CLAAS upgrades variable round balers

With significant improvements to its intake, crop flow, wrapping and maintenance systems, CLAAS VARIANT 400 variable-chamber round balers are more powerful, reliable and easier to use when harvesting hay, silage and straw.

The VARIANT 485 model produces 0.9–1.8 diameter x 1.2 m bales, while the VARIANT 460 produces 0.9–1.55 m diameter x 1.2 m bales.

CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager – Greenline, Blair McAlwee, says the two models feature a rotor structure that turns through a full 360 degrees instead of the previous 180 degrees. The rotor, which comprises pairs of four pointed stars arranged in a helix, then feeds the crop into the chamber. “The rotor achieves 6000 cuts per minute, helping to ensure material is evenly distributed into the bale chamber to create uniformly-shaped bales,” he says. “The rotor rotates in the opposite direction to the four hydraulically-tensioned endless belts, which start rolling the bale automatically. The operator can control the density and the soft core from the terminal.”

The pick-up has four rows of tines across its 2.1 m operating width. The two castor wheels can be adjusted without tools and can stay on the baler during transport. The angle of the leading roller can be adjusted without tools to optimise crop flow, and short augers on either side direct the crop to the rotor.

An optional dual roller crop press developed for JAGUAR forage harvesters and QUADRANT square balers, is also available. “The dual roller crop press is suspended and can be mechanically switched between four different settings without the use of tools,” Blair says. “It allows the intake to be quickly adjusted to suit different operating conditions and ensures a more uniform and faster crop flow, allowing higher operating speeds."

The optional ROTO CUT cutterbar has 14 knives that can be easily removed for sharpening. The PRO specification features an extra-large 2.35 m pick-up width with hydro-pneumatic suspension. “In these models, the cutting floor automatically drops 30 mm when there is a risk of blockage, meaning that the baler can always be driven at its optimal level of performance,” Blair says. “The terminal issues an alarm to warn the operator to reduce forward speed and releases the pressure on the knives. “Once the floor has slipped back into place, the knives are pressurised again.”

The 400 series features edge-to-edge net wrapping as standard, as well as an overhauled netting or twine intake. “A new plate assists with the insertion of netting or twine into the baling chamber, which means that you can be sure that the tying process will start properly under all conditions,” Blair says. “VARIANT 400 models are specified with a wider 1.3 m netting trough that lays the netting over the edges of the bale. Rounded edges are particularly useful if the bales are to be stored outside.”

Other improvements include a reinforced front frame for low-wear belt guidance and the addition of a wide lubricating brush that coats all chains with oil, regardless of the bale count. A central lubrication system is also available.

CLAAS has redesigned the pivot of the tailgate for rapid discharge. “The tailgate can be opened and closed in six seconds, allowing bales to be discharged in a total time of nine seconds,” Blair says. “Each sequence is accurately timed to minimise cycle time.”

VARIANT can be controlled using the Communicator II terminal or other ISOBUS-compatible terminal.

The VARIANT features a simple and clean styling. The drive chains, automatic oiler and optional auto lube system are located on the left-hand side of the baler, with the hydraulics, electrics, net applicator and shelving for two spare rolls of netting are located on the right-hand side. The work platform and fold-down ladder offers a safe workplace for fitting new rolls.

• The CLAAS VARIANT 485 RC.
• The CLAAS VARIANT 460 RF.
• The CLAAS VARIANT 400 series features a 360° rotor star structure.
• The VARIANT 485 and 460 incorporate edge-to-edge net wrapping and ability to take 1.3 netting standard.