Claas has become the first manufacturer to launch a forage harvester with a factory-integrated crawler track system.

The family business, founded in 1913, launched its first ever combine series to offer full rubber tracks 30 years ago. Terra Trac followed a few years later.

The new concept to feature on the Jaguar 960 offers optimal soil protection in every condition, according to Claas.

Included is the new intelligent headland protection system. When turning, the support rollers in each track unit are pushed down hydraulically and the front drive roller is raised. This reduces the contact area by about one third thus preventing damage to grassland and crops, according to Claas.

Three track widths are on offer: 635mm, 735mm, and 890mm. Claas says that even the narrowest 635mm track has a contact area of more than 1.3m2, which is over twice that provided by an 800 tyre.

When equipped with the 635mm tracks it still has an external width of 3 meters, meeting legal road requirements.

The suspended chassis allows a top speed of 40km/h.

Terra Trac models feature a 1 meter extension to their chassis length, accommodating the track system and allowing for a more accessible maintenance compartment, according to Claas.