Due to have made its UK debut at the 2020 Grassland & Muck event, the Jaguar TT is the first self-propelled forage harvester to be available with a factory-integrated crawler track system with hydraulic suspension. The new concept offers optimal soil protection under all conditions and an intelligent headland protection system prevents damage to the grass cover and enables year-round operation.
Two Jaguar models are available with the unique Terra Trac system – the new top-of-the-range 925hp Jaguar 990TT and the 653hp Jaguar 960TT.
Tests conducted by Kiel University of Applied Sciences have confirmed that even when the crawler track system is used in its narrowest track version (635mm wide), the resulting contact area of more than 1.3 square metres is more than twice that provided by 800-size tyres. In combination with a tyre pressure adjustment system (also available ex factory) for the rear axle, the Jaguar Terra Trac offers optimal soil protection. One benefits is that it doesn’t sink into the ground so deeply when operating in difficult, wet field conditions. Two other track variants with widths of 735mm and 890mm are also available.
The headland protection system of the Terra Trac crawler drive system comes into its own in grassland. When turning, the support rollers in each track unit are pushed down hydraulically, the front drive roller is raised and the contact area is reduced by about a third, so avoiding damage to the grass cover by the shear effect. Measurements by Kiel University show that the soil pressure with the support rollers lowered is less than that exerted by a wheeled machine.
As a result of the decades of Terra Trac experience that Claas can call on, this technology is integrated perfectly in the new Jaguar. To accommodate the Terra Trac unit, the forager’s chassis has been extended by about one metre. This results in a significantly larger maintenance compartment and excellent accessibility by means of maintenance panels above the crawler tracks, and enables the corncracker to be easily removed over the track unit on the right side.
The pivoting mounting system allows the machine to be operated in even the most difficult conditions, with the crawler track units able to oscillate upwards by 10 degrees and downwards by 13 degrees, with robust end stops limiting the vertical travel.
On the road, when fitted with 635mm wide tracks the Jaguar Terra Trac remains within an external width of 3.0m and is therefore very easy to move around. With wider 890mm tracks, overall machine width is 3.5m. The suspended chassis enables a top speed of up to 40 km/hr and provides an exceptionally smooth ride.
Soil compaction reduces yields and takes a great deal of work to eliminate again, especially in grassland. This is why Claas attaches great importance to soil protection, starting with measures taken during the machine development process. It was 30 years ago that the company presented the first series-production combine harvester with full rubber tracks. The Terra Trac concept, almost in its current form, followed a few years later. Since then, Claas has pursued the systematic development of crawler track technology on the Lexion large combine.
For more information visit: www.claas.co.uk.
