Technical features of mower-choppers and modern CLAAS forage harvesters

Machines for mowing and chopping grass

and forage crops with chopping 4.3.1 Forage harvesters

In the technological process of preparing chopped hay, KIK-1.4 and KUF-1.8 forage harvesters are used. When equipped with a pick-up attachment instead of a cutter bar, these machines are used for picking up wilted grass from windrows, chopping it, and loading it into transport vehicles.

CLAAS forage harvester family

The forage harvester 900 is designed for mowing green crops and picking up wilted sown and natural grasses from windrows, as well as for harvesting corn and other tall-stalk crops, with simultaneous chopping and loading of the mass into a transport vehicle.

900 harvester equipment:

• Row header for corn harvesting – 6 rows.
• Windrow pick-up – 3 m.

Cab. The spacious two-seater cab is an optimal workplace for the operator. It is made almost entirely of glass, providing 360-degree visibility. All levers, instruments, pedals, and switches required for operation are easily accessible and ergonomically positioned.

Feed intake chamber. The drive mechanism for the feed rollers in the harvester has extreme power. The low-pressure hydraulic system ensures optimal tension of the drive belt. Thanks to the infinitely variable cutting length adjustment system, maximum responsiveness to changing harvesting conditions within a plot is ensured. Via the hydraulic drive, the feed speed—and thus the cutting length—can be changed without leaving the cab. A system is installed on new forage harvesters upon request. Thanks to the automatic stone detection system, your expensive harvester will be reliably protected from damage by large stones.

Chopping unit. The knives on the chopping drum are placed in pairs on the same plane, and the drum has a width of 750 mm. The V-shaped arrangement of the knives provides a pulling shear cut, which saves energy. CLAAS has maximized the efficiency of the knife sharpening process and their subsequent adjustment. The operator performs all operations from the cab without leaving the comfortable workplace.

The transport of the plant mass is characterized by an absolutely straight flow of forage through the entire machine. Corn silage is one of the most important types of feed. For best digestion, all grains must be chopped as finely as possible. This task is successfully solved by the CORN-CRACKER grain processor installed on the machine. If necessary, it can be put into operation in just a few minutes. Drivetrain. Now, depending on the desired road travel speed, you can choose one of two types currently offered on the market: 40 km/h on the road: in 1st gear (working speed), it can reach up to 16.8 km/h. An overdrive gear ensures optimal tractive force. In 2nd gear, the road speed reaches 40 km/h, and in the field – 25 km/h. A model limited to 25 km/h, which is approved for road travel at speeds up to 25 km/h, is an optimal choice for agricultural enterprises that have consolidated their land plots or for agricultural contractors who want to maximize equipment utilization within a narrow operating radius. Technical specifications 850 Engine type OM 460 LA Number and arrangement of cylinders 6, in-line Engine power according to ECE R 24 at 1800 rpm, kW (hp) 303 (412) Engine displacement, l 12.8 Engine speed during harvesting, rpm 2000 Fuel tank + additional tank (optional), l 850 + 150 Fuel consumption monitor not available Drivetrain two-stage automatic transmission with hydrostatic drive Water tank (for silage additives) 410 Header C, m 5.20 Feed chamber width, mm 730 Number of feed and pre-compression rollers 4 Number of speeds for the feeding unit 6

Six-speed mechanical, cutting length with 20–24–28 knives, mm all models infinitely variable adjustment, cutting length with 20–24–28 knives, mm all models Chopping drum:  width, mm 750  diameter, mm 630  speed, rpm 1200  knife arrangement V-shaped with offset  number of knives 20/24/28  knife sharpening device engagement manual from cab or automatic available  shear bar double-sided insert Accelerator drum, working width, mm 680 Discharge chute with collision protection available Discharge chute rotation angle, deg 190 Automatic discharge chute rotation not available Comfortable cab with heater available Comfortable air-suspended seat available On-board information system available Air conditioning available Passenger seat available Centralized lubrication available Base model without attachment:  length in transport position, mm 6431  length 850 in working position, mm 5921  transport width depending on tire size, mm 2990/3295/ 3480/3995  height in transport position, mm..... 3728  height in working position, mm 5600  weight, kg 10840  tires 16.5/85-24 14 PR 540/65-R24 700/50-26.5

The drive system is characterized by simplicity, reliability, and durability. The 970 and 980 models utilize the same drive principle, but for two engines: concept (Figure 43).

Innovative solutions in forage harvesting machinery

The power of two six-cylinder engines is combined by means of a multi-ribbed V-belt. can operate with either one or two engines; i.e., at low loads, the machine can run on a single engine, and when the load increases, it can demonstrate record productivity by utilizing the power of both engines. The rear engine control program is similar to that in an automobile, which allows for a significant reduction in fuel consumption during transport.

It is not always possible to operate the machine at maximum productivity, for example, during high humidity conditions or with low yields. In order to reduce specific fuel consumption in such situations as well, the machine automatically reduces its power, thereby saving fuel. In cases where more power is required, the machine increases it automatically, keeping the engines in an economical mode at 1800 rpm. This function is available on the 970 or 980. In combination with Tempomat, this significantly increases productivity while reducing costs.

It is possible to open the pre-compression rollers up to 180 mm to achieve even greater productivity. There is an efficient accelerator with a discharge power adjustable from the cab, ensuring low power requirements at all times. The drum ensures high-quality performance, stability, and low maintenance costs. Grain processing (cracking) is performed by large rollers . The technological process involves a continuous increase in the speed of the shredded mass, the flow of which is directed toward the center.

Advantages of modern pickups and control systems

Constantly increasing yields and more powerful forage harvesters place stricter requirements on the cleanliness of the pickup and the reliability of headers with simple controls. The new 380 pickup with a working width of 3.8 m meets all these conditions:

• Small pickup rotor diameter with five rows of tines for clean pickup of the mown mass.
• Large auger diameter ensures better transport of silage even at the highest yields.
• Reliable, powerful drive via a two-stage gearbox with simple controls.
• Under extreme operating conditions, wear parts are easily and quickly replaced.
• Ideal ground contour following due to the oscillating frame and foldable gauge wheels, adjustable without tools.
• Convenient and quick mounting/dismounting to the drive via a quick-release coupling and a central lock on the left side.

The new takes over the steering of the new system in combination with the pickup. Thus, a working speed of up to 15 km/h is achieved without fatigue for the driver. Moreover, the driver can concentrate more on filling the transport vehicle and on the harvesting process. The swath is identified by the system in a three-dimensional view and is automatically converted into corresponding signals for the steering; it is activated on the control joystick and deactivated by turning the steering wheel.

The new 610 direct-cut header with a width of 6.10 m ensures:

• higher productivity due to the greater width;
• ideal mass flow due to the equipment with transport hoods;
• clean cuts due to the paddle shaft, optionally with hydraulic height adjustment;
• drive via a quick-release coupling;
• simple attachment and detachment from
• manual lateral contour following for a clean cut.

The 600 and 750 headers ensure an optimal flow of harvested mass and good chopping quality due to:  longitudinal feeding of stalks to the feeder mechanism;  ideal transport of individual rows;  high functional reliability when harvesting various types of forage.

The feed cones guarantee longitudinal direction of corn stalks to the chopping drum. A new orientation of the mown mass ensures optimal transport of the plants. The direct installation of the cones ensures a uniform mass flow, gentle plant transport, and reduced fuel consumption. Each cone is equipped with a 1500 Nm safety clutch.