Piste professional Stefan Beywl on the new SmartCut tiller

Anyone who talks to Stefan Beywl about piste preparation quickly realises that he is someone who speaks with passion, experience and a clear understanding of what truly matters in day-to-day operations. For many years, the deputy operations manager and experienced piste professional at the Großer Arber ski resort in the Bavarian Forest has ensured perfect conditions on the slopes. Thanks to his many years of experience, he knows exactly what matters in practice and is therefore well qualified to assess new technologies. 

This makes his verdict on the new SmartCut tiller with KFX technology all the more noteworthy. After intensive field testing at the Großer Arber ski resort, Stefan Beywl quickly recognised the potential of the new generation of tillers. “It was time to bring this technology into series production. The results convinced me straight away and show just how much development potential this concept offers,” he reports. 

Stefan Beywl was so impressed by the new tiller technology that it became the decisive factor in the ski resort’s investment decision. “We are specifically purchasing the new PistenBully 600 Polar W with the new SmartCut tiller and KFX,” says Beywl. In his view, the two innovations make an important contribution to even more efficient piste preparation and higher-quality results. 

Perfect pistes with less intervention in the snow 
The experienced operator is particularly impressed by the tiller’s new geometry. The combination of tiller teeth with optimised geometry and two sharp-edged cutting surfaces significantly improves snow processing. “What is particularly convincing is the new tooth design with the pre-cutters and main cutters. You no longer have to work the snow as deeply, yet you still achieve a homogeneous mass for creating a perfect piste,” explains Beywl. The key advantage in daily operation is that the tiller works much closer to the surface than previous systems. “I no longer have to penetrate as deeply into the base. It is sufficient for the pre-cutters and main cutters to process the upper layer to produce a perfect piste finish,” says Beywl. 

Greater efficiency, lower energy consumption 
Although the new tiller has not yet been used for a full winter season at the Großer Arber, Beywl expects noticeable fuel savings. Efficiency and sustainability are important considerations for the ski resort, which already uses alternative fuels such as HVO. “I cannot yet provide any concrete figures on the savings achieved with the new tiller because we have not used it for a full season. However, thanks to the reduced down pressure and shallower penetration, I expect significant fuel savings.” This assessment is fully consistent with Kässbohrer’s experience from global testing at several ski resorts. 

Developed in practice, for practical use 
For Stefan Beywl, the new SmartCut tiller is an example of how genuine innovation is created: through close cooperation between manufacturers and users. His assessment is correspondingly clear. 

The new tiller technology improves piste quality while offering significant potential for more efficient use of resources. It also makes the driver’s work easier and is enjoyable to operate. Or, as Beywl puts it with a twinkle in his eye after many years as a PistenBully driver: 

“A life without PistenBully is possible, but pointless.”