Claas has added a new higher-power 800 Series self-propelled silage harvester to its range, with the arrival of the 626hp Claas Jaguar 880. This harvester will only be available in the UK, Ireland and the US, according to Claas.

The 880 fills a power gap in the harvester range, giving contractors the choice of two 626hp models, the new Jaguar 880 or the higher specification Jaguar 960 from the 900 Series models. Claas believes this new machine can be the replacement for those running older 623hp Jaguar 900 harvesters.

Claas claims the straight crop flow through the forager progressively increases the crop speed from about 4.8 metres/second as it enters the forager, to 68 metres/second as it leaves the blower/accelerator. It claims this feature ensures minimal power requirement.

This new Jaguar 880 is powered by a straight six-cylinder Mercedes Tier 4F compliant engine; the same engine as used on the Jaguar 960. This engine comes with the option of the Dynamic Power system, which is designed to automatically alter engine power relative to load. Drive to the front axle is through a 40km/h, two-speed hydrostatic transmission.

The new Jaguar 880 comes with the latest colour Cebis control terminal, with function screens accessed using either the main rotary switch or the Hot Key which provides direct access to pre-selected functions.

Using Cebis control system, Claas claims that the operator is able to set a reminder as to when the knives need sharpening or the shearbar adjusting after a set operating time has elapsed. And on harvesters fitted with Quantimeter, a reminder can also be set after a set yield quantity of grass or maize has been harvested.

In addition to Opti Fill, which enables the spout to swivel over a range of 225 degrees with automatic return to the transport position, there is the option of Auto Fill, which uses a 3D camera that determines the trailer body dimensions and fill depth to automatically control the spout.

The Jaguar 880 can also be fitted with the Claas GPS pilot automatic steering system and for data recording the Cebis system can store up to 20 job records. Using Claas Telematics, a far wider range of machine setting and operating data can be recorded and stored online, and viewed using any web-enabled device. This feature allows the harvester to be remotely monitored, for daily productivity to be analysed and for overall seasonal performance data to be assessed.

This new Jaguar 880 is fitted with a continuous high pressure, 210-bar hydraulic system using large diameter hydraulic lines, which Claas claims provide increased capacity and rapid hydraulic reaction times.

The quick-attachment coupler allows the Jaguar 880 to use higher throughput header units from the Jaguar 900 range, including the Claas 300 grass pickup.

The machine is available with the option of the Stop Rock detection system. The crop is chopped with the V-Classic 20-blade chopping cylinder, rather than the curved blade system on the Jaguar 900 Series models.

Claas claims that the V blade chopper gives a range of six chop lengths from 5mm to 21mm with the standard 20 blade chopping cylinder. For further crop processing, the Jaguar 880 has the Multi Crop L 250mm maize cracker fitted as standard.

The standard specification includes a 1,000 litre diesel tank and 130 litre Ad Blue tank, with the option of an additional 300 litre diesel tank.