During the international Lely Field Days, mid 2009, Lely demonstrated the Splendimo 460 P, an innovative concept for a trailed mower without conditioner. The special feature of this model is the split cutter bar ensuring a huge working width while maintaining the benefits of a compact transport position plus optimum ease of operation.

Lely has now launched a wider version on the market place making it possible to profit even more from the outstanding properties of this unique system. With its 5.50 m working width, the new Lely Splendimo 550 P is the world's widest mower without conditioner!

The Lely Splendimo 550 P features a unique frame in which two 2.80 m wide cutter bars are suspended in a mutually offset position. The two cutter bars can move independently of one another, so that perfect ground contour following is ensured also due to the freely moving frame. There is a large overlap between the front and rear cutter bar so that even the most awkward plots can be mown efficiently.

The system is discharged by an infinitely adjustable hydro-pneumatic system so that the correct ground pressure can be easily adjusted. A stop on the ram ensures easy and accurate mowing height adjustment. On headlands, the mower can be easily lifted as a whole.

Due to the large width of this trailed mower, wide mowing operations are possible with a relatively light tractor. Thanks to the unique drive of the Lely cutter bars, power required remains relatively low so that higher speeds can be attained while keeping fuel consumption at a low level. The cutter bars are driven via the outside ensuring maximum crop clearance as well as a wide swath.

Due to the long draw bar, the Lely Splendimo 550 P model can mow on either side of the tractor. "Up and down mowing" allows a gain in output of up to 15%! The long draw bar provides sufficient room to fold both cutter bars forward in an exceptionally compact transport position. During transport the width of the machine is only 2.60 m.

Lely Splendimo P mowers are attached to the tractor's three-point linkage and the gearbox functions as a pivoting point for the draw bar. The PTO shaft remains at a consistent length and the mower can pivot easily.

Initially, this mower concept was developed for Vermeer, Lely's strategic partner in the US, where the first production series was well received. Lely expects that this new mower will be especially interesting for medium to large sized farms with relatively large plots that do not require a conditioning operation. The machine's working width, low drive power requirements as well as outstanding ground contour following guarantee an attractive package for future users. Machines stemming from the first production series are now available.