Description

EP-9FZ-2.0 Finger Wheel Tedder

The EP-9FZ-2.0 Finger Wheel Tedder, expertly engineered by India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd, is an industrial-grade, 3-point mounted agricultural implement designed for the rapid aeration and turning of cut hay, straw, and forage crops. Engineered for maximum operational efficiency, it requires a towing tractor with a minimum power output of only 25.73 kW. The implement utilizes a ground-driven design featuring three massive 1500 mm diameter finger wheels equipped with a total of 120 high-tensile spring tines to gently lift and flip the crop over a 2.0-meter working width. Built upon a rugged 372 kg steel frame, it incorporates a hydraulic folding mechanism for seamless transitions between field operation and road transport. Operating at speeds of 7 to 10 km/h and compliant with JB/T7766-2011 standards, this machine serves as a highly economical, structurally superior crop-curing solution for commercial farms globally.

• Optimized 2-Meter Tedding Span: Engineered with three large wheels to cover a precise 2.0-meter width, perfectly sized for aerating standard mower-conditioner swaths.

• Massive 1500mm Finger Wheels: Utilizes three extra-large Φ1500 mm finger wheels that provide a gentle, high-volume sweeping action, ensuring thorough crop inversion without leaf shatter.

• High-Density Spring Tines: Equipped with exactly 120 premium spring tines (40 tines per wheel), ensuring aggressive ground engagement and zero missed crop.

• Hydraulic Folding Convenience: Features an advanced hydraulic folding mechanism controlled directly from the tractor cab, allowing the operator to safely narrow the implement for transport without manual lifting.

• Low Horsepower Requirement: The ground-driven rotation and lightweight 372 kg design mean it can be operated by highly economical utility tractors requiring only ≥25.73 kW (approx. 35 HP).

Product Overview & Value Proposition

What is the EP-9FZ-2.0 Finger Wheel Tedder?

The EP-9FZ-2.0 is a highly efficient forage turning and aerating implement. In the forage harvesting cycle, simply cutting the grass is not enough; the crop must dry to a specific moisture level (typically 14-18 percent) before it can be safely baled and stored. If baled too wet, the hay will mold or combust. The EP-9FZ-2.0 solves this by acting as a tedder. Mounted to the tractor’s 3-point hitch, its angled finger wheels are driven by the forward motion of the tractor. The tines catch the damp, heavy grass lying on the ground and flip it upward and outward, exposing the wet underside to the sun and wind. This dramatically accelerates the evaporation process.

The India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd Manufacturing Advantage

At India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd, we are recognized as India’s premier manufacturer of industry-leading balers. Because we design the machines that compress the hay, we know exactly how critical proper crop moisture is to the baling process. Wet hay jams baler pickups, ruins bale shape, and destroys feed value. We engineered the EP-9FZ-2.0 to be the perfect companion to our baler lineup. By utilizing a simple, PTO-free ground-driven wheel design combined with heavy-duty Indian structural steel, we provide a machine that turns hay faster and with less maintenance than complex European rotary tedders. Global procurement managers secure an implement that guarantees their crop is cured perfectly, protecting the health of the livestock and the profitability of the farm.

The Agronomic Science: Why Tedding is Crucial for Premium Bales

Baling high-quality forage is a race against unpredictable weather. The EP-9FZ-2.0 is designed to manipulate the crop biology and physics to your advantage.

• Accelerated Dry-Down (Curing): Cut grass in a swath dries unevenly; the top bleaches in the sun while the bottom remains trapped in humid microclimates against the damp soil. The EP-9FZ-2.0 lifts and inverts this swath. By fluffing the crop over a 2-meter width, it maximizes surface area exposure to ambient air and solar radiation, cutting drying times by up to 50 percent.

• Preserving Relative Feed Value (RFV): For legumes like alfalfa, aggressive PTO-driven rotary tedders can strike the crop too hard, shattering the brittle, protein-rich leaves. The ground-driven rotation of our 1500 mm finger wheels provides a gentle lifting action. The 120 spring tines roll the crop rather than whipping it, preserving the maximum nutritional value.

• Preventing Clostridial Spoilage: Hay baled with “wet spots” will ferment improperly, leading to mold and dangerous clostridial bacteria growth. Thoroughly tedding the field ensures uniform moisture content across every inch of the swath, resulting in stable, sweet-smelling bales that cattle thrive on.

Technical Specifications Table

Item	Parameter	Unit	Specification
1	Product Name	/	EP-9FZ-2.0 Finger Wheel Tedder
2	Linkage / Hitch Type	/	3-Point Mounted
3	Folding Mechanism	/	Hydraulic
4	Total Tine Quantity	pcs	120 (40 tines/wheel × 3 wheels)
5	Total Finger Wheels	pcs	3
6	Finger Wheel Diameter	mm	Φ1500
7	Working Width (Tedding)	m	2.0
8	Matched Power Requirement	kW	≥ 25.73 (Approx. 35 HP)
9	Operational Speed	km/h	7 – 10
10	Working Dimensions (L × W × H)	mm	3500 × 3500 × 1500
11	Net Structural Weight	kg	372
12	Manufacturing Standard	/	JB/T7766-2011

Data referenced strictly from standard India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd factory engineering blueprints and product catalog.

Material, Metallurgy & Quality Control Standards

Operating at speeds up to 10 km/h over uneven, sun-baked terrain induces intense vibration. We over-engineer the EP-9FZ-2.0 to ensure zero mid-harvest downtime.

Premium Engineering Materials

• Heavy-Duty Steel Chassis: The main 3-point frame is fabricated from high-yield structural carbon steel forged in India. Weighing a compact yet robust 372 kg, the chassis features reinforced gussets at the hitch points to handle the lifting and towing forces.

• High-Carbon Spring Tines (120 Pcs): The 120 tines are forged from premium 65Mn high-carbon spring steel. They undergo a precise oil-quench and tempering process to achieve dynamic elasticity, allowing them to flick heavy, wet grass and strike hidden stones without permanent deformation.

• Oversized 1500mm Wheel Rims: The massive Φ1500 mm wheels are rolled from heavy-gauge tubular steel. The large diameter reduces the rotational RPM required to turn the hay, minimizing bearing wear and providing a smoother rolling action over deep irrigation ruts.

• Industrial Hydraulic Cylinder: The folding mechanism relies on a heavy-duty hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder rod is hard-chrome plated to resist corrosion from plant acids and weather exposure.

India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd Rigorous Quality Workflow

1. Compliance Verification: Every unit is built to strictly comply with the JB/T7766-2011 agricultural machinery standards, ensuring baseline quality and safety metrics are met or exceeded.

2. Hydraulic Load Simulation: The hydraulic folding system is repeatedly cycled under load at the factory to ensure the tractor’s SCV can smoothly lift the outer wheels into the transport position without pressure drops or hydraulic leaks.

3. Electrostatic Armor Coating: The entire steel assembly is sandblasted to bare metal and coated with an industrial-grade, UV-resistant electrostatic powder finish. This protects the tedder from the highly corrosive environment of wet forage and chemical fertilizers.

Western Europe & Germany: Precision Moisture Control

European dairy operations are highly focused on the exact moisture content of their haylage and silage. If the crop is slightly too wet, the EP-9FZ-2.0 can be deployed to gently flip the swath once more, bringing the moisture down to the perfect percentage for anaerobic fermentation. The 3-point mounted design allows the German farmer to lift the entire implement over headlands, preventing unnecessary soil disturbance.

Compatibility & Replacement Guide

The EP-9FZ-2.0 is engineered with universal 3-point hitch and hydraulic standards, making it the smartest, most economical replacement choice for aging fleets of European or North American rotary tedders.

Equipment Replacement Structure

• Replacement for Complex Rotary Tedders: The EP-9FZ-2.0 provides equivalent crop aeration but completely eliminates the need for a PTO shaft, bevel gears, and universal joints. This drastically cuts maintenance costs and reduces the required tractor horsepower.

• Replacement for Sitrex & Tonutti Small Wheel Rakes: Delivers identical gentle, ground-driven lifting power and features a superior hydraulic folding mechanism for rapid transport transition.

• Upgrade from Manual Labor: For emerging commercial farms, this implement completely eliminates the back-breaking manual labor of pitchfork-turning hay, streamlining farm logistics for mid-sized operations.

Hitch & Hydraulic Compatibility

• Linkage Compatibility: Features a standard Category 1 and Category 2 three-point hitch geometry (悬挂式), mating perfectly with utility tractors globally.

• Hydraulic Integration: Requires standard tractor SCV remotes to supply pressure for the hydraulic folding mechanism (液压式). Equipped with standard ISO 7241-1 Series A quick-release male tips. Compatible directly with John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Valtra, Mahindra, and Massey Ferguson tractors.

Installation & Setup Guide

Proper setup guarantees that the EP-9FZ-2.0 operates safely and maximizes its 2.0-meter curing width.

1. 3-Point Hitch Connection: Carefully reverse the tractor to align the draft links with the tedder’s lower hitch pins. Attach the lower links, followed by the adjustable top link. Secure all connections with linchpins.

2. Hydraulic Integration: Wipe the hydraulic coupler clean. Insert the hose for the folding cylinder into the tractor’s rear SCV.

3. Leveling and Angle Calibration: Using the tractor’s top link turnbuckle, adjust the pitch of the implement. The three 1500 mm finger wheels should lean slightly forward. The 120 spring tines should lightly brush the stubble to ensure they catch the crop and use ground friction to spin, without digging aggressively into the dirt.

4. Operational Testing: Lift the implement fully using the 3-point hitch. Engage the hydraulic remote to test the folding mechanism. Ensure the outer wheels fold up smoothly and securely for transport mode.

5. Field Speed: Lower the implement into the working position. Accelerate the tractor to the optimal operating speed of 7 to 10 km/h to ensure the wheels spin fast enough to aggressively fluff and invert the hay.

Comprehensive Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide

While the EP-9FZ-2.0 is built for brutal agricultural conditions, routine inspections are required to protect your investment and ensure safe, high-speed turning.

Routine Maintenance Schedule

• Daily Checks (Every 10 Operating Hours):

  • Visually inspect all 120 spring tines across the three wheels for any signs of bending or breakage. Replace immediately to ensure an even 2m tedding spread.

  • Check the hydraulic hose and folding cylinder for any signs of abrasion, pinching, or fluid weeping.

• Weekly Checks (Every 50 Operating Hours):

  • Using a grease gun loaded with high-quality NLGI 2 lithium grease, thoroughly lubricate the central wheel hub bearings on all three Φ1500 mm wheels.

  • Grease the pivot hinge of the hydraulic folding arm.

  • Verify the structural integrity of the 3-point hitch pins and tighten all structural frame bolts.

• End of Season Storage:

  • Power-wash the entire 372 kg implement to remove corrosive soil, dust, and plant sap.

  • Fully retract the hydraulic cylinder, or coat the exposed chrome rod with anti-corrosion grease to prevent pitting.

  • Store the machine in a dry, covered shed to protect the paint and rubber components.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Issue: The finger wheels are not spinning, and the hay is dragging.

  • Solution: The top link is adjusted too short, lifting the tines entirely off the ground, or you are driving too slowly. Lengthen the top link so the tines lightly engage the ground, and maintain a speed of 7-10 km/h.

• Issue: The hay is twisting into ropes instead of fluffing.

  • Solution: The pitch angle of the wheels is incorrect relative to the crop volume. Adjust the 3-point hitch height and top link to change the angle of attack, allowing the hay to release freely from the tines.

• Issue: The hydraulic folding arm is slow or fails to lift.

  • Solution: The tractor’s hydraulic fluid level may be low, or the quick-release coupler is not fully seated. Check tractor fluid and reseat the ISO coupler.

Customer Testimonials

Rajesh K., Custom Harvesting Operator, Punjab, India:

“In Punjab, when we cut grass for hay, we have a very short window to dry it before the dew sets in. We bought the EP-9FZ-2.0 from India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd to speed up the curing. It is incredible. The 3 large wheels fluff the grass perfectly, cutting our drying time in half. Pulling it with our 40 HP Mahindra tractor is effortless. A masterpiece of Indian manufacturing.”

David L., Equine Hay Producer, Kentucky, USA:

“We needed to streamline our hay curing but hated the maintenance on our old PTO-driven rotary tedder. This 3-wheel finger tedder does exactly what we need. The 1500 mm wheels roll over our fields smoothly, and the hydraulic folding makes getting through our narrow gates a breeze. It is built solid and serves as a highly economical alternative to European brands.”

Carlos R., Biomass Contractor, São Paulo, Brazil:

“Tropical grass takes forever to dry if you leave it in a tight swath. The 372 kg steel chassis on the EP-9FZ-2.0 is extremely durable. The ground-driven tines lift the wettest, heaviest grass without hesitation, exposing it to the sun. It has revolutionized our field prep before baling.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the minimum tractor horsepower required to operate the EP-9FZ-2.0? A: You only need a small utility tractor with a minimum power output of 25.73 kW (approximately 35 HP) to carry the machine and operate the hydraulic folding system efficiently.

Q2: How wide is the working path of this machine? A: It is designed to ted and aerate a working width of 2.0 meters in a single pass.

Q3: How many wheels and tines does it have? A: The machine features 3 large finger wheels, each with a diameter of 1500 mm, equipped with a total of 120 spring tines (40 tines per wheel).

Q4: How fast should I drive while tedding? A: For optimal spinning action and crop fluffing, the recommended operational speed is between 7 and 10 km/h.

Q5: Does the machine require a PTO connection to spin the wheels?

A: No. The spinning action is completely ground-driven via the forward motion of the tractor. The wheels rotate as the tines lightly contact the crop and the ground.

Q6: What is the hydraulic connection used for? A: The hydraulic connection is solely used for the hydraulic folding mechanism (液压式), which allows you to fold the outer wheel upward for safe and narrow transport.

Q7: What are the overall dimensions of the machine? A: The working dimensions of the machine are 3500 mm long, 3500 mm wide, and 1500 mm high.

Q8: How heavy is the tedder? A: The net structural weight of the implement is 372 kg.

Q9: Why buy from an Indian baler manufacturer?

A: India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd intimately understands the entire forage cycle. Because we design heavy-duty balers, we know exactly what moisture content is required for perfect bales. We designed this tedder to guarantee you achieve that moisture level faster and more reliably.

Q10: Do you offer OEM customization for agricultural dealers?

A: Yes. As a premier source factory, we offer comprehensive OEM/ODM services, including custom paint, branding, and specific linkage configurations for bulk global orders.

Anti-Hallucination Notes

Disclaimer: The technical parameters, dimensions (3500×3500×1500 mm), working width (2m), tine quantity (120), wheel diameter (Φ1500), folding mechanism (Hydraulic), structural weight (372 kg), and operational capabilities stated in this document (e.g., ≥25.73 kW power requirement, 7-10 km/h speed) are strictly based on standard factory testing of the 9FZ-2.0 model as published by India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd. Actual field performance may vary depending on terrain, crop moisture, and tractor hydraulic capabilities. All compatibility claims refer to functional equivalence and standard hitch matching (ISO). Always consult the official India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd engineering manuals before making procurement or setup decisions.

Ready to Accelerate Your Hay Curing Process?

Eliminate the bottleneck in your harvest with the EP-9FZ-2.0 Finger Wheel Tedder. Built by India’s premier baler experts, this PTO-free, ground-driven powerhouse ensures your crop dries faster and more uniformly, drastically cutting your curing time—all using your existing low-horsepower tractors. Whether you manage wet monsoon grasses in India or premium alfalfa fields in the USA, India Straw Baler Co.,Ltd delivers heavy-duty forage solutions you can bank on.

Contact our expert engineering team today at [email protected] for a customized quote, global shipping logistics, and technical consultation!