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About Mower Conditioners & Windrowers

Mower conditioners and windrowers are used on farms to harvest small grains, but they are also used in the haymaking process. There are three main types of machines in this category: mounted, pull-type, and self-propelled. Mounted units are either front-, rear-, or side-mounted; pull-type mower conditioners and windrowers are designed to be towed behind a tractor or other piece of equipment; and self-propelled models are standalone machines.

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John Deere R990R Rear-Mount Mower Conditioner

The advantage of pull-type and mounted mower conditioners and windrowers is that you can connect them to a tractor during the haymaking process and then store them while the tractor is used for other purposes. For larger operations, however, self-propelled units may be ideal, allowing operators to focus on one task with a dedicated machine to cut, condition, and/or arrange forage crops more quickly and efficiently.

There are also triple-mower combinations available that can improve efficiency by cutting and conditioning a larger swath in a single pass. The John Deere R990R rear-mounted triple mower, for instance, consists of three 11.5-foot (3.5-meter) mower conditioner units that offer a total cutting width of 32.5 ft (9.9 m). These machines are also popular on large farms with tractors to spare for mounting.

An apt example of a pull-type mower conditioner is the New Holland Discbine 313, which is available in several configurations including a flail model with a MowMax II True Modular Disc Cutterbar with eight discs and a maximum cutting width of 13 ft (4 m).

Mower Conditioners vs. Windrowers

Although mower conditioners and windrowers serve a similar purpose, there are slight differences. For example, a mower conditioner either uses a sickle, disc, or drum mower and then conditions, or crushes, the crop with a flail, or rubber or steel rollers.

Also referred to as “swathers,” windrowers are similar but either use an auger or a sickle cutter bar and draper to mow the grain or hay. They then form the crop into windrows, ideally with the stems facing the same way, not only to reduce drying time, but also to make it easier for harvesters and balers to come in and finish the job.

Advanced Features

Regardless of which machine you choose, you’ll find that mower conditioners and windrowers often feature advanced technologies that make them safer and more accurate. Many have steering guidance systems, ISOBUS control, remote machine monitoring, ground-adaptation technologies, and shields and other components that prevent buildup. They may also have mechanisms to protect the machine and operator if they hit a rock, branch, or other obstacle.

Some self-propelled windrowers are equipped with fully enclosed cabs filled with tools and design features built to maximize operator comfort and productivity, as well as the machine’s efficiency. The Massey Ferguson WR9900 series, for example, features a virtual onboard computer that can automatically adjust conditioner roll pressure and other settings to match harvest conditions. There are also controls for automatic header speed control and load control, and more. Models in this series include the WR9950, WR9960, WR9970, and WR9980.

Find The Right Mower Conditioner Or Windrower

You will find thousands of new and used mower conditioners and windrowers for sale on TractorHouse.com from such brands as Case IH, John Deere, KUHN, Mac Don, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and others.