The model year 2022 Speedrower Plus from New Holland made its debut at the U.S. Farm Progress Show last August. The brand calls this latest version of its Speedrower line a next-generation model that has been “redesigned from the ground up.” NH believes the new Speedrower Plus models can provide more productivity and precision in the field. They also now offer more horsepower than previous models.
“As its name suggests, New Holland has added more than simple, model year upgrades to the new Speedrower Plus series windrowers,” says Justin Raski, hay and forage product marketing segment lead for New Holland Agriculture North America. “They are a complete redesign focused on delivering commercial productivity, performance and operator comfort, with new and modern styling. The Speedrower Plus improvements go beyond the tractor as the Durabine Plus series disc heads deliver clean cut results at higher in-field speeds.”
The new windrowers use SensiDrive, which is a drive-by-wire ground drive system. Using drive-by-wire technology (read electrical connections rather than mechanical or hydraulic linkage), the ground drive pumps and wheel motors are precisely controlled to maintain a straight course with less manual steering. That should allow operators to cut faster, longer and straighter with less effort.
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Inside the cab, the IntelliView IV display monitor, which uses a touch screen interface, is standard in the Speedrower Plus models. And it uses New Holland’s Precision Land Management programs. One of the programs included in that digital package is automated headland management. It can reduce operator fatigue by taking control of the machine during repetitive headland turns with just the push of a button. It completes all the necessary tasks, including lifting the header, and puts the machine back on course for the next pass. And by simplifying the operation, it allows for higher ground speed through the turn, which means more acres cut per hour.
To add to the daily acreage total, using the IntelliSteer auto guidance allows the machines to cut at field speeds up to 20 miles per hour, making them 30 per cent faster than previous Speedrower models. Farmers can also maximize machine capacity with the IntelliCruise, which has ground speed automation and an engine power-load management feature.
IntelliCruise has two systems, Field Cruise Eco Power Mode and Power Cruise Mode. Using the Eco Power Mode, operators can maintain cutting performance by monitoring engine load and controlling engine speed. Engine speed is adjusted based on light, medium or heavy crop conditions while ground speed is held at a constant. Power Cruise Mode actively monitors engine load and disc speed. To keep a machine working at maximum capacity, the ground speed will adjust to keep a consistent load on the engine.
Under the hood, the new models offer a range of engine options from 150 to 250 horsepower.
Up front, the Durabine Plus series disc headers allow the machine to make clean cuts at higher field speeds. And the available DuraMerger 419 Plus merging attachment can combine up to three windrows into one to save time and improve forage quality when baling.
New Holland changes up its paint scheme
A little over 70 years ago, New Holland introduced the red and yellow paint scheme on its haying equipment. Now, the brand decided to redesign its current paint scheme on the 2022 line of haying equipment, making it a little more like that original paint scheme. The restyled red and yellow livery will be applied to the Speedrower Plus, self-propelled windrowers, the Roll-Belt round balers and BigBaler Plus large square balers. The new look will follow the one recently introduced on the BigBaler High Density large square baler.
“The change demonstrates both our past and future,” said Mark Lowery, director of commercial marketing at New Holland. “We’ve made cosmetic changes to the equipment while still staying true to our legacy and DNA.”
Starting with model year 2022, the big difference in the look of its haying equipment will be more yellow in combination with the red. New Holland says more of the lighter colour serves a variety of purposes, aside from being a nod to the brand’s heritage and original paint scheme. It is expected to provide greater machine visibility enhancing operation, servicing and overall safety as a side benefit.
To promote the new styling, the brand has released a promotional advertising campaign called “A New Dawn.”
“Dawn symbolizes a new beginning and incorporates a sunrise- themed colour palette similar to the new paint schemes found on these hay tools,” says Mike Sevick, commercial marketing manager for hay and forage equipment at New Holland North America.
