Claas has announced that four new Variant round balers will be joining its grass kit line-up from 2023.

The smaller of the new balers, the 560 RC and 565 RF, can create bales from 0.9 to 1.6m in diameter. The larger 580 RC and 585 RF will churn out rounds up to 1.8m in size.

The new machines are designated as either an RC or an RF, categorised by having a Claas “Roto Feed” rotor, or a “Roto Cut” cutting rotor.

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The RC balers feature heavy-duty, reinforced drive components, such as stronger drive chains.

They also have a cutting rotor that consists of 8mm double-tine stars and a special knife protection system, which makes it more amenable to handling silage. This gives a theoretical chop length of 60mm.

Within the cab, operators can hydraulically lower the “pro rotor” drop floor to clear blockages, which automatically depressurises the 17-knife cutting mechanism.

Another update has been made in the binding area. Claas has improved the positioning of the net roll, which now sits some 25cm lower than on the previous generation of balers.

This, the firm says, has made changing the roll both safer and easier.

Also in the binding area, the net brake and knife-release systems have been improved to make sure the tying process runs smoothly in all conditions.

The four new baler models will be available from early next year.