Claas unveils next-generation large square baler concept ahead of Agritechnica 2025
Innovation awards at international agricultural events are always on the wishlist of manufacturers.
Renowned as market leaders in the self-propelled forage harvester sector, Claas has used its experience of chopping a wide range of crops on farms worldwide to improve the heart of the machine – the chopping cylinder.
The new cylinder, known as V-Flex, claims to mark a new milestone in chopping cylinder technology.
Initially available on 900 and 900 Terra Trac Series machines as an alternative option to the V-Classic and V-Max cylinders, it is said to offer greater versatility when it comes to knife configuration. In combination with the new knives that it comes equipped with, Claas maintains that it has set new standards for smooth running and knife service life and enhanced chopping quality.
The new design enables higher throughputs, reduces noise levels and ensures smoother running with more consistent crop flow, especially for chop lengths over 12mm. The V-FLEX chopping cylinder is available in four versions, using 20, 24, 28 or 36 knives and can be configured as a full set of knives, half or one third the number of knives, to extend the length of cut, from 3.5 to 53mm.
High knife stability and the triple bolt fastening offers high knife stability, while also allowing the clearance between the cylinder and the shear bar to be reduced to achieve better chopping quality.
Meanwhile, Claas has also reconfigured the knife sharpening operation to make it more user-friendly with the control options for sharpening and shear bar adjustment, able be combined, with the cycle reduced to around one minute. The improvements are said to deliver greater efficiency with further reductions in fuel consumption per tonne of throughput.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…