It was in 1986 that Schuitemaker launched the world’s first dual purpose forage wagon which allowed both farmers and contractors to use only the one wagon for maize and grass harvesting.
The present Rapide range is said to be unique in that it is equipped with a towing pick-up as standard which is positioned under the the main body, ensuring a more compact construction and maximum ground clearance for silage and field work
Schuitmaker has further worked further on the range, developing its XC models from the present incarnation of the Rapide series which in these latest models have a new rotor housing in which 80 cutting knives achieve a cutting length of 24mm.
With the Schuitemaker’s own star-shaped power rotor, it is said that crop processing is smoother under all conditions ensuring minimum power is required and reducing pressure on the front wall.
To make room for the extra 30 knives over the usual 50, the Schuitemaker Rapide XC has been equipped with 4mm knives to make room for the blades which have a patented cutting shape, reducing the overall power requirement and hence fuel usage.
Moveable panel
The 2.4m wide pick-up has a 3D contour suspension that ensures optimum ground following and so helping to avoid contamination with soil, helping to maintain silage quality in doing so.
The Schuitemaker Rapide XC is also equipped with a combination of a hydraulically movable front panel along with the patented RapidRelease system, which is claimed to significantly increases the capacity of the machine.
The first XC models will be working in the field this coming grass season and are already available through the company’s dealer network.
