A unique automatic knife sharpener called ‘Speed-Sharp’ used on Krone’s ZX forage wagons is now available for 2015. The whole sharpening process only takes four minutes and is safe for the operator.
Speed-Sharp is a rotor, equipped with 23 fanned grinding discs that are mounted to the knife bank ensuring precision grinding. Once sharpening is completed the operator can manually check for any blunt or damaged knives and remove them safely.
Sharpening takes place in cycles, which are pre set by the operator. User experience shows that three cycles is generally enough. Grinding in cycles prevents the knife points from annealing. Sharpening stops automatically when the cycle is complete and the operator folds the knife bank back into the working position.
What makes the system so unique is not only the speed at which it works but also the fact that it is so safe. The knife bed is swung out from the machine before grinding starts, which minimises the risk of crop residue trapped under the machine catching fire.
As the system is so easy to use and because it works so fast, operators find it easy to sharpen the knives more often than they have in the past, a factor that enhances the quality of cut and forage as well as reducing wear and power input.
