Massey Ferguson: ParaLevel combines take the slopes out of harvesting

Massey Ferguson has introduced a completely new concept in combine automatic levelling on its new MF 7360 and MF 7370 Beta ParaLevel models. The robust, straightforward system uses a parallel-linkage system that allows the fitting of wide tyres while maintaining the important 3.5m width for road transport.
These combines also feature new engines with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) as well as new Canbus electronic control and operating terminal and will take over from the existing Beta AutoLevel machines later this year.
“The new ParaLevel system on these MF Beta combines is an exciting and unique development,” Agco’s Adam Sherriff said. “It’s staggering how much of our cropped land requires a levelling system to get the best from a combine.
“The ParaLevel harvesters not only improve safety, but also enable the operator to really enhance performance by reducing losses and improving the sample quality from these areas, compared with those who have to make compromises when operating on sloping terrain operation.”
The new ParaLevel automatic levelling system is standard on the new five straw walker, MF7360 Beta PL and six straw walker MF7370 Beta PL. Both combines retain the the proven features that have helped the Beta range to establish itself an enviable reputation of reliability and harvesting efficiency.
The renowned PowerFlow, with its moving belts, or Freeflow headers provide an even crop feed to the Power Feed Roller, which ensures the intake feeds across the entire cylinder width. The Hi-Inertia cylinder is proven to be the most versatile threshing mechanism for all crops and conditions and works against a concave, which has independent clearance adjustment at the front and rear to obtain maximum threshing performance.
A rotary separator, with adjustable concave and speed setting, further optimises separation with a gentle action on the straw and grain. The 4.3m long straw walkers have four steep steps and 210mm high active walls – punched grids – to increase the open area. Excellent cleaning from the large grain pan and optimised air flow results in a superb sample in the 8,200-litre capacity grain tank. This is now fitted with electrically opening lids.
The innovative Massey Ferguson ParaLevel system provides automatic levelling across slopes of up to 20 per cent, using a completely new parallelogram linkage. The compact and clever system connects the front wheel hubs to the chassis via a lower triangular-shaped bracket and a link arm above – forming a parallelogram shaped linkage.
The neat design means there is no need for cumbersome assemblies to turn the entire final drive units – it moves only the hubs. This offers the distinct advantage of allowing the combines to be equipped with wide tyres and still remain within the permitted transport width limit of 3.5m with 800/65 R32 tyres on the MF7360 ParaLevel. Also, as the combine rises, stability increases because the parallelogram linkage has the effect of slightly widening the track width.
A solid state, electronic pendulum, ensures a fast, smooth and precise levelling response to changing terrain. The system has two operating modes: in Transport the combine lowers and narrows the track width and is capable of a top road speed of 25km/hr, while in Working mode the system raises and lowers automatically – with a wider track and top speed is restricted to 18km/hr.
The new MF ParaLevel combines are equipped with Agco Sisu Power’s advanced Citius engines featuring the SCR exhaust after treatment as proven in Massey Ferguson’s MF8600 Series tractors and MF9280 Delta Hybrid combine. The advanced, four valve/cylinder and common rail Citius 7.4-litre, six-cylinder generates 275hp in the MF7360 Beta PL, while the larger MF7370 Beta PL has an 8.4 litre version that develops 365hp, including a 30hp boost for unloading. Economy is further enhanced by tuning the engines to achieve the top roads speed of 25km/hr at 1,900rpm and 20km/hr at just 1,560rpm.
Both models also benefit from a new hydrostatic pump, with a third more capacity. This generates higher torque and hydrostatic power that, along with the four-wheel drive rear axle, helps the combines to climb the steepest slopes, increasing harvesting efficiency.
Both new Beta ParaLevel combines now have electronic control via an advanced Canbus network. With this comes a new C2000 touch-screen terminal with soft keys and scroll wheel to select functions and scroll through pages. This is mounted conveniently on the end of the operator’s armrest and not only monitors all the main combine functions, but also provides automatic machine setting for 15 different crops.
Now all the operator needs to do is select the crop on the screen and the system automatically places the key components such as the threshing cylinder speed, concave setting and fan speed to default positions. Operators can fine tune these adjustments and save three different customised settings for each crop. Reel speed is now adjusted automatically in relation to forward speed, which can also be adjusted through the C2000 terminal.
The new system also improves service and support with three diagnostic procedure levels. The first level allows customers to check their own machines, while the second provides higher level access for dealer staff. With the top, third level, Agco engineers can carry out a full check of the entire electronic system.

MF7300 Beta ParaLevel combine harvesters:

 For more information visit: www.masseyferguson.co.uk.