Claas expands tedder range

In addition to even more user-friendly operation, improved ground contour following, and enhanced working quality, particular attention was paid during the development process to the low-maintenance, oil-filled rotor gearboxes, which have been carried over from the larger models. Tried-and-tested features such as the Max Spread crop flow concept with angled tine arms and the HD tines of equal length for layer-by-layer forage collection have been carried over from the previous models, while the CKL hydraulic power suspension is now fitted as standard on all three-point models. 

The five new tedders, with working widths ranging from 6.60m to 10.80m, share many technical features with their larger counterparts. Key new features include a new power train with hermetically sealed rotor gearboxes (similar to the Volto 1300/1500/1300TS/1500TS), a new rotor wheel mounting with a reinforced rotor shaft, and new spreading angle adjustment for spreading angles of up to 18 degrees, as well as reduced hydraulic requirements, a new hydraulic power-flow steering unit (CKL) and Kennfixx couplings for all hydraulic connections.

TECHNOLOGY

When it comes to rotor technology, the new Volto and Volto T models continue to rely on Max Spread technology – tried and tested worldwide under a wide range of conditions of use – featuring tine arms angled 29.3° behind the main axis. This geometry combines high raking performance with clean raking action to ensure an optimal spread pattern, even with heavy, wet crop. 

To ensure consistent top performance, the larger Permalink HD drive has been adopted from the larger Volto large-area tedders. In addition to maximum reliability, the development focused particularly on reducing maintenance effort and costs. The input shaft speed has increased by 50 per cent to reduce the torque on the drive shafts.

A new, compact, trapezoidal support frame keeps the centre of gravity of the three-point-mounted tedders close to the tractor. This reduces the lifting force required, allowing the tedders to be used with smaller tractors, while also providing a better view of the rotors.

On the Volto 1100 T and 1100 models with a 1000rpm PTO drive, the option is available as standard to create night swaths by operating at a reduced speed, ensuring faster drying while the crop lies overnight. For the Volto 900, 800 and 700 models, optional night swath gearboxes are available; by reducing the rotor speed by 33 per cent, the crop is distributed evenly across several smaller swaths. 

PRODUCTIVITY

The 18-to-12 method enables increased productivity in grass harvesting while saving time. When mowing with the Disco 9300 Direct Swather (with swath augers) or Auto Swather (with swath belts), the crop from two Disco units (front and rear) is deposited across two mowing widths, so that a Liner four-rotor swather can subsequently combine 18m of mowing width into a single swath in a single pass. This reduces the number of passes by 33 per cent, while 40 per cent more mass is placed into the swath, thereby making better use of the forage harvester’s capacity.

No terminal is required to operate the new tedders. Thanks to the headland position integrated into the hydraulic folding mechanism, a single double-acting tractor control unit is sufficient for operation.