New Holland has launched the Speedrower 1 Series self-propelled windrower for hay and forage operations which the OEM says combines increased horsepower, revised operator controls, upgraded cooling and yield monitoring integrated with FieldOps connectivity.
The four-model line-up ranges from 161 to 308 peak horsepower and is headed by the Speedrower 301, which delivers 285 rated horsepower and 308 peak horsepower. Using the SensiDrive drive-by-wire system, the range reaches field speeds of up to 20mph and transport speeds of up to 30mph, which the manufacturer says represents a 10–20% improvement over competitive windrowers.
A 150-gallon fuel tank increases runtime by up to 43% compared with previous models, giving the Speedrower 301 the capacity to operate a 10-hour workday without refuelling. A redesigned cooling package features a larger rear screen, expanded cooling surface area and a hydraulic variable-speed reversing fan. The cooling system includes a fan reversing function with three operating scenarios: a five-second temperature failsafe reversal if the engine reaches 203°F; a customisable timer that clears the screen when the PTO is active; and a manual Power Clean mode that runs a 20-second reversing cycle when the PTO is off.
The Speedrower 1 Series introduces Relative Yield Monitoring integrated with FieldOps connectivity. The system generates real-time relative yield maps during harvest, helping operators adjust ground speed in lighter crops or manage cut quality in heavier forage. Field data is captured and stored in FieldOps, allowing performance to be compared across fields and seasons, and can inform decisions including irrigation management, nutrient planning, pest scouting and zone-based soil sampling. FieldOps connectivity is included for life on all Speedrower 1 Series models without recurring subscription fees.
“When New Holland launched the Speedrower Plus Series in 2022, we said it was the building block for the future,” says Jordan Milewski, self-propelled windrower product marketing manager for New Holland North America. “The Speedrower 1 Series represents the next evolution of that vision by bringing together more power, more productivity, more performance and more precision technology to help growers make smarter decisions both in and out of the field.”
The range features the AutoFloat Header Floatation System, which continuously monitors and adjusts floatation pressure to help maintain more consistent header ground pressure. Operators can calibrate floatation from the cab using the IntelliView IV Plus display, which has a larger 12.1-inch screen and larger icons. Comfort Ride cab suspension and Terraglide rear axle suspension are also fitted to improve ride quality.
All Speedrower 1 Series models are compatible with Durabine Plus disc heads, Haybine sickle heads and Honey Bee WSC draper heads, with Auto Header Identification retaining previous floatation and speed settings when switching between heads. The Speedrower 161 introduces a variable displacement header drive system that allows disc cutting with the Durabine 413 Plus disc header and enhances sickle head performance. The models also feature refreshed styling, including a black frame, silver rims and blue model numbering.
“For many hay and forage growers, this level of field data visibility simply hasn’t existed or been accessible historically,” Milewski says. “Relative Yield Monitoring and FieldOps help take the guesswork out of managing a field by providing a clearer understanding of what’s happening acre by acre and even more granularly.”
Images: New Holland
