New Feed Drum and Face Plate Design Improve Crop Handling
CLAAS is celebrating 50 years of its Jaguar forage harvesters with some new innovations.
One of those innovations is its new Earlage Adapter, a game-changer for forage harvesters, designed to improve efficiency and streamline operations.
Alan Osterhaus, territory specialist with CLAAS, met with Farms.com to discuss the new adapter's features, starting with the feed drum.
Unlike other models in the market, the Earlage Adapter’s feed drum spans the full width of the feed channel and is larger in diameter. Its shorter distance from the front to the back edge positions the header closer to the feed rolls, enabling faster and cleaner crop feeding into the machine.
Another critical innovation is the adapter's face plate, which can rotate side to side and contour to uneven ground. This unique feature enhances performance and adaptability in various field conditions.
The adapter also boasts a multi-link coupler that directly connects the forage harvester controls to the combine head. By eliminating the need for extra wires or hoses, the setup becomes simpler and more efficient.
Operators benefit from advanced functionalities like lateral contouring, steering via autopilot wands, and in-cab deck plate adjustments. These features ensure precision and ease during operation.
At the rear, a set of pins allows quick and secure attachment of the header, simplifying transport and setup. The latching system, accessible from the left-hand side of the machine, eliminates the need to crawl around in the dirt, enhancing user convenience.
The feed drum further adds to the adapter’s capability by rotating up and down, allowing smooth handling of crops. Its design ensures that ears of corn are gently guided into the feeder cabinet, increasing capacity and minimizing crop damage.
Watch the video below for a demo of these new features!
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