The new compact class C6000 Series combine from Deuz-Fahr

Having purchased the combine harvester factory in Zupanja, Croatia, in 2005, Deutz-Fahr has invested heavily in the modernisation of the facility.

Over the last 10 years, €2.5m has been invested annually. Riccardo Valnegri, CEO of Same Deutz Fahr (SDF) Zetelice, explained that combine harvesters are part of the DNA in the group, and this is why a strategic decision was made to build combines again in Croatia.

The factory produces about 400 combines every year, with approximately 400 staff working there. It has the capacity to produce 1,000 combines per year and this is the goal set by SDF. To make one combine, it takes 1,000 hours of work at the factory.

Essentially, every staff member makes one combine per year. There are no robotic welders here as the labour is of good quality and supply.

Seventy per cent of the components, including the cab, are made at the factory. All research and development is based at the combine plant in Croatia.

The market for Deutz-Fahr is predominantly western Europe, with strong loyalty to the brand in Germany, where it has 10% of the market share. The fruits of the development at Deutz-Fahr are now being realised as the company has launched three new combines in the last three years: the C9000 series combine in 2013, the C7000 series in 2014 and the C6000 series this year.

C6000 series combine

This combine is set to replace the 6040 HTS series of Deutz combines. The new C6000 will comprise two models, the C6205 and the C6205 TS. Both will be powered by the Deutz TCD L6 T4F 6.1L engines, delivering a rated power of 230hp (169kW) and a maximum power of 250hp (184kW).

The combine has received a modern facelift with new side panels and the biggest change is the addition of the Evo 2 Commander Cab.

The cab provides more room, comfort and technology for the operator than the cab on the 6040 model.

The new cab features more electronic controls for engaging the threshing drive and other functions.

The new commander joystick allows all functions of the combine harvester to be activated at the push of a button.

The second seat and the 21-litre portable thermo-fridge (optional) are new. The cab is wider, featuring curved front window glass and a new ventilation system. The new cab gives it the same styling as the bigger models from Deutz-Fahr, adding to the family look of the combines.

The controls for the transmission and main equipment functions are built into the new joystick.

The combine control management (CCM) system allows the operator to check the quality of work at any time, displaying information about the combine’s activity on the screen.

The basic concept of the machine is that it has five straw walkers, just like the 6040 HTS, (with optional turbo separator) and a cleaning system featuring the unique Deutz-Fahr double grain return (DGR) system. This takes the returns to both sides of the grain preparation area (grain pan) at the rear of the combine. Deutz-Fahr claims that this system does not overload the threshing drum, giving better performance.

The Deutz-Fahr double return system sends grain back to the grain pan and sieves.

The optional turbo separator is located behind the rear beater to give further threshing of the crop before it reaches the walkers. This, according to Deutz-Fahr, will increase the machine’s throughput by about 20%.

With a diameter of 600mm, the threshing drum comprises eight rasp bars bolted to five supports.

The concave of the C6205 has a broad winding angle of 121° to give more of the separating surface, according to Deutz-Fahr. The monolithic concave version is available in three wire spacing variants – 11m, 14m and 16m – to suit different crops.

Both the front and rear opening on the concave can be adjusted.

The front and the back of the concave on this model can be loosened or tightened manually from the combine platform. Maximum cleaning with minimum effort is the message by Deutz-Fahr. The long, closed straw walkers of the C6205 allow separation in any conditions, including damp material and heavily weed-infested crops, according to Deutz-Fahr. The preparation pan and pre-sieve are at the centre of a two-stage process to increase the cleaning performance of both sieve layers. Cleaning is boosted by a ventilation system with a cross-flow turbine.

The C6205 has a turbine fan fitted as standard, which blows air across the entire width of the combine harvester. The turbine has a diameter of 400mm and a total of 44 blades along the length of the rotor.

The grain tank has a capacity of 7,000 litres and is described as best in its class by Deutz-Fahr. The unloading output is 75l per second.

Standard headers are available in the following widths: 4.20m, 4.80m, 5.40m and 6.30m. Each version is built with planetary transmission to give a cutting frequency of about 1,220rpm.

The cutting system incorporates the patented tandem Schumacher Easy Cut II system.

A cutting header extension with two vertical side knives can be installed on the cutting bar to harvest rapeseed. For more accurate cutting, an automatic control function compensates the lateral flotation of the cutting bar to enhance precision, especially for wider cutting widths. The new optional VARICROP variable header is available with a working width of 4.50m, 5.50m or 6.5m and allows farmers to adapt the cutting length to meet crop demands.

There is no official price list for the machines yet, but the C6205 without the TS drum is expected to be around €177,000, while the higher spec with the TS separation is likely to be €183,000. A competitive finance package is also expected with the launch of the new machines.

Watch the C2605 undergo final tests at the factory below: