Updates for the 33-40cu m RX and 43-56cu m ZX forage wagons from Krone include hydraulic variable-speed drive to the pick-up, plus further refinements to the intake rotor and crop-slicing assemblies.

In addition, larger capacity models in the RX line-up gain a crop-packing adjustable front wall, as already featured on the ZX machines.

The switch from mechanical to hydraulic pick-up drive is intended to make the operator’s job easier while maximising productivity.

See also: Tips and advice for buying a used forage wagon

The running speed of the 2.12m wide cam free pick-up reel is adjusted automatically through isobus electronics in proportion to the forward speed of the tractor.

This maintains consistent feed-in rates, regardless of the size of the swath. 

To cope with the occasional lump of grass or an uneven swath, the operator can override the system on an isobus touchscreen display to temporarily increase the setting to full speed.

Beyond the pick-up, Krone’s SplitCut solution – first introduced on ZX wagons – deals with the problem of uncut grass flowing in from the outer ends of the intake.

Forage is channelled over the top to the centre section of the undershot rotor so it gets presented to the slicing knives.

Larger RX models now have a forage-packing moveable front wall © Krone

Short chop

Another improvement is the addition of auger-like angled plates on the outer ends of the rotor that pull in the sides of the swath to present a uniform squared-off flow of material to the chopping knives positioned behind.

Here, the new OptiGrass cutting system with its high-precision, scissor-like action is now able to produce a shorter nominal length – 28mm with the 54-blade version and 37mm with the 40-blade alternative.

For sharpening or replacement, the knife bank is lowered and pivoted through 90deg for clear access at the side of the wagon.

To pack as much forage into the machines as possible, the ZX’s moveable front wall is introduced on larger capacity models in the RX line-up – from the RX370 upwards – replacing the current fixed wall and its folding top section.

This means a new location is needed for the optional plastic additive tank, which is now housed within the chassis at the rear of the wagon.

SplitCut returns uncut grass from the outer edges of the intake to the front of the rotor to ensure it comes up against the crop slicing knives, while the edges of the incoming swath are folded in to form a uniform, squared-off flow of forage © Krone