TDR-30

Thanks to a 4-way hinge that connects the independently floating wing decks together, the TDR-30 acts like a more expensive and complex 5 deck mower than the tri-deck design it is. The narrow spacing between the front and back rollers is easy on the turf, allowing a superior cut and increasing the yield per field. The tractor is required to have one double acting hydraulic circuit with float.

Right Sized – 29′ 6″ Wide Cut!
Going wider reduces the number of passes and time to mow a field, but it would also mean for most producers an investment in a new higher horsepower tractor. So Progressive chose a 30 foot swath as the target width for the TDR-30. The result – an increase of 34% over our popular 22′ sod mowers and a size that will operate efficiently with the tractors that the majority of producers already have on hand.

Unique Flex Deck Design:
Utilizing only one hydraulic circuit that is equipped with float, the TDR-30 is able to flex and easily track the changing contours often found on natural grass farms. Thanks to a 4-way hinge that connects the independently floating wing decks together, the TDR-30 acts like a more expensive and complex 5 deck mower than the tri-deck design it is. The narrow spacing between the front and back rollers is easy on the turf as the mower follows contours, allowing a superior cut and increasing the yield per field. The tractor is required to have a single hydraulic float circuit.

Pro Lift-N-Turn™
The productivity advantage of Progressive’s exclusive Pro Lift-N-Turn is standard equipment on the TDR-30. A challenge for operators of competitive roller mowers is to minimize the damage sliding rollers cause to the turf when turning at the headlands. With the TDR-30, operators have the ability to slightly raise all of the decks off the ground with the PTO still engaged, making turning easier and less stressful on the turf. The weight of the mower is distributed between the tractor and the extra-wide high floatation tires.
Using a single hydraulic lever, the operator can easily raise then lower all decks when turning at the headlands. This time saving feature also means the operator doesn’t need to stop and dis-engaged then re-engage the PTO. Automatic stops prevents the decks from rising too far which otherwise could damage the PTO shafts. The result is less product damage from dragging the rollers across immature turf. Progressive’s exclusive Pro Lift-N-Turn has simply eliminated the issues competitive mowers face when turning at the headlands.

Blade Choices
Focusing on the needs of the natural grass producer, Progressive offers four blade options on our natural grass production mowers. The options include: two fixed blades and two Pro-EZ II replaceable blade tip options in either high or low lifts. This allows the producer to chose which one will best optimize their cut and maintenance costs, depending upon the growing conditions and mowing requirements.
The TDR-30 can be ordered with any of the four different blades types direct from the factory or fitted with another style of Progressive blade at a later date, as the blades all mount to the same blade spindle.

Operators & owners will embrace its familiar operation, low maintenance requirements and the reduction in overlap across each field that comes from the wide 29’6” cutting swath. Common with other Progressive roller mowers, the height of cut is easily adjusted from ½” to 3½”.

Height of Cut Adjustment (HOC)
Incorporating an infinitely variable cut height from ½” to 3 ½” that is both simple to change and a scale that is easy to read. Operators appreciate that in-field adjustments are easy to perform with the supplied tool carried on the mower (inset) . To reduce horsepower requirement and save fuel, decks are designed with a slight built-in forward tip. This ensures that the blade in the ‘back half’ of the cutting swing does not drag on the freshly cut grass.

Ideal Front to Back Deck Balance
The wing pull points are positioned slightly ahead, but much closer to the deck than how competitive models are designed. The result is less loading on the front roller making the TDR-30 well suited for use in soft ground conditions, while the ability to follow changing contours is unsurpassed.

Simple Tractor Connection
Connection between the mower and tractor couldn’t be easier. To accommodate tractors of different sizes and tire combinations, the TDR-30G comes with a four position drawbar hitch. Only two hydraulic lines are required to raise and lower all five decks. Equipped with industry standard quick couplers, the two lines connect to a single double acting hydraulic circuit that is equipped with a float function. An automatic locking collar secures the PTO shaft to the tractor and permits easy removal. A single implement jack supports the mower when the tractor is not attached, making connection alignment easy.

Maintenance Free Blade Spindles
Developed and tested over several years, the TDR-30 is equipped with maintenance free blade spindles as standard equipment. The TDR-30 blade spindle contains both an upper and lower splash shield to help protect the sealed bearings from moisture damage. Maintenance free blade spindles not only protect the owner’s investment from a missed service, it also reduces overall maintenance time and cost.

Extended PTO Greasing Intervals
All of the shafts including the slip joints on the TDR-30G have 100 hour greasing intervals. Additionally, the grease fitting for each universal has been relocated making it easier to see and grease. The extended greasing interval means more productive mowing time is available each day. The easier accessed grease points mean they’ll be serviced when they are scheduled – protecting your investment. A daily pre-use walk-around of the mower and tractor should always be performed, but now this task can be accomplished in less time.

Right Sized for Transport
Designed to permit transport between fields, the TDR-30G’s unique Flex Deck design also allows the wings to be folded to a transport height of 13′ and transport width of 9′. There is no need to roll the mower forward to slide the front decks into or out of the lifting position which is required with competitive 5 deck mowers – an important consideration as space is often limited in maintenance yards. Mechanical locks secure the decks automatically when they are fully raised to the transport position. The wide floatation tires are rated to 25 mph and the independent suspension on transport wheels provides for a smoother ride.

Extra-Wide Profile Tire – Standard Feature
To realize the full benefit from the exclusive Pro Lift-N-Turn feature, Progressive has equipped the TDR-30G with an extra-wide profile tire. They provide a very large ground contact area, so ground pressure is minimized when the decks are raised off the ground using Pro Lift-N-Turn. So not only are the headlands protected from damage caused by sliding rollers that is common with competitive mowers, the standard wide profile tires minimizes the potential for ground compaction as well. A steel cover on the left wheel prevents clipping build-up in the deep rim.

Bolt-on and Galvanized Deck Shells
In late 2007 Progressive responded to this concern and introduced a new design that had the deck skin bolted to a support structure rather than welded. This allows producers to simply change out the deck skin years down the road if required. Also released was a heavy-duty galvanized deck shell solution for those producers in acidic soils. Galvanized decks shells are also favoured where certain fertilizers accelerate corrosion of a painted deck.

Based on this positive experience the TDR-30G mower was introduced with galvanized deck shells that are bolted into place.

Deck Covers
Access to the top of each mower deck is needed for periodic cleaning, belt inspection and adjustment. Progressive has designed the TDR-30G for easy access as only a few bolts need to be removed to access the two belts on each main deck or the single belt on the outer decks.

Drive Belt Design and Adjustment
Efficient power transmission is essential to a quality cut and lower operating costs. The TDR-30 is designed using only two belts per deck. Additional belt wrap around the pulleys enhances belt life as the belt is less likely to slip. A simple jack screw on the idler pulley is used for belt adjustment – deck drive gear boxes do not need to be repositioned, saving time and trouble. Belt adjustment should be the only reason to remove a deck cover other than for inspection and cleaning.

(Illustration shown with covers and gear box support removed)