New windrower from Hesston fine-tunes legacy

AGCO is introducing a new self-propelled windrower from Hesston by Massey Ferguson. 

Hesston has been known for its hay and forage equipment since 1955, when the company released the first commercially available self-propelled windrower. The WR Series self-propelled windrower fine-tunes that legacy – it’s designed to have a 10% efficiency boost from previous windrowers with an increase in power, equipment uptime, and operator comfort. 

“When it comes to high-quality hay, every hour counts,” says Matt LeCroy, hay and forage marketing director, North America. “Massey Ferguson customers rely on the straightforward and dependable nature of their equipment to efficiently accomplish work across their farms. The new WR Series windrower allows them to maximize their time in the field with minimized impact on the environment all while riding in one of the most comfortable high-tech cabs on the market.”

Added power or savings

The new WR Series offers a closed center auxiliary hydraulic system which, depending on the operator’s needs, can be set for fuel savings or an increase in available power. This also comes with a new, larger 150-gallon fuel tank so you can spend more time in the field.

The power increase comes in the form of a new engine, with up to 265 hp. at 2,100 rpm and over 280 hp. at 1,950 rpm. The WR197 windrower model features a 4.9-liter, four-cylinder engine while the WR235 and WR265 models come equipped with a 7.4-liter, six-cylinder engine.

Additionally, a large tandem hydraulic header drive pump offers increased hydraulic capacity and control, allowing producers to run disc or draper heads on the WR series windrowers.

Cab comforts

These new WR Series windrowers come with some of the comforts and technology operators may be familiar with from other Massey Ferguson products.

The 9-inch Datatronic 5 touchscreen, running on software similar to a smartphone, collects all the windrower’s operations in one convenient place. The user interface is designed for ease of use and increased productivity. A profile system allows users to set operational preferences to match the individual needs of whoever gets behind the wheel. This system also includes the MF Guide and other smart farming technologies, all included in the design to reduce overlaps and save fuel in field operations. 

The spacious and ergonomically designed cab has a high-visibility, rounded front windshield and tinted rear glass to have a clear, unobstructed view during fieldwork and transport. 

The suspended rear axle absorbs shock and bounce, and an optional four-point air bag suspension makes for smooth operating experience.

Price and availability

The WR Series self-propelled windrower and header start at $205,000 for the base WR197 with 9313S to $290,000 for the full spec WR265 with 9316D. The WR Series begins production in Q3 2022, with retail deliveries expected to begin Q4 2022. For more information, visit masseyferguson.com.