Lotus Combi

The success of the hook tine

The success of the Lotus tedders is derived from three important characteristics; the tedding effect, the output and durability. Many of these benefits are directly related to the hook tines.

Airy tedding for fast drying

Good tedding means effective turning of the crop as well as a very airy, even distribution of the crop. Wind is more important for drying than sunlight, so a crop with an airy and open lay gives plenty of air exposure, enabling the wind to easily remove the moisture released. An uneven lay enables the sunlight to penetrate deeply into the mown crop, causing the pores in the leaf to open. Dehydration due to the natural respiration of the crop leads to much quicker drying times.

Effective pick-up of the entire crop

The hooked shape of the lower tine passes over the grass and picks up all the mown grass perfectly. By pre-tensioning the tines the range of the hook tines becomes greater. Even large rotors can then work at a steep tedding angle without letting the crop remain between the rotors.

The wettest crop parts on top

The position of the double hook tine and the special angle of the hook impart an unprecedented rearwards speed to the crop. In combination with the steep position of the rotors, enormous speed is generated in the highly-thrown crop. The greater the distance the crop covers in the air, the better the rotating action. After all, wet crops are heavier than dry crops; they are therefore thrown further away and come to rest on top of the dry crop.

High driving speed + low revolutions = low fuel consumption

Due to the pick-up output of the hook tines, the rotors run at relatively low revolutions. The transmission in the drive has been selected so that the ideal rotor revolutions correspond to 400‑450 rpm on the PTO shaft which corresponds to relatively low engine revolutions. The driving speed is between 8 and 15 kph. Therefore, good fuel economy!

Effective tedding, irrespective of rotor size

Lely tedders with their unique hook tines have the big advantage due to their great flexibility and the trailed position of the tines, a slight pre-tension can even be applied to the ground. This means that the rotor can be angled relatively far forwards under all conditions, which improves the tedding results. The gap between the rotors where the tines cannot reach is consequently narrower, therefore allowing the rotor to operate at the correct tedding angle. Even with the larger rotors, the crop pick up is therefore assured, without negatively affecting the tedding and the rotary action.

Long crops

For long grass, a larger diameter rotor is an advantage. Due to the larger circumference, the distance that the material travels is greater, giving the tines more ‘time’ to disentangle the grass. A good example is the Lotus 600, which performs particularly well in rough and long material.

Flexible tines ensure clean crops

The Lotus tines are very flexible due to the rearward angle, the special materials and also the five coils. Compared to straight tines, only a small amount of energy is required to flex them. It is even better for the tines to apply a slight pre-tension onto the ground because the crop is picked up more effectively, while in addition the rotor position can be adjusted more abruptly without causing any contamination.

Side tedding with the Lely Lotus tedder

For tedding along field borders and ditches, the tines of the outer rotor are put in the innermost position. The tines of this rotor will then throw the grass away from the edge. This means the field borders remain clean and the grass is perfectly distributed. Other ways of side tedding, such as an angled position, produce uneven drying due to swath formation.

Contamination

Contamination (a high soil content) is eliminated by the correct working height settings. Working too low or with restricted ground contour following of the rotor frames are often reasons for contamination such as soil, dried fertiliser or clumps of grass in the silo. This can be eliminated by good adjustment of the tedder, flexible tines and making sure you have an effective, unrestricted ground contour following system.

Elimination of crop loss

The rotors of the Lotus tedders rotate at relatively low revolutions; hence loss of crop is avoided. Furthermore, the trailed position of the tines is very gentle on even the driest of crops.

Easy adjustment

In varying working conditions it is important that the tedding angle and working height can be adjusted quickly and easily. With the Lotus tedders, the tedding angle is set by adjusting the ground wheels. A pin ensures easy adjustment of the ground wheels in five positions. The working depth is then adjusted by extending or reducing the length of the top link or using the wind handle.

No awkward crop winding

The AWS Anti crop-Winding System fitted to all Lotus models offers a highly effective solution, in that grass can no longer wind itself around the ground wheels. Grass falling from the wheels lands in a specially shaped curve in the wheel axle, after which it falls to the ground.