946 Mower-Conditioner

The swivel hitch gives the 946 and 956 Mower-Conditioners excellent manoeuvrability.

NOTE: Requires a 1000-rpm power take-off (PTO) (3.5 cm [1-3/8 in.]) and a 107.7-kPa (2250-psi) hydraulic system with dual selective control valves (SCVs).

NOTE: The PTO can be converted to a 4.4-cm (1-3/4-in.) driveline by installing a yoke (AE56235) and cross bearing assembly (AC15878). Order through Parts.

The rockshaft swivel hitch attaches to the lower arms of a Category 2 or 3N 3-point hitch and can be used with or without a Quik-Coupler. This hitch enables cutting square corners without the need to reposition the platform using tractor hydraulics, making it easier to cut around field obstacles.

The U-joint angles of the tractor hookup remain constant for reduced driveline noise and vibration.

The rockshaft swivel hitch is easy to hook up. The spring-loaded attaching arms are tilted upward when the hitch is set on the built-in parking pad. The arms can be positioned to permit easier alignment with the 3-point hitch arms.

NOTE: The rockshaft swivel cannot be converted to the drawbar swivel hitch configuration.

The rotary cutterbar is designed and built by John Deere. Large oval disks with free-swinging knives are used to cut the crop.

All cutting disks are the same and are computer-designed for improved wear and cutting performance.

Cutting disks are made of high-strength, austempered steel to ensure the steel is thoroughly and evenly tempered for good wear characteristics.

The disks rotate to give a knife-tip speed of 307 km/h (191 mph) for clean cutting.

The knives are free-swinging to reduce damage if a solid object is struck, and they are reversible to double the useful life.

The knives are removed at the front of the cutterbar for convenience.

An impeller conditioner is available for the 946 and 956 Mower-Conditioners. Proper conditioning in a wide range of crops can be achieved when the conditioner is properly adjusted.

The impeller conditioner works well in legumes, especially alfalfa and most all-grass crops. Impeller conditioners are not recommended for thick-stemmed or cane-type crops over 1.5 m (5 ft) tall.

How an impeller conditioner works:

1. As hay is cut by rotating knives, tines pick up the plants and carry them through the machine:

72 V-shaped tines

Free-swinging tines are used to reduce damage if rocks or other solid objects are struck

2. As the plant passes through, it rubs against the conditioning hood (A) and other plants.

Scrubbing action removes the waxy surface from the stem of the plant

Allows faster evaporation of moisture

Conditioner hood opening is adjustable to accommodate various crop volumes

An easy-to-adjust lever (arrow) is used to position the swathboard.

The swathboard controls the crop flow into the windrow-forming shields.

The windrow width is adjustable from 101.6 cm to 254 cm (40 in. to 100 in.), depending on crop conditions, when equipped with a roll conditioner or an impeller conditioner.