Agriland travelled to Germany this week where Claas was keen to show off its latest mower developments which took the form of five new machines with augers being used for the first time.

It is the Disco 3900 Direct Swather that represents the biggest departure from the company’s normal practice because it is the first machine from the company that relies on augers to transfer the crop across the width of the mower rather than a belt.

Full width swath with Auger — With the augers lifted out of work the crop is left as a full width swath

The augers can be raised out of work independently of each other and by doing so, Claas suggests that the combination can fulfil four distinct mowing strategies.

The first is full width deposition for the fastest wilting, while the second is integrated central swathing where wilting is not required and the forage harvester will follow on directly from the cutting.

Triticale in swath — The whole crop triticale was left in a high open swath by each auger

This was demonstrated in the field on a crop of direct cut triticale which was left in a high swath by the action of the augers, greatly facilitating drying by the wind.

The third strategy is to combine the two actions and so consolidate an 18m cut to a 12m swath, while number four is clearing the field margin with the outer unit while swathing with the inner.

Hidden engineering

There has been some subtle engineering undertaken to improve the driveline, which sits above the mower, as well as the crop flow, the auger being tapered, to provide a larger diameter at the inner end.

This might seem counterintuitive at first, but the larger diameter will mean a greater amount of material can be wrapped around it and the corresponding shape of the housing means that volume increases as the crop moves inwards collecting more material on the way.

Auger at rear of mower — The tapered auger sits within a shaped casing that allows more crop to be carried the closer it is to the centre

This then would appear to be a versatile machine that requires less power and a lighter tractor than a belt equipped mower, but the lack of any conditioning will limit its appeal in Ireland or any other region with heavy crops.

Belt grouping

For these more challenging situations, Claas has introduced the Disco 9300 C Auto Swather, a more traditional belt type machine that has conditioners fitted as standard.

This mowing set is at the top end of the range and can cope with power inputs in excess of 400hp, marking it down as a heavy-duty tool for the serious farmer or contractor.

Grouper belt raised — The grouper belt is driven by a new multi-fluted roller which the company claims reduce noise levels considerably

The conditioner is fully integrated into the machine’s design rather than a bolt-on extra, as are the groupers, which are laser welded to reduce weight where it matters, right at the rear where the leverage effect would be greatest.

To help reduce fuel consumption, the mower is intended to work with the PTO running at 850rpm, 1000rpm being kept in reserve for tougher patches within the main crop.

The company claims that this results in an average fuel saving of 22%, a figure derived from tests at Kiel University.

Headstock of mower — A optional tilt sensor within the mower headstock can alter the speed of the belts to ensure a uniform swath

From a digital technology perspective the most noticeable innovation is the slope compensation sensor which is available as part of Claas’ Smart Mowing suite.

This sensor detects gradients enabling the system to control belt speed and the ground pressure of each mower unit; the belt on the lower side being accelerated while the higher unit is slowed down, helping to ensure a tidy and uniform swath.

Entry level trends

In addition to these two new mowers, Claas also introduced the Disco 8500 C Trend and the Disco 8500 RC Trend.

These are lighter mowers intended for smaller tractors of 160hp upwards. The design emphasis is on keeping the centre of gravity low and as close to the tractor as possible. Once again they are intended to run at 850rpm to save fuel.

Claas Trend mower — The new Disco 8500 and 1100 mowers are designed to work with lighter tractors

All the mowers share the company’s Max Cut mower bed which has its upper and lower halves bolted together rather than welded.

By doing so, Claas claims that there is a small degree of flexibility built in which can absorb stress rather than have welds, or even the mower bed itself, cracking over time.

Presszure testing — Each Max Cut bed is pressure tested before being fitted to a mower

Each unit is pressure tested in the factory before assembly into a mower and the company claims that despite the lack of welding, the combination rivet bolts that are used produce a seal that oil does not escape from.

Claas is aware, as any other company, that with an increase in power availability and the growing variation in farming systems, more specialist machines tailored to specific needs will be required, and the expanded lin- up of mowers is said to fulfil that demand.

Groupers

Photos: Augers or belts? Claas expands mower range with both