The three widest Vario cutterbars offered by Claas have been equipped with a host of new features. The range currently runs from 5m up to 13.8m, with the Vario 1080, 1230 and 1380 undergoing updates.
2022 models will be available with new oilseed rape knives, featuring mechanical drives with an integrated overload clutch and 50% greater cutting force, according to the company. Toolless fitment is also possible thanks to the new plug-in system with quick-release couplers and the weight of the knives has been reduced by 33% to make handling them easier.
In addition to this, a new clamping system makes fitting and removing the grain threshing dividers easier and these dividers are available in three lengths.
Using the Cebis terminal, the height of the intake auger can now be hydraulically adjusted, allowing the operator to react quickly to changing harvesting conditions. Adjustment is infinitely variable within a range of 25mm upwards and 10mm downwards. When outside the machine, height adjustment directly on the cutterbar also features control of the work lights, as well as a rotary switch to move the auger into the transport position. A second rotary dial can adjust the auger height, with any changes being automatically synchronised with the Cebis system.
Access to the stripper bars has also been improved and can now be reached and adjusted from the rear of the cutterbar.
There is also a new driveline to the reel, which delivers torque directly from the hydraulic motor. One added benefit is that the system is narrower when compared to a chain drive and it is now possible to use the full 700mm adjustment range of the Vario table, even when rapeseed knives are attached. Furthermore, maintenance intervals for the drive have been extended from 100 hours to 500 hours.
Brought over from the Convio and Convio Flex cutterbars, pressure-dependent reel height adjustment has been integrated. A sensor measures the hydraulic pressure in the reel drive and if large crop volumes cause this to increase and impact reel speed, the reel is automatically lifted to a certain height to reach the desired speed again. When the pressure drops, the system lowers the reel again to the set height.
The drive torque required to trigger this, and the response can be set separately in the Cebis terminal.
For more information go to www.claas.co.uk