Ahead of the 2027 season, McHale is set to launch its next generation of Pro Glide mowers, the F3100-II and R3100-II, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

McHale launched the Pro Glide Mower range in 2015, and now the new generation of mowers feature a number of key developments.

McHale has said the new F3100-II and R3100-II are lighter than their predecessors, while retaining the robust build quality.

Both models also feature the new three-metre X-Edge cutterbar, designed and manufactured at the McHale factory in Mayo. The new colouring and styling give the mowers a distinctive and modern appearance.

The new mowers feature the new three-metre X-Edge cutterbar, designed and manufactured at the McHale factory in Mayo.

X-Edge cutterbar

McHale claims that its new X-Edge cutterbar is Ireland’s first purpose-designed cutterbar. Speaking about the design, McHale says the fully welded and oil-filled cutterbar provides a permanently lubricated environment for the hardened auxiliary gears. The large-diameter gears evenly distribute the load throughout the driveline, driving the seven cutting discs.

Featuring a rounded, low-profile front edge, the manufacturer says the X-Edge’s slimmer profile optimises clean forage separation and crop flow. Power is distributed through a 1,000-rpm driveline and heavy-duty 90-degree gearbox.

McHale’s CoreCut safety mechanism provides additional driveline protection in the event of an impact, while 114mm quick-fit blades provide overlap to prevent striping.

New colouring and styling gives the mowers a distinctive and modern appearance.

Conditioner

The F3100-II and R3100-II come as standard with new shaped, heavier steel conditioner tines. McHale says that pivot protection also enables the tines to swing away when encountering a foreign object, helping protect the conditioner. McHale says this is driven by a high-performance belt-driven system, utilising three heavy-duty V-belts.

It claims this new generation of the Pro Glide delivers a 50% higher power capability than standard belts to handle tough crop conditions.

The operator selects from six different positions to adjust conditioning intensity and altering swath width.

McHale claims that its new X-Edge cutterbar is Ireland’s first purpose-designed cutterbar.

Pro Glide F3100-II front mower

The Pro Glide F3100-II front mower has been designed with its centre of gravity positioned close to the tractor, for responsiveness to changing ground conditions through the use of mechanical springs.

An integrated suspension system allows the mowing unit to move independently of the tractor’s front linkage, allowing the cutterbar to respond to changes in terrain. With an adaptive range of 500mm and 17° of left-to-right pivot, the cutterbar can closely follow ground contours. McHale says that patented active spring compensator technology ensures uniform ground pressure across the mower’s working height, helping to maintain an even cut while reducing the risk of excessive pressure on the ground. McHale says the tubular support frame provides over 600mm of ground clearance when raised, depending on tractor and tyre configuration.

The F3100-II and R3100-II come as standard with new shaped, heavier steel conditioner tines.

Pro Glide R3100-II rear mower

The Pro Glide R3100-II rear mower comes as standard with an advanced central pivot floatation system, allowing the mower to pivot freely and the cutterbar to respond with 17° of left-to-right movement. For additional protection, the integrated mechanical break-back system triggers upon striking an immovable object, helping to protect the cutterbar.

The ground pressure is adjusted via the headstock-mounted pressure gauge. A mechanical tap isolates the system once set, for consistent flotation. For road travel, the Pro Glide R3100-II folds vertically to a 116.5° angle, positioning its centre of gravity directly behind the tractor.

Visitors to the McHale stand will also have the opportunity to see the latest updates to McHale’s C4 straw blower and silage feeder range.

Updates to C4 straw blower and silage feeder range

Visitors to the McHale stand will also have the opportunity to see the latest updates to McHale’s C4 straw blower and silage feeder range. The updated machines feature heavier-duty slats and U-bolts, along with a new belt slippage detection sensor. These developments follow previous updates to the C4 range, including a Hardox-lined flywheel and wired joystick remote.

The McHale Fusion 4 range will feature prominently at this year’s Ploughing Championships. The Fusion 4 Plus will be on display with film-binding technology, while also incorporating the new hydraulic driven TerraDrive axle option.

Visitors will also be able to see the Fusion Vario Plus, a fully automatic integrated baler wrapper. This machine can produce hay and straw bales ranging from 0.6m to 1.68m (2’-5’6”), as well as haylage and silage bales from 1m to 1.45m (3’3”-4’8”).

The McHale Fusion 4 range will feature prominently at this year’s Ploughing Championships.

Additional innovations on display will include the new generation of McHale variable chamber balers in the form of the V6750-II, the new and the largest R80-90 centre delivery rake. The McHale Propel tedder range will also feature on the stand, with both the mounted six-rotor M6-770 and trailed 10-rotor T10-1260 on display.

The F5 fixed chamber baler range will also be available to view, with the F5-550 featuring a 15-knife chopping unit, while the F5-560 Plus is equipped with a 25-knife chopping unit and film binding technology.

A wide selection of McHale’s round bale wrapping range will be on display, including the proven 991 wrapping range and the McHale Orbital, the company’s top-of-the-range round bale wrapper.