New flexible cutterbar delivers a close shave
GLOBAL harvesting giant, CLAAS will release its all-new series of long-awaited draper fronts for the category-leading range of LEXION combine harvesters at this year’s Agquip field days.
GLOBAL harvesting giant, CLAAS will release its all-new series of long-awaited draper fronts for the category-leading range of LEXION combine harvesters at this year’s Agquip field days. Available in working widths of 13.8, 12.3 and 10.8 metres, the new CONVIO series is available in both rigid and flexible configurations.
CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager, Jonathon Ham, says both models deliver optimum performance in all crops and harvesting conditions. “CONVIO will have immediate appeal for use in cereals and canola, while CONVIO FLEX is ideal for crops that are harvested closer to the ground, such as pulses,” he says. “Both fronts ensure smooth, reliable flow of cut material with minimal grain loss, even in lighter conditions or direct-cut canola.”
Optional equipment includes left and right-mounted 425 mm diameter feed augers and canola knives that can fitted and removed without tools. CONVIO FLEX features a flexible knife bar, table and side belts that enable the cutterbar to flex up to 90 mm upwards and 135 mm downwards.
“The operator can switch from rigid to flexible mode at the touch of a button to deal with patches of lodged cereals or to harvest low-standing crops, such as pulses,” Jono says. “In flex mode, the cutterbar precisely follow ground contours to enable the crop to be harvested as close to the ground as possible.”
“CONVIO will have immediate appeal for use in cereals and canola, while CONVIO FLEX is ideal for crops that are harvested closer to the ground, such as pulses,” he says.
CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX incorporate a number of operator assistance functions, including automatic belt speed adjustment, cutterbar height control and reel torque control. “The automatic belt speed function matches the belt speed to the ground speed of the harvester, while the automatic cutterbar height control ensures optimum crop flow,” Jono says.
“The cutterbar has an adjustable cam track that ensures optimal crop flow under all conditions. “The automatic torque control on the reel prevents the tines from digging into the ground and its innovative ‘flip-over’ design effectively prevents the crop from wrapping around the reel. “In difficult conditions, such as lodged crops, the reel lifts the crop before it is cut, reducing losses.”
The reel, centre belt, side belt and feeder housing can all be reversed, allowing blockages to be eliminated on-the-move and without leaving the cabin. “A belt slippage and stoppage warning allows the driver to intervene at an early stage –even at night or when dust levels are high – to prevent critical situations from developing,” Jono says. All cutterbar functions are controlled from inside the cabin via the CEBIS terminal or CMOTION control lever inside the cabin.
