GERMAN machinery manufacturer Claas has introduced its latest maize cutting header, the Orbis 900, with an 8.93m overall width which folds down to just a 3m transport width.
Designed with automatically folding transport protection and integrated lighting, the frame of the Orbis 900 consists of five parts making it compact with good visibility when transported safely at speeds up to 40 km/h.
The entire folding process takes only 30 seconds and does not require the operator to get down from the cab.
At speeds between 2 and 7 km/h, a touch of a button is all that is required to start the automatic folding process. With the front attachment in working position, the transport protection remains safely out of the way in its parking position.
In order not to exceed a drive-axle load of 11.5t, an integrated transport system is available which is deployed automatically when road travel mode or oscillation damping is activated.
Attaching the 8.93m wide Orbis 900 is made easier with attachment detection and automatic drive coupling.
The flat mounting angle with two different positions and the very flat design make it possible to attain stubble heights as low as 85mm. Large discs immediately ahead of the feeder unit ensure that even large crop volumes can be handled reliably. Paddles and cob retainers always ensure that cobs that have fallen down are also transported to the feeder unit.
As before, the guide strips in the high-wear areas can be replaced easily. Instead of the standard crop-flow components, wear-resistant premium line versions can be specified as an option.
The latter comprise guide strips in steel, feeder drums with an additional coating and particularly wear-resistant knives with the proven, reliable crescent shape.
The V-shaped crop transport system is supported by two feeder cones on the impellers on each side. Feeder drums with three speed adjustment settings handle the safe, longitudinal transfer of the crop to the feeder unit.
When lodged maize is to be harvested, side covers with a hydraulically driven lodged maize auger as well as lodged maize cones for the outer transport discs, an extended centre point and point extensions are available.
The two-speed main gearbox makes it easy to adjust the speed of the cutting drums to different operating conditions, and the three-speed feeder cone gearbox allows speed adjustment to suit different chop lengths.
Claas says the new header will be available in time for the 2021 harvest season.
