For 2014, the Claas Variant 360, 365, 380 and 385 models will be available with the new 2.35m wide XXL pick-up, giving it the widest pick-up on the market for round balers. Enabling the Variant to bale wider straw and grass swathes ensures that the high-performance potential of the baler can be fully exploited.
The variable-chamber Claas Variant is ideal for baling hay, straw or silage, thanks to the freely selectable bale diameter and a higher level of compaction compared to fixed-chamber systems.
However, the pick-up has not only been made wider; it’s also been given automatic chain tensioning. This helps reduce maintenance time, so more time can be spent baling. The oil reservoir has also been enlarged from 3.0 litres to 6.3 litres and incorporates an integrated filter and continuous chain lubrication to help again reduce maintenance time.
To ensure that the chains on the Variant are always provided with sufficient oil, the quantity of oil can now be adjusted according to requirement. In addition, a central lubrication system is also optionally available on the Variant 360-385, with all lubrication points centrally supplied with oil via two central lubrication blocks.
In addition, the hydraulic performance of the balers has also been increased, so the bale discharge is now completed within just six seconds, with the result that the process of opening and closing the tailgate (without tying time) is now 30 per cent quicker than with the old models.
As an option, Variant balers can also be fitted with the moisture sensor from the Quadrant range. Integrated into the left-hand side of the tailgate, the crop moisture content is displayed on the Claas Communicator 2 terminal that’s used to operate and monitor the entire work process from the cab.
