First On- Farm UK demonstration of new generation KRONE forage harvester

Krone UK Ltd demonstrated a range of its New Generation BiG X forage harvesters in maize at a well attended event on October 19th near Whitchurch in Shropshire. Several trailers, including two Krone MX 350 forage wagons, were kept busy all day transporting chopped maize to a site about five miles away.

It was the largest forage harvester demonstration so far for the company in the UK and working models included the existing BiG X 650 and the new BiG X 700 and 850 models each with EasyCollect 903 9m (12 row) new flat fold headers.

Despite almost constant rain – heavy at times – the three machines kept working all day cutting quality maize in front of about 250 farmers, contractors and associates from the local farming community, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A static BiG X 500 with 6-cylinder inline engine and 7.5m header (10 rows) was parked up for visual inspection.

The new BiG X 850 uses just one V12 MAN block and puts out 825hp. The BiG X 700, destined to be the most popular in the UK, uses a V8 MAN engine, which puts out 670hp at full power. Visitors showed particular interest in the new MAN engine – replacing Mercedes Benz – that features an innovative output management system, which allows the operator to switch between road and fieldwork, thus maximizing the efficiency of the engine for the job in hand. To achieve this MAN developed the engine with two power curves – Eco Power and X-Power – so for example on the BiG X V12 850 the Eco setting pushes out 638hp while on X-Power its an impressive 825hp.

Although the superior engine technology clearly impressed visitors at the demo, a lot of interest was also paid to the new cab design that went down well for its extra space and improved visibility for the operator.

Higher build quality and upgraded suspension has reduced noise levels, while the climate control system and a mobile cool box further enhance operator comfort.

When the rain stopped and the sun finally came out towards the end of the day the Krone team put on an impressive display involving the three Big X forage harvesters working in tandem all filling the same forage wagon, it took no time at all to fill the company's MX 350 forage wagon to capacity took all of about two minutes.

For more information please contact your local Krone dealer or call head office on 01132 878800.