Challenger and Gleaner
Agco has a new Class VIII combine under its Challenger and Gleaner banners. The Challenger 680B and the Gleaner A85 came to market late this summer.
The high capacity combines feature a large 61 cubic foot rotor, measuring 31.5 inches in diameter and 140 inches long with nine quick-change concave modules. It has 13 inch transverse cleaning fans and a 350 bushel grain tank with an unload rate of 4.5 bu. per second. It uses only 11 belts and three drive chains.
“The system performs four major functions: intake; threshing; separation and discharge without the extra augers, drives, gears and discharge rotors found on other machines,” Agco said.
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“Powered by a dedicated hydrostatic drive system and an electronic control system that regulates oil flow, it maintains a selected rotor speed regardless of changes in the engine speed or field conditions.
“A three-speed gearbox allows the operator to select the ultimate torque and speed range up to 1,040 rpm. Should a plug occur, the operator can also reverse the rotor without leaving the cab, using full hydrostatic power.
“With five different header styles and multiple cutting widths and row widths, crop producers can choose from 22 different headers to match their crops and fields.
“Options include eight different corn headers, two pick-up headers with either a Swathmaster or rake-type attachment, three draper headers, three rigid headers and a selection of four flex headers.”
Power to drive all this equipment comes from a Caterpillar C13 engine displacing 12.5 litres with 425 horsepower. Power boost is 459 hp at 1,900 rpm. The Tier III compliant engine is controlled by Caterpillar’s ADEM 4 electronic package.
The GTA Console II system is standard on all of the new combines. It features CAN Bus electronics and a microprocessor-based monitor, offering system diagnostics, interlock and flex logging of combine functions.
It includes Fieldstar II and the appropriate software, allowing the operator to log the basic working data generated by the GTA Console II. Additional software options allow for record keeping and yield mapping.
It also adjusts vital harvest components on the go, including rotor speed, sieves, concaves or fan speed. The screen makes it easy for the operator to add field observations while collecting data from combine sensors. Data is geo-referenced by field and farm on secure digital cards for later downloading to a personal computer.
Case IH: new Axial-Flow
Case IH is introducing new combines and high performance headers at farm shows this fall. Three new models include the Axial-Flow 7010, Axial-Flow 2588 and Axial-Flow 2577. As well, the Axial-Flow 8010 has been reconfigured for improved productivity.
The 7010 completes the Axial-Flow family with a Class VII unit that has more horsepower and a higher threshing capacity than its predecessor, the Axial-Flow 2388.
The 7010 features a 350 hp engine rated at 2,100 rpm. It is equipped with operator selectable rise-boost modes for unloading, ranging from 25 hp rise plus 15 hp boost to 40 hp steep rise peak. The result is up to 25 percent greater throughput capacity compared to previous designs.
The 7010’s 315 bu. grain tank with 24 inch extensions provides added capacity for efficient operation. Unload speed is improved, with longer upload tubes equipped with an end discharge spout and anti-dribble device.
The average unload speed is 3.2 bu. per second, measured by current ISO standards. Grain cleaning takes place with a 52 inch cleaning system and 8,370 sq. inch area.
Other new features include stripper plates on the 7010’s feeder top shaft to prevent materials from wrapping around the shaft and sprockets in damp crop conditions.
A dual drive tire option has been added for customers requiring more flotation in duals. The Case IH AFS 200 display is standard on the 7010.
Two new 2500 Series combines are based on the Axial-Flow design.
The Class VI Axial-Flow 2588 is for medium to large operations, rated at 305 base hp with a 20 hp power rise to a maximum of 325 hp. It has a 290 bu. grain tank.
For small to medium operations, the Class V Axial-Flow 2577 is rated at 265 hp with a 25 hp power rise to a maximum of 290 hp. Grain storage capacity is 230 bushels.
Both 2500 Series combines use the 8.3 litre, six cylinder Case IH engines with full authority fuel control. The Axial-Flow rotor is standard on both models, along with the AFS yield and moisture system. A reverse safety alarm is standard equipment. Unload rates average 2.4 bu. per second.
The highest capacity Case IH combine – the Axial-Flow 8010 – has been upgraded with many of the advanced features of the 7010. The 2007 model has a 350 bu. grain tank capacity.
Claas Lexion Jet Stream
Claas Lexion has taken much of the technology from its large Class 8 and 9 combines and made it available on its smaller Class 6 and 7 combines.
The Lexion Jet Stream cleaning system is now available in the 560R, 570R and 575R. It consists of a larger cascade pre-cleaner, higher wind pressure and increased sieve area for additional cleaning capacity.
These three models are now powered by Caterpillar C-9 diesel engines. Along with added horsepower, the new C-9 is compliant with the newest Tier 3 EPA emission standards.
The 570R and 575R models come equipped with a standard 300 bu. grain tank and a 330 bu. option. Model 560R is equipped with a 280 bu. grain tank.
MaxFlex F535 is the new Lexion 35-foot rigid and flex platform header. The MaxFlex system provides seven inches of vertical flex, allowing the flexible cutter bar system to harvest close to the ground in all terrains.
With the new 35 foot option, Claas now provides growers with both rigid and flex combine headers that are 25, 30, 35 and 40 feet wide. The 35 and 40 foot flex headers include MaxFlex technology, dual knife drive for greater cutting performance and a split knife, auger and reel design for additional strength.
MaxFlex technology was recently recognized with a national engineering innovation award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
All of Claas’s flex heads can be equipped with auto contour that enables the header to automatically follow terrain changes.
Lexion also has a new corn chopper head that places chopping blades at the front end of the machine as well as at the back.
“Growers can chop and shatter stalks at the same time they harvest the corn, saving an extra pass across the field later,” the company said.
“The row units on the chopping corn head are fitted with rotating blades that are driven from the row unit gearbox. The blades chop and shatter the stalks while gently picking the corn ears.”
Lexion said the chopping head not only saves time, fuel, labour and equipment costs, but also allows stalks to decompose better over the winter and provide a smoother planting bed in the spring, which is especially important for no-till farmers.
Lexion said it expects substantial demand for the chopping head as growers look for better residue control and fewer passes across the field.
