50 years of REFORM two-axle mowers

50 years ago, probably only few people anticipated the rapid development that mountain agriculture would undergo by the invention of the two-axle mower and, above all, the essential, positive impacts of this revolutionary mechanisation leap!

Advertisement

In 1965, Reform-Werke Wels introduced the first two-axle mower – the Mower-Rake Reform 2000.

The innovative goal was to drive the full mechanisation of grassland agriculture on slopes, which was handled at that time primarily using motor mowers and rakes, by a new vehicle concept. It should be possible to work in mountain agriculture under similar working conditions as on plain ground. This stage of development was not only a big step for REFORM but a crucial one for mountain farmers!

The concept of the Reform 2000 was very clear: a vehicle should be designed which for the first time allowed mowing and handling hay (tedding/turning/swath forming) on slope terrains. Initially, this model had a 15hp engine. Already in 1969, it received a more powerful engine with 19 hp.

In 1977, Reform introduced the next highlight on the market, the mowing tractor Metrac 3000.

It had a 35hp Lombardini engine, followed by a Deutz diesel engine. The vehicle had a gearbox with 8 forward and 8 reverse gears and hydrostatic rear steering. The Metrac 3000 was the first Reform two-axle mower with four-wheel drive on the market. It was used primarily with an especially smooth-running Busatis twin-blade, which was hydraulically powered. A major innovation of this model was a small loading ramp for light transport work (e.g. milk cans), which offered a great additional benefit for many customers. For the first time, a fall-safe protection hood was installed for the safety of the driver.

In 1980, REFORM continued its success in the two-axle segment with the Metrac 2002.
The lightweight, extremely slope-capable two axle mower (22 hp) was positioned in the market very effectively and successfully with the message: „In one hour this 1-acre hillside will be a mown lawn.“ The enormous coverage in combination with an attractive purchase price convinced many customers.

The launch of the Metrac 3003 (3-cylinder engine with 30 hp) in 1984 included an innovation with sustained customer benefit: „four-wheel steering“. It should afterwards noticeably facilitate work for many customers on the slopes and in difficult terrain, but also the for municipal care of green areas.
It was with this model that Reform for the first time brought the rotary technology to the mountain area. At 1.90 m, the lightweight rotary mower was perfectly matched to the Metrac 3003, which was equipped with a power-shiftable front PTO.

An optional hydraulic rear linkage with weight compensation was available, which allowed the use of light 3-point tools such as rotary tedder, rotary swather, etc.

A short time later, the Metrac 3003 S with a 38hp Kubota 4-cylinder engine was introduced.

The Metrac 3003 S is until today the best-selling two-axle mower across all brands and models in the history of two-axle mowers. Most of the 3003 S are still in operation. The development of a crab-speed version for the Metrac 3003 S/K model resulted in opening up new markets outside agriculture (municipal).

The next major development step followed in 1993. The Metrac 4004 H was REFORM's first offer of a two-axle mower with hydrostatic drive.

With the 46hp engine, REFORM entered a new performance class. From that time on, REFORM has offered two-axle mowers with both mechanical gearbox and with hydrostatic drive.

A completely new generation was launched with the Metrac H5 in 1997. The tried and tested four-wheel steering, coupled with advances in technology and a new attractive design, impressed a jury of experts, and REFORM was awarded the Austrian State Prize for agricultural machinery.
The focus was on high driving and operating comfort, which is why the Metrac H5 was called „the comfortable one with hydrostat“.
Excellent all-round visibility, clear cockpit, new multifunction control lever with a variety of functions, and the integrated lateral displacement in the front linkage were just some of the main selling points for the Metrac H5.

Smaller and larger innovations have been made during the following years, resulting in an optimally graduated portfolio of two-axle mowers to cover the diverse range of customer requirements in the field of mountain agriculture, municipal technology, intensive lawn care, horticulture and landscaping.

The introduction of the X series in 2009 laid the foundation for the present models. 
The axles were revised, resulting in the implementation of driving/steering axles with final drives. They deliver high pulling force and protect the drive train.
Weight compensation and vibration damping to protect man and machine were other innovations. The cabs were modernised, more space was created, and the controls were ergonomically arranged.

Today, 50 years after the launch of the first two-axle mower model, the Reform 2000, REFORM offers an unparalleled model range for the most diverse needs and requirements: 6 models with mechanical gearbox and 7 models with hydrostatic drive, starting with the entry level models G3 / G3 X with 44 hp up to the new H8 X with 81.5 hp

It is thanks to the spirit of innovation of 50 years ago that the cultivation and maintenance of slope terrains has become safe, efficient and more comfortable. Compactness, agility, low dead weight, low centre of gravity, extreme slope capability, and soil conservation – these were the decisive factors for the impressive REFORM Metrac success story right from the beginning.