About Kosch Manufacturing
Kosch Manufacturing, formerly Kosch Company, in Columbus, Nebraska, has been manufacturing hay equipment since 1947.
Kosch Side Mounted Mower 1947
June 12, 1947
Kosch Manufacturing, located in Columbus, Nebraska, has been manufacturing sickle bar mowers since 1947. The original model was side mounted to the tractor with a 7-foot cutting bar, PTO driven from the tractor power source, and utilized a pitman drive for the sickle.
Kosch Hayvester 1950
May 12, 1950
In the early 50s, Kosch Manufacturing expanded on the mounted mower by adding a second mower to the same tractor (the Hayvester).
Kosch Trailvester 1971
July 12, 1971
In essence, this doubled the output of one man and one tractor. By 1960 more emphasis was being placed on the production of sickle bar mowers for a more specialized market; cutting wild hay (prairie grass). Larger and heavier mowers were developed to withstand the adverse and rough terrain associated with prairie hay production in western Nebraska and the Dakotas. The Hayvester usually was permanently mounted to a tractor, limiting the tractor`s capabilities. As the popularity of the side-mounted mower diminished, 1971 saw the development and production of PTO-driven double bar trail behind units with optional cutting widths of 14`, 16`, and 18`. This new machine was called the Trailvester. This concept allowed the tractor to be utilized for additional uses other than hay production, saving money for the operator.
Kosch Balehandler 1990
September 12, 1990
By 1990 a new product line was being developed for the hay producer. The Kosch Balehandler, a complete self-loading, transporting and unloading, round bale handling system was introduced. The Balehandler is available in either a 6-bale or 8-bale unit. An optional quarter-turn pick-up arm allows the operator to follow the same path as the baler worked the field.
Kosch Trailblazer Hydro & PTO 1998
August 12, 1998
Additional changes to the mowers were made in 1998. Smoother operation was desired to reduce repair costs on the mowers. A pitmanless drive for the sickle was developed, tested, and released to the market. Today, the pitmanless drive mower is available as PTO driven (Trailblazer) or as the more recently developed hydraulically driven unit (Trailblazer Hydro).
Kosch Double Disc Vicon Mower 2014
October 12, 2014
By 2014 the need was apparent for a higher capacity disc mower. Kosch Manufacturing developed a caddy system to carry two Vicon Disc Mowers for a 15FT – 2IN wide cut. The system used a similar design on our double sickle bar mowers with a steerable axle to allow for easy road transport.