KUHN gyrotedders, which are used in the production of hay in the farming industry, are renowned for their quality of work, performance, reliability and longevity.
The gyrotedders’ arms are manufactured using high strength steel hollow sections – or ‘tubes’ – supplied by Tata Steel to KUHN’s own specification. These minimise the weight of the arms without compromising performance.
Gyrotedders' arms
The arms are hinged so they can be easily folded to meet the width limitations on public roads and quickly unfolded again to work in the fields.
The hinges are cast to very precise dimensions and robot-welded onto the rectangular tube ends. It is vital that the tubes are consistent and accurate in size and shape to avoid resetting the welding robots each time a new arm is to be manufactured.
It’s also crucial that the tubes do not pose a health and safety risk, and that they help to reinforce KUHN’s premium brand positioning.
KUHN recognised that its existing tube specification needed adjusting as it was receiving too many tubes that were too concave, too convex or outside acceptable tolerances.
Tata Steel and KUHN co-developed a new high strength cold formed hollow section specification unique to this application: Hybox TT (Tight Tolerances). This specification corresponds perfectly to the design of the gyrotedders and particularly the welding process of the hinges to the tubes.
Tata Steel’s specialist sector team modified the settings of its tubes mill, which ensured the tight specifications required could be met every time.
The collaboration between KUHN and Tata Steel has improved product quality such that KUHN’s tube rejection rate is now almost zero. The need for manual re-working has been eliminated, which has boosted output yield and overall production efficiency.
Bespoke specification
Tata Steel and Kuhn co-developed a new hollow section specification, unique to this application.
International compliance
New manufacturing specification is twice as stringent as standard EN 10219.
Zero rejection
Improved product quality and consistency mean rejection rates are now almost zero.
Health and safety first
As well as a consistent surface finish, the ends of the tubes are supplied clean, safe and free of burrs.