadership, broad knowledge of our industry and loyalty are highly valued and we wish him a wonderful retirement”.

McConnel first introduced the ROBOCUT RC56 and RC75 remote control mower at Saltex 2018 with more power, wider cutting widths and marketing leading stability. They were the perfect choice for maintaining steep slopes and hard to reach, hazardous areas.  For Winter 2020, the two models have received a host of significant changes that include lower emission Stage V engines, increased durability and added versatility.

Power comes from a 56hp three-cylinder or 75hp four-cylinder turbo diesel Hatz engines that meet the latest Stage V emission regulations by using a DPF system without the need for AdBlue.  Developed in partnership with Hatz GmbH, the engines can work on slopes of 55 degrees and deliver market leading power-to-weight ratio.

Development has also focused on increased durability and versatility.  The twin roll-over protection bars have been increased in size to stand proud of the body panels for greater protection and now feature eight dedicated accessory mounting points.  The larger design enables the new, higher IP-rated e-stops to be recessed within the roll-over bars to reduce the risk of accidental activation.

The number of body panels has been reduced to minimise unnecessary joints and allowing for sturdier fitment and improved sealing that prevents ingress of debris.  Thickness of the GRP panels has been increased by 50% for added strength and rigidity.  Steel fabricated fuel and hydraulic tanks with extended under-tank protection plates further enhance durability.

Servicing of the ROBOCUT2 is more convenient thanks to the relocation of the air filter, fuel filter, oil filler cap and the introduction of one-piece, removable side panels.  

Hydrostatic drive features two speed range, with speeds up to 3.5 kph in range one and up to 7kph in range two.  Track tensioning springs have been uprated for improved track retention in challenging environments.  Track options of standard rubber, supper rubber, studded and spiked remain unchanged and allow ROBOCUT2 to work on slopes up to 55 degrees in any direction. 

The ROBOCUT2 handheld remote-control unit has also been updated and now features the ability to control electronic switches and functions of attachments directly from the remote control.   Improved screen graphics, faster refresh rates and backlit LCD display have also been introduced for improved visibility in low light conditions. 

A Trimble GPS autosteer is now available as a plug-and-play option and significantly boosts output by allowing the operators to accurately control ROBOCUT2 to within 25mm over its 150m range, eliminating wasteful overlap with each pass.

The second generation of ROBOCUT2 is in full production at McConnel’s manufacturing facility in Ludlow, Shropshire and are immediately available through the company’s extensive distribution network.