In the early 1990s, Krone exited the tillage and manure spreader sector, deciding to solely focus on the production of grass equipment.

According to Bernard Krone, the firm wanted to focus on a niche sector. It first set out manufacturing round balers, big balers and forage wagons.

Shortly afterwards in 1996, the first Big M was developed and in May 2000 the Big X self-propelled forage harvester was introduced in line with Krone’s strategy.

Wanting to hit the ground running, Krone set about offering higher-horsepower forage harvesters with larger headers than the opposition.

Quickly, Krone made itself known as a serious contender in the grass equipment market, now offering both a self-propelled mowing and self-propelled forage harvester solution to contractors across the world.

Debut

On 10 May 1996, Krone introduced a prototype of its first self-propelled high-capacity mower – the 260hp Big M.

Dr Josef Horstmann, who was in charge of project development at the time, regarded its unveiling as a memorable day, but in more ways than one.

The prototype machine was due to get a quick wash in the morning before being presented to the international press later that afternoon.

However, on its way to the garage the electrical harness caught fire.

Fortunately, the blaze was extinguished and after some repairs it was able to perform at its afternoon debut that same day, with nobody any the wiser of the earlier commotion.

The press and the contractors using the Big M on trial were impressed by the machine’s performance and 9.10m cutting width.

In 1999, the Big M found itself in the Guinness Book of Records, having cut 315ha in 24 hours and 15.2ha in 60 minutes.

Having undergone a quarter of a century of developments, the Big M range remains a one-model offering, this being the Big M 450 which was unveiled in 2017 ahead of the 2018 silage season.

So far, in the region of 200 new Big Ms have been sold into the Irish market, with more and more contractors making the move towards the Big M annually.

As contractors continue the quest for higher-output machines to cope with the ever-challenging short window that is silage season here in Ireland, the Big M proves to be the solution for many.

The year 2019 was the most successful for new Big M sales in Ireland, with a record number of 20 units sold. This, we believe, represented almost 20% of all the Big Ms built by Krone that year.

Some of these numbers can only be assumed to be as a result of the success of the Big M 450, which was first showcased in 2017.

Timeline

2001

In 2001, Krone launched the Big M II to replace the original model. It was equipped with a new drive train and a slightly wider working width of 9.7m.

The new drive system adapted the engine speed to the current forward speed, helping reduce fuel consumption and the level of stress and strain on the engine and drives.

These changes added to Big M’s popularity and the 500th Big M was sold in May 2003.

2007

At Agritechnica 2007, Krone presented a new and forward-looking design concept of Big M to the public – the 510hp Big M 500 with a 13.20m work width.

The firm described it as a machine ahead of its time and a preview for what could be possible in the future.

However, the concept of the Big M 500 was phased out, with full focus resuming entirely on the 9.7m Big M II which was continuing to grow in popularity.

By October 2008, the 1,000th unit rolled off the production line at Krone’s factory in Spelle, Germany.

2009

Two years later, at the following Agritechnica in Hannover, Germany, Krone took the wraps off its Big M 400.

Not only did it offer more power over the Big M II, now producing 400hp from its Mercedes engine, but offered other updates as well, some of which included an upgraded cooling system, HeavyDuty cutterbar and SafeCut disc protection.

The Big M 400 brought about the most noticeable update in terms of styling.

Gone were the straight-edged panels and a welcome introduction to the more sleek modern design, more familiar of the Big M as we know it today.

2011

In 2011, the fourth-generation Big M arrived. Named the Big M 420, machines now featured a Stage III B MAN common rail engine. Power output remained the same with 400hp on tap.

However, updates were made to the cooling system.

This could be easily noticed by the larger radiator with rotary screen and exhaust system.

This new automatic cleaning system not only improved operating temperatures, but reduced the time spent cleaning.

2017

The fifth and current generation of the Big M followed in 2017, the Big M 450. Key features of the 450 was the new infinitely variable transmission, new cutter bar and hydraulic ground pressure control for all three mowers which can be controlled from the cab.

A new Stage V Liebherr engine brought with it an extra 49hp, leaving a total output of 450hp and longer 1,000-hour service intervals.

In 2020, Krone unveiled the Big M 450 CR. These roller conditioner models offer steel (M-rolls) or rubber conditioner rollers instead of the more traditional steel tine conditioners.

Although not really applicable to the Irish market, the option of conditioner rollers is more suited to leafy legume crops such as alfalfa.