The self-propelled forage harvester market is hotly contested worldwide. It’s estimated that the total global market for foragers is in the region of 3,000 units per year, with an average power output of 580hp. A Krone spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal the company is building 320 units per year. Based on this information, it means that Krone has a current share of between 10.5% and 11% of the worldwide market, with the company aiming for a 20% share. This isn’t bad seeing as it is still relatively new to the game, building its first forager in 2000.
Krone machines are imported into Ireland by Farmhand Ltd. Based in Dublin, the company sold the first Big X forager in Ireland in 2009. It is believed there are almost 90 Big X foragers working throughout the island of Ireland.
Below, we take a look at some of the features that the latest eight models of the Big X forager series bring to the market.
Header
The header and pickup reel is always a hot topic among forager owners and operators, especially in recent years with the increasing popularity of tedders and rakes and the difficulties these machines can pose such as lumpy swaths.
The Krone EasyFlow header uses a camless pickup system. Krone claims the camless pickup has 58% fewer moving parts when compared with a conventional pickup. The company also claims that a camless reel runs smoother, with less wear, and operates 30% faster than a conventional reel.
The camless pick-up reel comes with six rows of tines arranged in a W-arrangement.
The header comes in two working widths, 3m and 3.8m. All machines in Ireland are equipped with the 3m header. The pickup reel comes with six rows of tines arranged in a W-arrangement. The reasoning behind this is to provide a consistent crop flow and to catch the little bits of grass that can escape the ends of the header on the headlands.
Header features
When the machine reverses, the auger and the crop roller are automatically raised to allow for easy access to the intake system so objects detected by the metal detector can be removed. When resuming work, they automatically return to their working position.
The infinite height setting and adjustable spring relief allow the crop press roller to roll smoothly, adapting to the varying swath widths. The SynchroSpeed feature allows the header RPM to be adjusted automatically to the forward speed. It can also be manually altered from the cab. The EasyFlow header sits on a pendulum frame. This makes for easy attachment and removal and allows the header to follow the contours of the ground. Two locking pins then secure the header on to the machine.
The header is supported by two height-adjustable guide wheels and one rear cam follower roller underneath the header. The large feed auger (600mm diameter) is fitted with replaceable Hardox wear plates. These serrated plates can be set to one of two positions to provide different levels of aggressiveness.
Intake system
Unlike those made by other forager manufacturers, the Krone machines are fitted with six intake rollers over four. These rollers are used to compress the grass as it is fed in from the auger. As there are six pre-compression rollers, it means there’s a distance of 820mm between the front roller and the rear roller.
The Big X foragers are fitted with six pre-compression rollers meaning that there’s a distance of 820mm between the front roller and the rear roller.
Krone claims that this distance is required to ensure that if any metal is detected, the slip clutch will initiate before the metal hits the drum. Tension springs are used to keep pressure on these rollers.
The hydraulic drive of the intake system means that operators can choose between setting the cutting length manually or automatically. If the engine speed falls below 1,200 RPM with an increasing load, the intake and header are stopped automatically, while the chopping drum is running. This is to prevent any blockages due to slow rotational speeds.
A feature standard on many foragers nowadays is the full-width metal detection sensors. Six magnetic coils are installed in the front lower intake roller to detect metal. A rock-protect feature can also be ordered on these machines. It detects the sudden opening of the feed rollers causing them to stop immediately. The sensitivity can be adjusted to suit varying conditions.
The four smaller narrow body foragers (Big X 480-630) have a crop flow channel of 630mm, while the larger wider body models (630-1180) have a crop flow channel of 800mm.
Drum
When Krone initially began building foragers, the company’s design brief was a high-horsepower machine capable of producing a short chop length for the biogas industry, predominately in Germany. Nowadays, the company offers four different drums with variations from 20 knives up to 40 knives.
Krone offer four different drums with variations from 20 knives up to 40 knives. The vast majority of machines working in Ireland are fitted with 28 knife drums
The vast majority of machines working in Ireland are fitted with 28 knife drums (theoretical chop length 4mm to 22mm), with most working on a half set of knives for an increased chop length.
The blades on the drum are arranged at an angle of 11° relative to the counterblade. When it comes to sharpening the knives, the Big X has automatic shear bar adjustment. Only one knock sensor is necessary to adjust the shear bar. This can be set up from the cab.
The Big X machines are equipped with Krone’s VariStream system. This is essentially a spring-loaded bottom to the drum and a spring-loaded accelerator backplate. It is designed to avoid any blockages and keep the flow of material through the drum constant. The floor underneath the chopping drum is linked to the anvil of the shear bar, meaning it is adjusted automatically when the shear bar is adjusted to the blades, maintaining a consistent gap.
Engine and driveline
The narrow-body foragers (models 480-630) are powered by MTU engines, while the wider body foragers (models 680-1180) are powered by Liebherr engines.
The narrow body foragers (models; 480-630) are powered by MTU engines while the wider body foragers (models; 680-1180) are powered by Liebherr engines.
Overall, the Big X offers power output ranges from 490hp right up to a significant 1,156hp, which currently holds the title of the highest horsepower forager in the world.
Models inclusive of the 580 upwards have Krone’s power split engine management system. This system has two power curves to control the engine’s output and automatically match it to the conditions based on engine load and torque sensors. Operators can chose the Eco Power option, which is used in lighter swaths to reduce fuel usage. Alternatively, the X-Power option is used when maximum output is required.
The machine design means access to the engine for servicing is very easy. The latest engines used by Krone have a 1,000hr service interval.
The transversely mounted engine allows for direct drive of the drive pump, the cutter drum, the discharge accelerator and the pumps from the header and intake through the use of belts.
The transversely mounted engine allows for direct drive of the drive pump, the cutter drum, the discharge accelerator and the pumps from the header and intake through the use of belts.
All components for crop flow are activated through belt coupling.
Running gear
The Big X foragers are driven hydrostatically using Bosch-Rexroth wheel motors. This drive concept frees up space to fit a larger-diameter chopping drum in the machines and offers additional ground clearance.
The Big X foragers are driven hydrostatically using Bosch-Rexroth wheel motors.
The foragers come as standard with front-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive being an optional extra. For front-wheel drive, the wheel motors of the rear axle are replaced by wheel hubs. The wheel motors have a maximum speed of 40km/h. The spring-mounted independent wheel suspension system allows for a large turning radius.
Cab
The Big X range of foragers share the same SilentSpace cab as the Big M self-propelled mower. This cab is wider and quieter than the previous cab, with additional glassware, meaning more visibility.
The Big X range of foragers share the same cab as the Big M self-propelled mower.
It has also been fitted with a double floor to help reduce noise levels. It is fitted with 16 headlights, with LED lights available as an option. The cab encompasses a large 10in operating terminal. This records all major machine data and displays them on the colour screen.
The multi-function joystick has more than 20 functions programmed to it, including driving speed, direction of travel and the header and spout controls.
The self-propelled forage harvester market is hotly contested worldwide. It’s estimated that the total global market for foragers is in the region of 3,000 units per year, with an average power output of 580hp. A Krone spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal the company is building 320 units per year. Based on this information, it means that Krone has a current share of between 10.5% and 11% of the worldwide market, with the company aiming for a 20% share. This isn’t bad seeing as it is still relatively new to the game, building its first forager in 2000.
Krone machines are imported into Ireland by Farmhand Ltd. Based in Dublin, the company sold the first Big X forager in Ireland in 2009. It is believed there are almost 90 Big X foragers working throughout the island of Ireland.
Below, we take a look at some of the features that the latest eight models of the Big X forager series bring to the market.
Header
The header and pickup reel is always a hot topic among forager owners and operators, especially in recent years with the increasing popularity of tedders and rakes and the difficulties these machines can pose such as lumpy swaths.
The Krone EasyFlow header uses a camless pickup system. Krone claims the camless pickup has 58% fewer moving parts when compared with a conventional pickup. The company also claims that a camless reel runs smoother, with less wear, and operates 30% faster than a conventional reel.
The camless pick-up reel comes with six rows of tines arranged in a W-arrangement.
The header comes in two working widths, 3m and 3.8m. All machines in Ireland are equipped with the 3m header. The pickup reel comes with six rows of tines arranged in a W-arrangement. The reasoning behind this is to provide a consistent crop flow and to catch the little bits of grass that can escape the ends of the header on the headlands.
Header features
When the machine reverses, the auger and the crop roller are automatically raised to allow for easy access to the intake system so objects detected by the metal detector can be removed. When resuming work, they automatically return to their working position.
The infinite height setting and adjustable spring relief allow the crop press roller to roll smoothly, adapting to the varying swath widths. The SynchroSpeed feature allows the header RPM to be adjusted automatically to the forward speed. It can also be manually altered from the cab. The EasyFlow header sits on a pendulum frame. This makes for easy attachment and removal and allows the header to follow the contours of the ground. Two locking pins then secure the header on to the machine.
The header is supported by two height-adjustable guide wheels and one rear cam follower roller underneath the header. The large feed auger (600mm diameter) is fitted with replaceable Hardox wear plates. These serrated plates can be set to one of two positions to provide different levels of aggressiveness.
Intake system
Unlike those made by other forager manufacturers, the Krone machines are fitted with six intake rollers over four. These rollers are used to compress the grass as it is fed in from the auger. As there are six pre-compression rollers, it means there’s a distance of 820mm between the front roller and the rear roller.
The Big X foragers are fitted with six pre-compression rollers meaning that there’s a distance of 820mm between the front roller and the rear roller.
Krone claims that this distance is required to ensure that if any metal is detected, the slip clutch will initiate before the metal hits the drum. Tension springs are used to keep pressure on these rollers.
The hydraulic drive of the intake system means that operators can choose between setting the cutting length manually or automatically. If the engine speed falls below 1,200 RPM with an increasing load, the intake and header are stopped automatically, while the chopping drum is running. This is to prevent any blockages due to slow rotational speeds.
A feature standard on many foragers nowadays is the full-width metal detection sensors. Six magnetic coils are installed in the front lower intake roller to detect metal. A rock-protect feature can also be ordered on these machines. It detects the sudden opening of the feed rollers causing them to stop immediately. The sensitivity can be adjusted to suit varying conditions.
The four smaller narrow body foragers (Big X 480-630) have a crop flow channel of 630mm, while the larger wider body models (630-1180) have a crop flow channel of 800mm.
Drum
When Krone initially began building foragers, the company’s design brief was a high-horsepower machine capable of producing a short chop length for the biogas industry, predominately in Germany. Nowadays, the company offers four different drums with variations from 20 knives up to 40 knives.
Krone offer four different drums with variations from 20 knives up to 40 knives. The vast majority of machines working in Ireland are fitted with 28 knife drums
The vast majority of machines working in Ireland are fitted with 28 knife drums (theoretical chop length 4mm to 22mm), with most working on a half set of knives for an increased chop length.
The blades on the drum are arranged at an angle of 11° relative to the counterblade. When it comes to sharpening the knives, the Big X has automatic shear bar adjustment. Only one knock sensor is necessary to adjust the shear bar. This can be set up from the cab.
The Big X machines are equipped with Krone’s VariStream system. This is essentially a spring-loaded bottom to the drum and a spring-loaded accelerator backplate. It is designed to avoid any blockages and keep the flow of material through the drum constant. The floor underneath the chopping drum is linked to the anvil of the shear bar, meaning it is adjusted automatically when the shear bar is adjusted to the blades, maintaining a consistent gap.
Engine and driveline
The narrow-body foragers (models 480-630) are powered by MTU engines, while the wider body foragers (models 680-1180) are powered by Liebherr engines.
The narrow body foragers (models; 480-630) are powered by MTU engines while the wider body foragers (models; 680-1180) are powered by Liebherr engines.
Overall, the Big X offers power output ranges from 490hp right up to a significant 1,156hp, which currently holds the title of the highest horsepower forager in the world.
Models inclusive of the 580 upwards have Krone’s power split engine management system. This system has two power curves to control the engine’s output and automatically match it to the conditions based on engine load and torque sensors. Operators can chose the Eco Power option, which is used in lighter swaths to reduce fuel usage. Alternatively, the X-Power option is used when maximum output is required.
The machine design means access to the engine for servicing is very easy. The latest engines used by Krone have a 1,000hr service interval.
The transversely mounted engine allows for direct drive of the drive pump, the cutter drum, the discharge accelerator and the pumps from the header and intake through the use of belts.
The transversely mounted engine allows for direct drive of the drive pump, the cutter drum, the discharge accelerator and the pumps from the header and intake through the use of belts.
All components for crop flow are activated through belt coupling.
Running gear
The Big X foragers are driven hydrostatically using Bosch-Rexroth wheel motors. This drive concept frees up space to fit a larger-diameter chopping drum in the machines and offers additional ground clearance.
The Big X foragers are driven hydrostatically using Bosch-Rexroth wheel motors.
The foragers come as standard with front-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive being an optional extra. For front-wheel drive, the wheel motors of the rear axle are replaced by wheel hubs. The wheel motors have a maximum speed of 40km/h. The spring-mounted independent wheel suspension system allows for a large turning radius.
Cab
The Big X range of foragers share the same SilentSpace cab as the Big M self-propelled mower. This cab is wider and quieter than the previous cab, with additional glassware, meaning more visibility.
The Big X range of foragers share the same cab as the Big M self-propelled mower.
It has also been fitted with a double floor to help reduce noise levels. It is fitted with 16 headlights, with LED lights available as an option. The cab encompasses a large 10in operating terminal. This records all major machine data and displays them on the colour screen.
The multi-function joystick has more than 20 functions programmed to it, including driving speed, direction of travel and the header and spout controls.
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