Bednar disc cultivator sets new world record

769.36 hectares. That is the area cultivated using the BEDNAR SWIFTERDISC XE 18400 MEGA disc cultivator during a continuous 24-hour operation (23 hours and 36 minutes of net working time). This is an incredible 125.36 hectares more than the previous record for the most hectares cultivated in 24 hours, set in 2007.

The event, titled "24 HOURS RECORD," was organized by BEDNAR in collaboration with its Romanian dealer and JOHN DEERE distributor, IPSO Agricultură. The record-setting combination of a JOHN DEERE 9RX 640 tractor and the SWIFTERDISC XE 18400 MEGA disc cultivator achieved this impressive result.

About the 24 HOURS RECORD Event
The entire event took place in mid-July in southern Romania, near the city of Slatina. The record attempt was hosted by the agricultural company OLT PIESS SLATINA. Romania was selected mainly due to the large size of local farm fields. To demonstrate real-world use and the potential of the machine, the operation was carried out across six different fields where wheat, winter oilseed rape, and peas had been harvested days earlier. The largest field used during the event measured 161.36 hectares.

Field Conditions and Machine Settings
The large field areas, combined with a wide working width and high operating speed, enabled the team to achieve exceptional performance. Over 23 hours and 36 minutes of continuous operation, the average output reached 32.6 hectares per hour, with fuel consumption at 3.1 liters per hectare. In total, the machine covered 450.7 kilometers and consumed 2,355.6 liters of fuel.

The working depth of the disc cultivator was set at 7 centimeters. Total downtime amounted to only 24 minutes, used for necessary maintenance and refueling. Driver changes were done on the go, even during headland turns.

BEDNAR – A Leader in Wide Working Width Machines
"BEDNAR has specialized in wide working width machines from the very beginning. We produced our first wide machine, the SWIFTER SM seedbed cultivator, in 2003. We've seen growing demand for such equipment, which is one reason why we launched the SWIFTERDISC XE_MEGA model range in 2021. This range now includes three models with working widths from 14.4 to 18.4 meters. I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved during this 24-hour operation. It proves not only the machine's durability under high stress but also the outstanding productivity and efficiency it offers. I believe this machine could be particularly attractive to many European customers, especially given the field sizes it’s capable of handling," says Ing. David Ryčl, Marketing Director at BEDNAR FMT.

Equipment Specifications of the Record-Breaking SWIFTERDISC XE_MEGA
The SWIFTERDISC XE 18400 MEGA used for the record was fitted with specially shaped aggressive discs with a diameter of 560 × 5 mm and a rear V-RING packer with a diameter of 630 mm, including scrapers. Standard equipment includes hydraulic depth adjustment via hydroclips for convenient setting.

Fast turning at the headland is enabled by simply lifting the disc working section; the machine turns using the rear packers, front support wheels, and transport axle. During work, the front axle is lifted to increase downforce on the disc section.

Representatives from BEDNAR, IPSO Agricultură, and JOHN DEERE were present throughout the event. The role of independent referee was fulfilled by an editor from the German agricultural magazine PROFI.