Krone is celebrating 30 years of its BiG M production, with the machine continuing to be the only self-propelled mower conditioner in its class that is mass produced. But how did its development come about?

Roll the clock back to the early 1990s, when Krone made the decision to exit the tillage and manure spreader sector, deciding to solely focus on the production of grass equipment.

According to Bernard Krone, the firm wanted to focus on a niche sector.

It first set out manufacturing round balers, big balers and forage wagons. Shortly afterwards in 1996, the first BiG M was developed and in May 2000 the Big X self-propelled forage harvester was introduced in line with Krone’s strategy.

Wanting to hit the ground running, Krone set about offering higher-horsepower forage harvesters with larger headers than the opposition.

Quickly, Krone made itself known as a serious contender in the grass equipment market, now offering both a self-propelled mowing and self-propelled forage harvester solution to contractors across the world.

In Ireland over the years, the BiG M established a strong following among agricultural contractors, where tight weather windows and the demand for high-quality silage place huge demands on machinery. Since the BiG M’s launch, Farmhand told the Irish Farmers Journal that 330 units have been sold throughout the country.

The machinery importer said that Irish BiG M sales have, on a good year, represented up to 20% of total global BiG M sales. Considering Ireland is a small island in the grand scheme of things, Farmhand puts the BiG M’s success down to excelling in small, irregular-shaped fields in comparison to a tractor and mower combination.

Farmhand says a BiG M can get in, mow a two-acre paddock and get out in the time a triple combination is just getting going.

First viewing

On 10 May 1996, Krone introduced a prototype of its first self-propelled high-capacity mower – the 260hp BiG M.

With a working width of 9.10m and designed as a high-capacity self-propelled mower, the concept was entirely new to most of the industry at the time.

Josef Horstmann, who was in charge of project development at the time, regarded its unveiling as a memorable day, but in more ways than one.

The prototype machine was due to get a quick wash in the morning before being presented to the international press later that afternoon.

However, on its way to the garage the electrical harness caught fire. Fortunately, the blaze was extinguished and after some repairs it was able to perform at its afternoon debut that same day, with nobody any the wiser to the earlier commotion.

The press and contractors using the BiG M on trial were impressed by the machine’s performance, cutting width and 40km/h road speed.

In 1999, the BiG M found itself in the Guinness Book of Records, having cut 315ha during a 24-hour endurance test, at an average rate of 15.2 hectares per hour. This record still stands to this day.

Krone continued to develop the BiG M over the following years with new and improved models such as the BiG M II, BiG M 500, BiG M 400, 420 and 450.

Having undergone over 30 years of developments, the BiG M range remains a one-model offering, this being the BiG M 450 which was unveiled in 2017 ahead of the 2018 silage season.

As contractors continue the quest for higher-output machines to cope with the ever-challenging short window that is silage season here in Ireland, the BiG M has proven to be the solution for many.

2001

In 2001, Krone launched the BiG M II to replace the original model. It was equipped with a new drive train and a slightly wider working width of 9.7m. The new drive system adapted the engine speed to the current forward speed, helping reduce fuel consumption and the level of stress and strain on the engine and drives. These changes added to BiG M’s popularity and the 500th BiG M was sold in May 2003.

2007

At Agritechnica 2007, Krone presented a new, forward-looking design concept of BiG M to the public – the 510hp BiG M 500 with a 13.20m working width. The firm described it as a machine ahead of its time and a preview for what could be possible in the future.

However, the concept of the BiG M 500 was phased out, with full focus resuming entirely on the 9.7m BiG M II which was continuing to grow in popularity. By October 2008, the 1,000th unit rolled off the production line at Krone’s factory in Spelle, Germany.

2009

Two years later, at the following Agritechnica in Hanover, Germany, Krone took the wraps off its BiG M 400. Not only did it offer more power over the BiG M II (now producing 400hp from its Mercedes engine), but offered other updates as well, some of which included an upgraded cooling system, HeavyDuty cutterbar and SafeCut disc protection.

The BiG M 400 brought about the most noticeable update in terms of styling. Gone were the straight-edged panels and a welcome introduction to the more sleek modern design, more familiar of the BiG M as we know it today.

2011

In 2011, the fourth-generation BiG M arrived. Named the BiG M 420, machines now featured a Stage III B MAN common rail engine. Power output remained the same with 400hp on tap. However, updates were made to the cooling system.

This could be easily noticed by the larger radiator with rotary screen and exhaust system.

This new automatic cleaning system not only improved operating temperatures, but reduced the time spent cleaning.

2017

The fifth and current generation of the BiG M followed in 2017, the BiG M 450. Key features of the 450 was the new infinitely variable transmission, new cutter bar and hydraulic ground pressure control for all three mowers which can be controlled from the cab. The machine has a working width of 9.9 metres.

A new Stage V Liebherr engine brought with it an extra 49hp, leaving a total output of 450hp and longer 1,000-hour service intervals.

In 2020, Krone unveiled the BiG M 450 CR. These roller conditioner models offer steel (M-rolls) or rubber conditioner rollers instead of the more traditional steel tine conditioners.

Although not really applicable to the Irish market, the option of conditioner rollers is more suited to leafy legume crops such as alfalfa.

Based in Castletownroche near Mallow in Co Cork, Ronnie Lenihan and his three sons Gavin, Alan and Conor are well-known agricultural contractors.

Ronnie bought his first Krone BiG M in 2001, a new Mark I at the time, moving away from trailed mowers. Quickly seeing the output capacity of the machine, he fell in love with the concept.

Since 2001, Ronnie has purchased 13 new BiG Ms, including five new BiG M 450s.

“The Krone BiG M went on sale in Ireland in 2000, and we bought our first machine in 2001,” he says.

“The early BiG Ms were challenging, but they were a phenomenal step up on what was available on the market at the time to get through work.

“Krone, Farmhand, our local dealer and their team of mechanics put serious work into the machines in those early years, and each winter Krone would send over engineers to make any modifications the machines needed.

“We got to know the technicians from Krone and Farmhand very well over the years, and we found them to be excellent to take recommendations on board and actually bring the updates through to the machines final design. Over the years, we have run a prototype BiG M 420 and a 450. The 450 was a game-changer. From ease of maintenance to the updated drive system, Krone got it so right,” Ronnie said.

“Within our business, service and reliability is very important. We try and upgrade our BiG M every two seasons, but it all comes down to the deal at hand. You won’t beat a self-propelled machine that is built to do one job; and for that reason, we still feel that the BiG M is the only machine to cut large volumes of grass,” he added.