New features on CLAAS Jaguar

Jaguar forage harvesters embody over 50 years of experience with over 46,000 machines now sold worldwide. In order to keep innovating the Jaguar, CLAAS has developed a range of market-ready innovations for the Jaguar 900 series to make forage harvesting even more efficient, cost-effective and convenient.

Available as an optional alternative to the V-MAX chopping cylinder, the new V-FLEX offers versatility when it comes to knife configuration. Together with the new V-FLEX knives, it enables smooth running and knife service life. In addition, it provides high throughputs and further enhanced chopping quality.

Next to existing V-CLASSIC (Jaguar 800) and V-MAX (Jaguar 900/900 Terra Trac) chopping cylinders, the V-FLEX optional cylinder is now available for the Jaguar 900/900 Terra Trac series. The new design with optimised V-angle and the new V-FLEX knives enable this chopping cylinder to achieve higher throughputs while at the same time reducing the noise level and ensuring smoother running. Crop flow is noticeably more consistent, especially for chop lengths over 12 mm. High knife stability and the triple bolted connection also means that the distance between the cylinder and the shear bar can be reduced to achieve even better chopping quality. All these improvements also deliver greater efficiency.

The new V-FLEX chopping cylinder offers versatility for all applications and chop lengths with a full and half set of knives as well as half-knives

The V-FLEX chopping cylinder is available in four versions with 20, 24, 28 and 36 knives and can be configured with a full set of knives, or half or one third the number of knives to extend the length of cut, or with a half knife set. With the V-FLEX 36, for example, this enables a flexible configuration with 36 knives in full-knife mode, 12 knives in the one-third-knife mode, 18 knives in the half-knife mode or with the new variant with 36 half-knives to double the length of cut for optimum crop flow and chopping quality. The V-FLEX 20, 24, 28 and 36 therefore provide a universal length-of-cut range from 3.5 to a maximum 53 mm. All chopping cylinders can be used for harvesting maize in combination with the MCC Classic and MCC Max as well as the MCC Shreadlage corncrackers.

The newly developed and patented knives on the V-FLEX chopping cylinder are angled at 10 degrees to the shear bar for precision and agility. The extended 23 mm thick anti-wear coating makes the knives robust and wear-resistant in all conventional chopped forage crops. This significantly extends the service life of the knives based on throughput. Thanks to the features of the V-FLEX knives, customers can spend more time forage harvesting as they don’t need to resharpen the knives as often. Reduced setup times, longer knife service life and reduced fuel consumption improve the performance and efficiency of the Jaguar.  

Riveted accelerator paddles ensure uniform crop intake. Available for grass and maize, the V-FLEX knives are fastened to the wear-resistant base with three bolts and corresponding clamps (half knives: two bolts and clamps per knife). The predefined position of the knives on the chopping cylinder makes for fast knife changes as there is no need to align the knives with the shear bar.

In addition to the control options ‘knife sharpening’ and ‘individual shear bar adjustment’, operators can now select one that is even more convenient: knife sharpening and shear bar adjustment combined can be completed in just one minute for pre-determined sharpening cycles through CEBIS. The sensor-based shear bar adjustment has also been optimised. A status display showing the process time, status description and visualised process is now available in CEBIS for all sequences. This enables operators to better estimate downtimes and make optimal use of waiting times. As before, the sharpening interval can be pre-programmed according to time or throughput based on the Quantimeter throughput readings.

For years the Multi Crop Cracker concept (MCC) comprising the MCC Classic, – Max and – Shredlage has offered a wide choice of corncracker options for efficient processing of kernels, leaves and stalks from short cut to long cut and Shredlage. For more intensive kernel processing, the differential speed has now been increased from 30 to 40 per cent in the MCC Classic with sawtooth profile and the MCC Max with ring segments with cutting and shearing effect. Furthermore, the MCC Classic is optionally available with a 190-sawtooth profile for particularly small kernels such as sorghum.

The maintenance compartment now offers more space for fitting and removing the corncracker, making it easier to change the rollers. Less downtime during campaigns means more time for harvesting.

The MCC Classic and MCC Max now work with a speed difference of up to 40 percent, and the MCC Classic is also available with fine gearing. Thanks to the larger maintenance space, installation and removal of the corncracker module is quicker.

The CSPS value (Corn Silage Processing Score) is an important indicator of kernel processor performance. Previously, this could only be determined in the laboratory. CLAAS now offers a solution in the form of an app in CLAAS connect which calculates the CSPS in a matter of minutes in the field while harvesting is underway.

To calculate the scores, a liter sample of chopped material is collected and divided into a minimum of five individual samples on a blue plastic A4-sized tray that comes with the test kit. The samples are then photographed with a smartphone and transferred to a server for analysis. The results are sent back to the smartphone a few minutes later " enabling the settings to be adjusted on the corncracker while harvesting is underway. This makes it possible to consistently maintain the desired or required processing quality, and is especially useful for contractors having to meet customer requirements.