The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus firm launches its new windrower models
Machinery: Scanstone says Osprey models will help potato growers save money
Scottish specialist farm machinery manufacturer Scanstone has launched two new potato and vegetable windrower machines.
The Forfar-based company, run by the Skea family, has introduced the Osprey 3 and Osprey 5 models to its range of machinery.
The Osprey 3 windrower is equipped with three spiral cleaning rollers, a second web, carbon fibre belt drive, large wheels and a dual direction cross conveyor. Prices start at around £55,000.
“This machine extracts haulm in all conditions while doing a fantastic job of keeping potatoes, down to any size, inside the machine so nothing is lost, regardless of what variety is being lifted,” said Scanstone’s William Skea.
“A light, nimble and effective machine which is easily pulled and easily driven. Powered by the tractor hydraulics, this is a more than adequate machine for windrowing potatoes and other vegetables.”
Next up the Osprey 5, named the “bigger brother of the Osprey family”, comes with dedicated haulm extraction behind the main web followed by two cleaning rollers behind the second web and a further two rollers behind the third web.
Mr Skea said: “This machine has on-board hydraulics for powering the rollers and is suitable for varying conditions throughout the potato lifting season.
“The Osprey 5 can clean potatoes effectively while extracting the most awkward of haulm with the first haulm roller, which, for added gentle handling sits behind a polyurethane spiral roller, not directly against a web which causes damage when windrowing potatoes.”
He said the model, which has a larger chassis than other machines in the same range, is priced at £70,000.
Each machine comes with the option of the Harris Edition – a long cross conveyor which gives more versatility when opening up breaks in the field and taking out headlands when moving into new fields.
Mr Skea said potato damage was significantly reduced when the harvester is picking up a windrow due to “safety in numbers” with a fuller harvester.
“Windrowing is a cost saving to potato growers and is becoming more and more popular now that there is a purpose-built machine to do the job effectively,” added Mr Skea.