Clear cut fodder

“While issues of maintenance, performance and cost need to be considered when choosing new harvesting machinery, the provision of high-quality fodder drives livestock health, performance, and ultimately, farm profitability.”

Wheeler notes that one of the foundations of producing quality fodder is reducing contamination during harvesting operations, while pointing to a survey conducted by UK farm machinery magazine Profi that shows raking accounts for 46% soil contamination in fodder, followed by mowing at 40% and tedding with 14%.

“Producers and contractors should consider those design features that directly contribute to keeping fodder clean at every step of the harvesting process,” Luke says.

“This is where CLAAS ‘Greenline’ forage harvesting technology comes into its own. Every model incorporates a host of clever innovations that are designed for top performance, easy day-to-day operation and a long working life,” he says

The DISCO mower range includes more than 40 front, rear and side mounted mowing units from 2.45 to 3.8 metres and combinations to 10.7m. Larger models are equipped with the MAX CUT cutter-bar and ACTIVE FLOAT suspension. Pressed from a single piece of steel, the unique wave-shaped design enables the cutting discs to be placed further forwards, improving cutting quality in all conditions.

ACTIVE FLOAT uses an integrated hydraulic suspension that ensures mowers adapt perfectly to any ground contour, creating minimal ground pressure when the flotation pressure is correctly set, which reduces skid wear, dirt contamination of the forage as well as reducing fuel consumption. 

MOVE front mowers use a newly designed headstock that provides up to one metre of ‘give’ vertically and up to 30 degrees laterally, allowing the mower to work with optimal efficiency and safety in even the roughest of paddocks. Available in 3m and 3.4m models, these new configurations feature a highly manoeuvrable headstock that allows the mower to move independently from the tractor front linkage.

Tedding can also play an important role in optimising forage quality by reducing drying time and contamination. CLAAS VOLTO tedders are available in 13 trailed and mounted models from 5.5m to 13m, all models incorporating the MAX SPREAD crop flow concept and ground contour tracking.

“Compared to conventional tedding systems, MAX SPREAD causes the spreading arms to work considerably longer in the direction of travel, thereby increasing crop pick-up,” Luke says.

“The tines distribute the crop evenly right across the maximum operating width, regardless of the working speed, allowing higher travel speeds and higher performance, and thanks to the lower engine speed, reduced fuel consumption.”

Providing the last part of the system, CLAAS LINER swathers are available in 20 different trailed and mounted models, with single, twin or quad-rotors that achieve operating widths from 3.5m to 15m.