S250 Side-Pull Mower Conditioner

The S250 allows for a wide range of tractor compatibility. With lower power take-off (PTO) horsepower requirements and the ability to be pulled from most tractor drawbars, this John Deere mower conditioner gives you the ability to cut and condition your hay for improved dry down.

• Only requires 41 PTO kW (55 PTO hp)
• Simple and easy hookup with the standard clevis hitch
• Improved maneuverability for irregular field shapes when equipped with the optional equal-angle hitch
• Same reliable cutterbar modules that are used on every John Deere mower conditioner
• Transport width of the S250 matches the width of cut for more convenience when moving transporting between fields

C400 Mower-Conditioner

Achieving the right conditioning action can significantly reduce dry down time. That means less time needed to cure, maintaining optimum feed values, and preventing leaf loss in legumes. Hay and forage producers have a wide variety of crops and conditions. That’s why John Deere mower-conditioners offer four different conditioners.  

• Conditioning reduces the time required for dry down
• Multiple conditioner options match a wide variety of crop types
• Faster dry down can increase nutrients retained in harvested crops
• Suitable for traditional dry hay or haylage operations

Conditioner types include:

• Impeller – ideal for light-stemmed grasses and alfalfa that respond well to scuffing of the stems
• Urethane – a soft roll that provides excellent performance in legumes and grasses
• V10 steel – increased crimping for faster dry down and improved wear life
• Tri-Lobe™ conditioner – a premium, patented roll system that uses a chevron design to crimp and crush

John Deere cutterbar with individual modules

John Deere’s patented design cutterbar is made from individual, diagonal-cut modules, making serviceability easy. Each module can be removed for service individually, leaving the remaining cutterbar modules attached to the frame.  

• Nodular iron modules are highly resistant to impact damage
• Large, heavy-duty idler gears reduce driveline speed and wear
• Shear hub protection minimises cost and decreases repair time in the field
• Gauge shoes provide accurate control of cut height and protect cutterbar
• Low-profile cutterbar allows the operator to cut at a flatter angle for improved cut quality and reduced wear on components
• Common oil bath keeps internal components lubricated and reduce oil-level checkpoints

Because John Deere is confident in the reliability, every mower conditioner includes a 5-year warranty on cutterbar components. This gives you peace of mind knowing that if you do experience a warrantable failure, your machine is backed through your experienced, local John Deere dealer.

Shear hub

Each cutting disk is attached to a shearhub (driver) on the splined pinion gear. Power to the disk is interrupted when the driver shears to protect the internal components of the cutterbar. Damage is limited to exposed components and does not require disassembly of the cutting modules.

• Reduces damage to the cutterbar and driveline components
• Improved uptime with limited disassembly required

Gauge shoe

The gauge shoe setting determines the height of the crop stubble, but also prevents the majority of the cutterbar from being in constant contact with abrasive soils and rocks. The S250, S300, S350, C300, C350, and C400 have three height adjustments on the gauge shoe. The C450 and C500 come from the factory with six adjustments. Through service attachments, gauge shoe extensions are available to increase the number of adjustments if there is a need for higher stubble height.

Overview

C400 in transport

An advantage John Deere has over most competitors is that the mower-conditioners will transport directly behind the tractor at the same width as its cut. Operators can transition from road to field configuration and back again quickly and easily.

• Quickly move between fields when road transport is required
• Minimise transport dimensions for improved narrow road transport

Side-pull model in transport position

Side-pull models (S250, S300, and S350) have the tongue positioned in the center of the frame and drivelines that enter from the top to improve transport width.

The C450 also has provisions to allow end-wise transport if you already have a dedicated transport cart. After backing the machine onto the cart and securing it, the tongue can be positioned parallel with the cutting head, allowing it to be towed by the tractor at under 2.8 m (9.2 ft).