Claas: New maize cutting header

06-10-2020 | |
Photo: Claas
Photo: Claas

German machinery manufacturer Claas has introduced its latest maize cutting header, the Orbis 900.

The Orbis 900 has an 8.93m overall width which folds down to just a 3m transport width.

Designed with automatically folding transport protection and integrated lighting, the frame of the Orbis 900 consists of 5 parts making it compact with good visibility when transported safely at speeds up to 40 km/h.

The entire folding process takes 30 seconds and does not require the operator to get down from the cab.

Photo: Claas

Photo: Claas

At speeds between 2 and 7 km/h, a touch of a button starts the automatic folding process. With the front attachment in working position, the transport protection remains out of the way in its parking position.

In order not to exceed a drive-axle load of 11.5t, an integrated transport system is available which is deployed automatically when road travel mode or oscillation damping is activated.

Attaching the 8.93m wide Orbis 900 is made easier with attachment detection and automatic drive coupling. The flat mounting angle with 2 different positions and the very flat design make it possible to attain stubble heights as low as 85mm. Large discs immediately ahead of the feeder unit ensure that large crop volumes can be handled. Paddles and cob retainers ensure that cobs that have fallen down are also transported to the feeder unit.

Maize: Ensure an airtight seal in the clamp
Maize silage is a high energy crop especially suitable for demanding cows but it can be an expensive forage to produce if not ensiled properly.

The guide strips in the high-wear areas can be replaced easily. Instead of the standard crop-flow components, wear-resistant premium line versions can be specified as an option.

The latter comprise guide strips in steel, feeder drums with an additional coating and particularly wear-resistant knives with the crescent shape.

The V-shaped crop transport system is supported by 2 feeder cones on the impellers on each side. Feeder drums with 3 speed adjustment settings handle the safe, longitudinal transfer of the crop to the feeder unit.

How to mitigate feed safety risks in ruminant diets
While ruminants are well-designed to leverage the feed-to-food upcycling trend, production efficiency can never come at the expense of safety.

Maize

When lodged maize is to be harvested, side covers with a hydraulically driven lodged maize auger as well as lodged maize cones for the outer transport discs, an extended centre point and point extensions are available. Optional guide bracket extensions can be fitted when working in very tall maize.

The 2-speed main gearbox can adjust the speed of the cutting drums to different operating conditions, and the 3-speed feeder cone gearbox allows speed adjustment to suit different chop lengths.

Where the forage harvester has a variable front attachment drive, the first speed is always used. The gearboxes operate at low revs and therefore reduce wear. Furthermore, all drives have comprehensive overload protection. Claas says the new header will be available in time for the 2021 harvest season

For more info: Claas

Mccullough
Chris Mccullough Freelance multi-media journalist
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