Claas unveils new flexible cutterbar range

Agricultural machinery heavyweight Claas has lifted the covers off its new CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX cutterbars, which it says will deliver productivity gains for the brands LEXION line-up of combine harvesters.

Shown for the first time at this year's AgQuip expo, which opened today (August 21) in Gunnedah, NSW, the new CONVIO range is available in widths of 13.8, 12.2 and 10.8 metres, and in both rigid and flexible formats.

According to CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager, Jonathon Ham, both models delivers optimum results across all crops and harvesting conditions.

"CONVIO will have immediate appeal for use in cereals and canola, while CONVIO FLEX is ideal for crops that are harvested closer to the ground, such as pulses," he says.

"Both fronts ensure smooth, reliable flow of cut material with minimal grain loss, even in lighter conditions or direct-cut canola."

Optional equipment includes left and right-mounted 425mm-diameter feed augers and canola knives that can be fitted and removed without tools.

Related reading:
Claas Disco smashes mowing world record
Claas sweeps up innovation medals at Agritechnica 2017

CONVIO FLEX features a flexible knife bar, table and side belts that enable the cutterbar to flex up to 90mm upwards and 135mm downwards.

"The operator can switch from rigid to flexible mode at the touch of a button to deal with patches of lodged cereals or to harvest low-standing crops, such as pulses," says Mr Ham.

"In flex mode, the cutterbar precisely follow ground contours to enable the crop to be harvested as close to the ground as possible."

CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX incorporate a number of operator assistance functions, including automatic belt speed adjustment, cutterbar height control and reel torque control.

"The automatic belt speed function matches the belt speed to the ground speed of the harvester, while the automatic cutterbar height control ensures optimum crop flow," says Mr Ham.

"The cutterbar has an adjustable cam track that ensures optimal crop flow under all conditions.

"The automatic torque control on the reel prevents the tines from digging into the ground and its innovative 'flip-over' design effectively prevents the crop from wrapping around the reel.

"In difficult conditions, such as lodged crops, the reel lifts the crop before it is cut, reducing losses."

The reel, centre belt, side belt and feeder housing can all be reversed, allowing blockages to be eliminated on the move and without leaving the cabin.

"A belt slippage and stoppage warning allows the driver to intervene at an early stage –even at night or when dust levels are high – to prevent critical situations from developing," says Mr Ham.

All cutterbar functions are controlled from inside the cabin via the CEBIS terminal or CMOTION control lever inside the cabin.