Claas Balers Turn 30
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
Developed in collaboration with Swiss feeding equipment specialist Agro-Technik Zulliger AG, the new configuration equips each auger segment with a short cutting blade, which serve to increase the cutting action during mixing, alongside helping to reduce long forage more consistently.
The development is said to address issues encountered in hay-based feeding systems, where long fibres can increase both processing time and an increased power requirement to deliver a completely homogeneous ration.
While the company has not released verified performance or energy-saving figures, Strautmann says the additional cutting action can produce more uniform chopping while shortening mixing times, reducing energy demand and lowering wear on the cutting tools.
The manufacturer points out that the Hay Edition illustrates how its expertise in feeding-equipment manufacture allows it to develop application-specific configurations for existing machines, compared to some machine builders who are forced to develop new ranges to address machine limitations.
The collaboration with Agro-Technik Zulliger, originated around the requirements of the Swiss market, where hay feeding remains important, but also delivers an equipment option for Strautmann’s broader Verti-Mix portfolio.
The relatively small engineering change is clearly more cost- effective, compared to purchasing a new mixer wagon and will offers an option to operators with similar requirements in the areas where a similar problem is encountered. The equipment option for the Verti-Mix is available now.
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