CLAAS demos latest line of hay tools – 2018 AFIA Fodder Festival

For the inaugural Fodder Festival this year, CLAAS made an impact with its Disco 3200 mower, Volto 60 tedder and Liner 2700 rake.

CLAAS Greenline (New Zealand) group product manager, Luke Wheeler, outlined the rear-mounted CONTOUR CLAAS Disco 3200 mower.

The easily adjustable 3m machine features a compact transport position, continuous suspension, and mechanical breakback protection.

“We opted to bring a tined conditioner to this event and talk about fodder quality,” Wheeler said.

“The tine is mounted on a rubber block so when the cut material moves over the top of the conditioner, it helps break down the wax layer, accelerating the wilting and drying time.

“There is an easy adjustment on the side of the mower to alter the conditioner.”

The 120 degree road transport position makes the machine stable and compact on the road.

The rear axle load is evenly distributed, preventing rocking during the journey.

“To assist fodder quality, there is an infinitely adjustable hydraulic active float pressure system,” Wheeler said.

“The operator can hydraulically increase the flotation pressure on the move from the tractor cab.

“That carries the weight of the cutter bar, allowing good ground contact without damaging the crop.

“We have several different options  - CLAAS run with a 38mm cutting height as standard. After that we can add some high-cut skids to increase the height by a further 30mm.

“Regardless of what option you choose, there is good tunneling under the cutterbar to allow the soil and bottom material to get underneath.”

The 5.8m CLAAS Volto 60 Tedder was another machine outlined by Luke Wheeler.

To adapt the machine to harvesting conditions, the spreading angle can be set over a range from 12 to 18 degrees depending on the model.

The tines can be adjusted forwards or backwards by seven degrees, allowing the operator to fine tune the desired spreading pattern.

“If we get into light fluffy crops and windy conditions, it can be moved to a flatter angle for a wide spread pattern,” Wheeler said.

“For wetter, heavier material, the tine bolt can be undone and the tine can be moved to plus or minus seven degrees, helping with a clean pick up.”

Wheeler said the 29.3 degrees trailed connection had a positive impact on crop delivery.

“The tine is facing the working direction 33 per cent longer than standard, giving the operator the ability to work faster, or with a lower engine speed.”

CLAAS Harvest Centre Echuca dealer principal, Brendan Caffery, spoke on the CLAAS Liner 2700 rake.

Ranging from 6.8 to 7.4m wide, the CLAAS Liner features a continuously lubricated, maintenance-free rotor dome assembly.

It has an intelligent drive concept with individual rotor overload protection, combined with a robust and durable cam track.

The Liner 2700 is fitted with the PROFIX tine arm attachment system.

With a maximum swathe width of 2m, it is ideal for farms organising their own baling or loading operations.

Caffery said the Liner 2700 features adjustable hydraulic step sequencing.

When lifting at the headland, Caffery described it as the ‘jet plane effect’, with the front section of the rotor raised first.

During lowering, the rear chassis wheels contact the ground first before the front wheels.

The swathe width is mechanically adjustable according to the operating conditions.

“It follows the ground well and there is the ability to adjust the width of the centre row so you are presenting a full width to the baler,” Caffery said.

In all models, the wheels of the frame are controlled with active steering.

Caffery said the Liner 2700 has a maintenance-free, hermetically sealed rotor dome assembly, permanently filled with oil.