Kilkenny contractor says mower ‘performance is unreal'

Agriland

21-05-2025

Kverneland 5387MT mowers deliver on high output, ease of use, and reliability. according to a Kilkenny-based contractor.
Mark Stanley has been working with his uncle, Leeson Stanley, at Leeson Stanley Agricultural Contracting in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, for over 22 years.
Between Leeson's tillage work and Mark's own nearby farm, the pair know what they want from a mower — and they have found it in the Kverneland 5387MT BX butterfly mower.
Mark said: 'We've been using Kverneland since day one.
'When we heard the 5387 was about a tonne and a half lighter than the older model, we said we'd give it a go.
'We were very impressed — they're well-balanced, not hard on the tractor, and the performance is unreal.'
High output, no hassle
With a 250hp tractor up front, the 5387 mowers can easily cover up to 240ac a day on the Stanleys' ground.
Even with 200–220hp, Mark says it runs no problem.
'Before, we were using two sets of doubles. It worked, but one mower was always sitting idle when trying to split nine headland runs.
'With the 5387, every mower is working full-time — it's more efficient, and it pairs perfectly with our swarter,' he said.
QuattroLink suspension: 'Just brilliant'
Mark highlights the QuattroLink suspension system as one of the standout features.
The Kverneland 5387 butterfly mower conditioner delivers a working width of 8.75m, making it ideal for contractors and large farms alike.
Source: Kverneland
Built around Kverneland's unique QuattroLink suspension system, the mower glides over the ground with up to 700mm of vertical movement — 400mm upwards and 300mm downwards — ensuring a clean, even cut across every contour.
The QuattroLink concept, inspired by racing suspension design, features four suspension arms connected to a fixed carrying arm.
This allows the mower to float and respond independently to ground undulations while maintaining precise pressure.
'That's what I love about the suspension,' Mark said.
'You can control how much pressure is on the ground from the cab.
'And more importantly, when it lifts over a bump, it comes back down fast — no missed strips or green patches.'
BX belt swarting: fast, tidy, and flexible
For second-cut silage, the 5387s are fitted with BX belts, which can be easily adjusted or removed.
Mark said: 'You can speed them up or slow them down from the cab using hydraulic pressure.
'We run them at around 25% and the tractor barely knows they're on. The swart is lovely and uniform, or you can lay it flat — you've full control.'
The belts are quick to remove using carrier wheels and quick-release couplings, saving time when switching between cuts.
Dual adjustment for better wilting
The mower features dual adjustment for conditioning, which Mark considers key for optimising wilting and forage quality.
'You can pull it in tight for light second cuts or open it up for heavy crops like haylage or Italian ryegrass.
'It bruises the grass just right — you get great wilt, and it conditions evenly across the width,' he said.
Simple mower controls, easy maintenance
Mark rates the operation and maintenance of the 5387 mowers very highly.
'There's a lovely, simple control box, numbered 1 to 5. You use the same lever the whole time — it's very user-friendly.
The parking stand is great too. You can fold the mower up, and it takes up less space than a trailed mower,' he added.
Maintenance is made easy thanks to thoughtful design.
'The covers lift up high, and you're standing up straight when changing blades — no crouching or straining. It's quick, easy and safe.'
Mark also noted the durability and convenience of the mower's quick-release blades.
'We start the season with a fresh set, turn them all together, then change them all together,' he explained.
'I've never lost a blade with the quick release system. It saves time, and you always know where you stand.'
Non-stop breakback system that works
The mower features an advanced hydraulic breakback system, which reacts faster than traditional spring setups.
Mark said: 'I've hit a few yokes with it over the years — never done damage.
'It pulls the mower back quickly and resets straight away. It's far superior to springs.'
Built to last — and to perform
Now into its sixth season with the 5387s, Mark says the machine is standing up exceptionally well.
'No cracks, no sag, still runs as sweet as the day we got it,' he said.
'No gear noise, no stress on the drive. The Kverneland bed uses equal-sized gears, so power is distributed evenly — no loss in torque like other systems.'
Source: Keverneland
The butterfly mower also uses round discs, which prevent damage from stone strikes.
'They can't physically hit each other, and they repel stones. It's a clever design, and it's been standard on Kverneland for as long as I can remember,' he said.
Reliable dealer support
The mower was supplied through Gordon Hegarty & Sons, who Mark says have been excellent to deal with.
'All our Kverneland kit comes through Hegarty's,' he said
'Parts and service are top notch, and while we've been lucky not to need much, it's good to know the back-up is there.'
Final verdict
Would he recommend the Kverneland 5387 butterfly mower?
'Absolutely. They're light, strong, easy to run and low cost to maintain.
'We've put ours through its paces and it still works like new…. And I'd be hard on a yoke!
'I'd have no problem putting another contractor onto one tomorrow,' Mark said.
Kverneland Group Ireland are now offering 0%* finance on 100% of the VAT Inclusive selling price across the full range of equipment. *T&C's apply
You can contact Kverneland directly for more info –