Watch: 2018 updates for Claas 900 series forage harvesters

In a badly knocked, and in some patches flattened, field of maize that had been planted under plastic, Claas UK in conjunction with Kellys of Borris demonstrated the 16.16l 775hp Claas 970. This is a striking machine with subtle design changes to the engine panels but equally impressive was the maize head. This machine was fitted with a folding 9m 12-row Orbis 900 maize head, something not that common in Ireland but more than suitable for this calibre of harvester.

Approaching the field I could hear the harvester’s distinctive MAN V-8 engine working and being put through its paces by the various contractors who were test-driving it. The crop being harvested had felt the full brunt of ex-hurricane Ophelia so progress was good in one direction of harvesting but annoyingly slow coming back up the field with frequent stops and head blockages a problem. Despite this, the Orbis head did a good job of collecting the crop with waste confined to particularly flattened areas of the field.

Sitting in the driver’s seat this machine is surprisingly quiet considering the power sitting just behind me. After the brief instruction lesson from demonstration driver Dean Cottey, I approached a patch of maize at a 45-degree angle to the direction of planting. Once the head was engaged, the engine’s revs took up and apart from the odd cob all the crop was gathered.

Drive to head is hydraulic with short hoses to minimise power loss with power transmitted via a PTO shaft to the head from the hydraulic pump. The advantages according to Dean are infinite adjustment of the head speed which can be matched to forward speed or independently set. Moving back through the machine, Dean explained a few other changes.

“The rear feed roller now has a hydraulic tensioning system option. This allows for smother crop intake in lumpy grass swards, more consistent pressure on the feed rollers and if needs be the feed rollers can be held open to remove an obstruction that may have got past the stone detector or metal detector.”

There are four different drum options in the machine, with 20 to 36 knives available depending on the crop. The 24-knife drum is one of the most popular options, with the 36-knife drum being more suitable for harvesters feeding AD (anaerobic digesters) plants with chop lengths as short as 3.5mm.

Keeping the knives sharp, Claas has updated the sharpening system by strengthening the bracket on which it is mounted which they say gives more consistent knife edge, especially when the stone is midway across the drum.

The shearbar is held in place with hydraulic clamps, which Claas says gives a tighter hold and makes adjustment easier. Working in tandem with the shearbar adjustment is the cylinder concave. As the shearbar moves closer to the knives, the concave is raised upwards and closer to the drum.

“This allows for a more consistent crop flow and less manual adjustment is needed by the operator.”

Opening the off-side panel, we were reminded of the subtle panel changes that are designed to hold less dirt and make cleaning the machine easier. The cavernous space between the rotating screen and the underside of the cab revealed the corn-cracker. This is probably the biggest update to the machine and something Claas was keen to promote.

Unlike ordinary corn crackers, the Shredlage corn crackers have a greater surface area due to the interlocking horizontal and vertical surfaces of the rollers which shred and pull material apart.

“When farmers look at material, they immediately look to see if the ears are crushed. With these rollers, the crop is shredded and pulled left and right across the surface of the rollers so more surface is exposed. With this system, chop length can be longer and it reduces the need for straw in the diet.”

Motors

Drive to the wheels has also been updated with double 105cc variable displacement hydrostatic motors, meaning engine speed is reduced to 1,400rpm on the headland and 1,290rpm on the road at speeds of 40km/h. Claas claims this will save 10% in fuel.

On the grass pickup, there is a new pendulum frame and ground pressure control system. This, Claas says, is for better ground following and better lifting of grass swards. Other points worth noting on the machine were a higher ground clearance pick-up hitch, tyre inflation system for adjusting tyre pressure on the machine between field and road and low and high volume additive system.