John Deere and Tarter USA have teamed up to develop and produce a new line of American-made Flex Wing Rotary Cutters under the Frontier brand, available in 10- and 12-foot widths.
Designed to pair with the 4 Series and 5E3 Series tractors, the FC50 Series Flex Wing Rotary Cutters offer 25-degrees of rotation at the drawbar hitch. The 10-foot cutter has 830 pounds of hitch weight, while the 12-foot variant has 850 pounds.
The G8 CV axle is rated up to 175 horsepower on the transfer case, while the outside wings are rated at 90 horsepower. A ¾-inch steel plate around the gear box and nylon bushings enhances durability and extends service life. Magnetic gear box closures further reduce vibration.
The skid shoes can be replaced by removing four bolts.
Operators can adjust the suspension for reduce shock loads during cutting and transport, as well as adjust the height and rake of unit. Pneumatic or laminated tires are available.
Tarter USA will manufacture the new product line at its Liberty, Kentucky-based production facility, leveraging a “modern manufacturing environment” that includes precision laser cutting, robotic fabrication and integrated robotic and manual welding systems. Tarter says it has been investing in automation and advanced technologies since 2015 to enable consistent quality, efficiency and scalability. The addition of the line has prompted Tarter to add 26 jobs at its facility.
Product performance and durability has been validated through real-world field testing and laboratory simulations designed to replicate long-term operating conditions.
"This partnership represents the best of American manufacturing," said John Doyle, partnered products manager, John Deere. "By combining John Deere's deep understanding of customer needs with Tarter's manufacturing expertise, we are delivering a product that meets the demands of today's operators while reinforcing our commitment to quality and reliability."
The cutters come with a two-year machine warranty and a 10-year gear box warranty.
