The latest cab and tech on New Holland’s Forage Cruiser self-propelled chopper were unveiled to US growers and custom operators visiting the Farm Progress Show and harvester working demonstrations. 

An anti-blockage system (claimed as an industry first), refreshed electronics and info screens, and variable-rate steering are all part of the package, alongside a roomier cab interior.

The five-model line-up continues unchanged – ranging from the 476hp, 2000Nm six-cylinder FR480 to the 911hp/4095Nm V8 FR920.

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All have an 860mm-wide intake channel and an 884mm-wide, 710mm diameter “chevron” knife pattern chopping cylinder.

The anti-blockage system uses a discharge spout-mounted radar sensor to monitor the crop flow.

It has been developed by engineers at New Holland’s combine and forager R&D and production plant in Belgium.

The operator is alerted if a significant change is detected relative to the machine’s forward speed.

This helps to reduce the incidence and severity of any bung-ups that do occur, so it can be cleared quicker.

New Holland says the system is especially helpful for inexperienced operators, giving them greater confidence to push the machine towards its optimum output.

Revamped cab

Less steering wheel twirling is needed at headlands with the CustomSteer three-stage, variable-rate steer system.

There are more seat style and spec choices.

In addition, tall operators will likely appreciate the 6cm of additional seat travel, as well as the extra floor space liberated in the otherwise familiar cab.

Reduced noise levels result from fitting double-glazed front and rear windows and additional sound-dampening materials in the floor, headliner and rear wall.

The CommandGrip multi-function controller and its buttons can be operated with a lighter touch, with longer travel bringing greater precision.

The current models’ single 10.4in Intelliview touch display has been upgraded to the 12in Plus version.

More processing power brings faster boot-up time and responsiveness as part of wholesale renewal of the harvester’s electronics architecture.

A second display can also be added – and is required for managing the mapping, guidance and Intellifill automated trailer-filling options.

New Holland’s NutriSense NIR technology analysing and recording crop nutrient data has been upgraded as a factory-fit option, integrated with the new FieldOps farm and enterprise management cloud-based platform.