Mega Maize Front Folds in Just 30sec

CLAAS has upgraded its top-of-the-line ORBIS 900 maize front attachment for its super-capacity JAGUAR forage harvester. Despite an impressive 8.93 metre row-independent operating width, the unit folds to three metres for road-friendly and safe transport in just 30 seconds.

The ORBIS 900 also offers outstanding all-round visibility allowing a transport speed of 40 km/h to be maintained safely. Other features include an automatically-folding transport protection, integrated lighting and excellent visibility in the folded position.

CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager – JAGUAR, Luke Wheeler, says the new front saves transit and set-up times, as well as reducing operator workload. “The front can be unfolded in just 30 seconds and does not require the operator to get down from the cab,” he says.

“A touch of a button at speeds between 2 km/h and 7 km/h is all that is required. “During folding, fully integrated transport protection with warning stickers and lighting automatically pivot into the appropriate position for road travel. “With the front attachment in working position, the transport protection remains safely out of the way in its parked position.

“Additionally, in order not to exceed a drive-axle load of 11.5 t, an integrated transport system is deployed automatically when road travel mode or oscillation damping is activated. “Together with the front attachment detection and automatic drive coupling, this automatic folding system cuts transit and set-up times considerably, as well as reducing the operator’s workload.”

Using the same manufacturing principles as the ORBIS 750 and 600, the ORBIS 900 is capable of cutting stubble as low as 85 mm. “The flat mounting angle of the ORBIS allows for two different positions, making it possible to efficiently cut at very low levels,” Luke says. “These characteristics, together with the use of both small and large three-stage transport discs, mean that the ORBIS 900 can also be used to harvest whole crop silage too, even low-growing or low-yielding crops.

“Large discs immediately ahead of the feeder unit ensure that even large crop volumes can be handled reliably. “Paddles and cob retainers always ensure that cobs that have fallen down are also transported to the feeder unit.”

As before, the guide strips in the high-wear areas can be replaced easily. Instead of the standard crop-flow components, wear-resistant PREMIUM LINE versions can be specified as an option. The latter comprise guide strips in steel, feeder drums with an additional coating and particularly wear-resistant knives with the proven, reliable crescent shape. The modular design of the drums makes repairs easy.

The V-shaped, energy-saving crop transport system is supported by two feeder towers on the impellers on each side. Feeder towers with three speed adjustment settings handle the safe, longitudinal transfer of the crop to the feeder unit.

When lodged maize is to be harvested, side covers with a hydraulically-driven lodged maize auger as well as lodged maize cones for the outer transport discs, an extended centre point and point extensions are available.

The two-speed main gearbox and three-speed feeder tower gearbox make it easy to adjust the speed to different operating conditions. Where the forage harvester has a variable front attachment drive, the first speed is always used on the main gearbox while CEBIS communicates the correct setting for the feeder towers. The gearboxes operate at low revs and therefore reduce wear. Furthermore, all drives have comprehensive overload protection.

Despite its large working width, the ORBIS 900 is able to follow the ground contours optimally. “This is made possible by the tilting frame, which allows up to five degrees tilt, in combination with AUTO CONTOUR hydraulic swing movement compensation,” Luke says. “In addition to the two standard sensor bands at the outer edges, a third, centrally-fitted sensor band is also available. “The long, spring-loaded sensor bands ensure reliable front attachment guidance, whatever the ground characteristics.”

The new ORBIS 900 will be available in New Zealand and Australia in 2021.