The new Maschio Gaspardo's innovative rotary harrow

With three working widths (5, 6 and 7 meters), this piece of equipment can be combined with tractors with power ranging from 160 to 400 Hp. These are the numbers for Maschio Gaspardo's new Toro Super Rapido rotary harrow. Hydraulic operation of the roller allows this machinery to work up to a refining depth of 28 cm, and limit its size to just 2.4 meters during road transport. The Toro Super Rapido is the natural evolution of the Toro Rapido Plus, one of the flagship products of the Campodarsego-based company. Maschio Gaspardo also lays out a detailed series of improvements. The rotary harrow is equipped with a double-skin structure. The tank frame that houses the transmission is made of high-strength steel (internal 6 mm, external 5 mm) to provide greater strength and robustness. The rotor shafts are machined by turning from a single piece of forged hardened steel. Gear grooves and threads are produced using a toothing process that works by pressure (rolling) and not by removing material, thus ensuring the strength of the metal and a good fit of the gear.

Twelve rotors in three meters. The short pitch of just 246 mm between the rotors (12 rotors in 3 m) helps to split the torque more evenly, reducing power absorption. The phasing of the rotors allows for the gradual entry of the tools into the working face, facilitating advancement during the working phase and limiting vibrations. According to Maschio Gaspardo, the smaller distance between the rotors (246 mm precisely) provides better soil refinement compared to the competition. The new rotary harrow condenses several other improvement solutions, starting with the patented Power Hub which includes bearings and supports, whose new geometries offer an increased load capacity. On this model Maschio Gaspardo has also replaced the old plastic cardan shaft guards with safer, more durable and robust new telescopic steel plates. Double grease fittings have been introduced on the universal joints and synthetic oil on all gearboxes, which allows for better coupling with higher powered tractors. The gears are tempered and case-hardened, while the heavy-duty bearings and the new 20 cm levelling bar ensure better soil refining. The rollers have also benefited from important innovations with new “armored” bearings that protect the internal mechanics from any type of contamination, extending maintenance intervals. Their service life is triple that of older models. Finally, new high-strength steel side plates are more robust, durable and reliable.

Collaboration with the Italian School of Design. The new ergonomic design of the harrow is the result of collaboration between the Maschio Gaspardo Research and Development department and the Italian School of Design (SID), which made it possible to endow this piece of equipment with an attractive profile. For greater efficiency in the field, new holes have been placed in the upper plate and the lower beam of the frame to prevent excessive accumulation of dust and soil. The risk of overheating due to accumulation of dust that retains heat is drastically reduced and at the same time protects the integrity of the opening and closing linkage of the folding frame.