![[Translate to English:] Portalmäher sind wegen ihrer Zuverlässigkeit, der hohen Schnittleistung und der flexiblen Einsetzbarkeit zu einem mähtechnischen Standard geworden](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/a/csm_pm_5a0c1d547e.jpg)
![[Translate to English:] der verringerte Schlupf der Stachelwalzen wirkt sich nachhaltig auf die Hangtauglichkeit des Portalmähers aus](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/f/csm_pm2_e50c21ecc8.jpg)
Portal mower
Portal mowers are a frequently encountered type of machine in alpine agriculture. In conjunction with an appropriately motorised drive, gantry mowers have become a mowing technology standard in this area due to their reliability, high cutting performance and flexibility of use. As with all mowing machines, the equipment features of a gantry mower are adapted to the requirements. The performance class of a gantry mower in terms of motorisation, cutting width and other aspects must be weighed up by the purchaser of such a mower.
Mowing with the gantry mower
The mowing characteristics of a gantry mower depend on a number of parameters. In addition to measurable values such as weight, cutting width, engine power and fuel consumption, other characteristics that are more difficult to determine, such as the uphill mowing and turning behaviour of the straddle mower, are also relevant purchase criteria. A strong rearing behaviour can make mowing with a gantry mower a very strenuous job. How a motorised mower behaves in this respect cannot be expressed in figures, but must be estimated based on the equipment features. The weight of the mower, its construction and the design of the tyres provide an initial indication of the mowing behaviour. The use of spiked rollers is a necessary feature in many situations. The reduced slip of the spiked rollers has a lasting effect on the slope capability of the gantry mower.
Straddle mowers for the most difficult environments
As the actual mowing characteristics of a straddle mower cannot be fully determined on the basis of the performance values, but can only be ascertained in actual mowing operations in very different terrains, test reports in trade journals often provide helpful information with regard to the purchase decision. Test reports from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Engineering can also provide reliable information when deciding on a portal mower. High-quality portal mowers in the so-called "premium class" differ from mid-range mowers in terms of their extensive hydraulic equipment, higher engine power, greater cutterbar width and an optimised centre of gravity, which also enables mowing on extremely steep slopes. However, the higher dead weight of the entire mower, which can be relevant on soils with a low load-bearing capacity, must be taken into account with top-of-the-range mowers.