LEAVING GRAIN in the paddock means you are leaving behind profit.
A new draper front from global harvesting manufacturer Claas aims to ensure minimal grain loss and maximum profit.
Launched at Commonwealth Bank AgQuip, the new Convio draper fronts are designed to fit the Lexicon range of headers.
Claas Harvest Centre, product manager, Jonathon Ham, said the Convio fronts were available in either rigid or flexible models, and in working widths of 13.8, 12.3 and 10.8 metres.
“Convio will have immediate appeal for use in cereals and canola, while Convio Flex is ideal for crops that are harvested closer to the ground, such as pulses,” he said,
“Both fronts ensure smooth, reliable flow of cut material with minimal grain loss, even in lighter conditions or direct-cut canola.”
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Mr Ham said the Convio Flex featured a flexible knife bar, table and side belts that enable the cutterbar to flex up to 90 mm upwards and 135 mm downwards.
“The operator can switch from rigid to flexible mode at the touch of a button to deal with patches of lodged cereals or to harvest low-standing crops, such as pulses,” he said.
“In flex mode, the cutterbar precisely follow ground contours to enable the crop to be harvested as close to the ground as possible.”
Mr Ham said optional attachments for both models include left and right-mounted feed augers and canola knives and both featured automatic belt speed adjustment, cutterbar height control and reel torque control.
“The automatic belt speed function matches the belt speed to the ground speed of the harvester, while the automatic cutterbar height control ensures optimum crop flow,” he said.
“The cutterbar has an adjustable cam track that ensures optimal crop flow under all conditions.
“The automatic torque control on the reel prevents the tines from digging into the ground and its innovative ‘flip-over’ design effectively prevents the crop from wrapping around the reel.
“In difficult conditions, such as lodged crops, the reel lifts the crop before it is cut, reducing losses.”
Mr Ham said the reel, centre belt, side belt and feeder housing can all be reversed, allowing blockages to be eliminated on-the-move and without leaving the cabin.
“A belt slippage and stoppage warning allows the driver to intervene at an early stage, even at night or when dust levels are high, to prevent critical situations from developing,” he said.