Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
The Jaguar range comprises 10 models in the maker's 900 and 800 series, making it the widest range of forage harvesters worldwide. They boast a lot of 'smart' technology – optional Dynamic Power, Cruise Pilot, Claas Auto Fill and automatic tyre pressure control. Luke Wheeler, Jaguar product manager, comments "intelligent management of harvesting operations is just as important as the efficiency of the engine itself.
"Dynamic Power lets the operator choose from three operating strategies – maximum power, high power or normal power. The system then automatically adjusts the engine's power curve to meet the power demand and engine speed and can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10.6%."
In the wide-open throttle range, the system achieves maximum efficiency between 1800 and 1900 rpm, whereas by contrast in the partial-load range, the engine can be set to run as low as 1690rpm as well as automatically increasing the engine's power curve in 10 increments to best suit the prevailing conditions. A further new function allows the machine to drive into the crop at maximum engine power before the system automatically matches the engine's power curve to the most efficient setting.
The Cruise Pilot function automatically maintains the desired vehicle speed, engine speed or throughput to maximise efficiency, working to preset values such as target speed, engine speed or throughput chosen by the operator.
A new feature is the automatic chop length control function, which automatically adjusts the chopping length according to moisture content.
Other options for the new season include the addition of the Cmotion multifunction lever, integrated in the right armrest and providing fingertip control of up to 13 key functions; this will be familiar to operators of Lexion harvesters equipped with the CEBIS operating system
Automatically Fill automatically regulates the loading of forage harvesting transport vehicles by using 3D digital image analysis to regulate the longitudinal and transverse position of the discharge spout to ensure optimum filling, day and night
In the cabin, improvements include an optional leather driving seat with integrated heating and cooling functions, optional LED lighting systems and a keyed lock system for the cab door, ignition and fuel tank.
The five models in the 900 series can be fitted with the optional automatic tyre pressure control, now extended to both the drive and steering axles.
This is said to improve ride comfort and traction in the field, and improve stability and fuel efficiency on the road; in operation the control line checks the air pressure every 30 minutes, while the inflation/deflation line automatically adjusts the pressure depending on the position of the road travel switch.
The new Direct Disc 600/500 fronts incorporate the maker's new Max Cut cutterbars, said to produce a very clean stubble; and a much larger diameter intake auger makes them particularly suitable for harvesting crops up to 4m tall.
