Massey Ferguson has finally announced the launch of its long-awaited rotary combine range.

These US-made machines, built in the Hesston factory in Kansas, have been on test this side of the Atlantic for some time and have been extensively adapted to suit European farming conditions. They also now get a new cab and electronic system.

Fortia

The Fortia range consists of three models, the MF9695, MF9795 and top-of-the-range MF9895. Power for the three models will come from a 378hp 8.4-litre Sisu diesel, a 413hp version of the same engine and a 459hp 12.5 litre Caterpillar engine, respectively.

Massey says the hydrostatically-driven rotor in these combines is the longest on the market at 3.56m. A 700m wide version is used in the two smaller models and an 800mm unit in the 9895.

Standard header is a 9m Powerflow and grain tanks range from 10,500 litres on the 9695 and 9795 to a whopping 12,300 litres on the 9895. They are also fitted with rainproof, electrically-operated covers and a high-output discharge system that is claimed to give unloading rates of 158 litres/second. That works out at a speedy 78 seconds to empty a 12,300(-litre??) tankful.

All three models have a new cab with a large, colour touch-screen with auto setting of all main functions. Flagship MF 9895s also come with all the kit needed to fit the Autoguide automatic steering system.

Centora

Massey also launched the replacements for its Cerea big 8-straw-walker conventional combines. Called the Centora, these will be made at MF’s Randers plant in Denmark and consist of two main models.

The 378hp Centora 7280 replaces the Cerea 7274, while the 413hp Centora 7282 replaces the Cerea 7278. Engines and threshing mechanisms are pretty much the same as in the old models. But the main changes are in the cab, where new controls and steering column make life more pleasant.

Unloading augers have also changed from up-and-out types to a harder-to-bash turret auger that fits to the top of the combine and moves in and out horizontally. Access to the combine’s innards has also been improved by a single big panel for each side of the machine.

Activa

MF has expanded its smaller Activa combine range both downwards and upwards by adding the 176hp 7240, a new entry-level five straw-walker model and the 275hp high-output six straw-walker 7247S model.

The 7247S bridges the gap between the Activa range and the bigger Beta models, while the 7240 is designed to be a cost-effective machine for farmers who don’t want to buy second-hand and smaller contractors.

Both models will be built at the Breganze factory in Italy, in which AGCO recently took a 50% stake as part of the expansion of its harvesting machinery range.

Prices of all new models will be announced at the end of this month and the combines themselves will go on sale in September.