CLAAS, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of agricultural engineering equipment, has re-engineered its QUADRANT square balers with an aim to achieve increased output and maximum durability
The CLAAS QUADRANT is one of Germany’s top-selling square balers and for the 2022 product year, the QUADRANT 5000 and QUADRANT 4200 series has received technical upgrades along with the additional designation EVOLUTION featuring a new heavy-duty pick-up.
New pick-up with two cam tracks
The highlight of the QUADRANT EVOLUTION is the new HD pick-up with two cam tracks. This design aims to achieve maximum torsional resistance and exceptional robustness. Wear costs have been reduced by increasing the use of highly resilient components borrowed from the CLAAS JAGUAR pick-up and by reworking and strengthening bearings, intake panels and other parts resulting in smoother running with reduced noise levels.
The mechanically driven pick-up with five rows of tines and 18 double tines per row has also been tweaked to increase throughput and further improve raking quality. The extra row of tines allows the pick-up to rotate more slowly, while the speed of the POWER FEEDING SYSTEM (PFS) roller has been increased. The feed roller has also been given extra paddles which can be removed when harvesting long-stalked crops. The spring-mounted PFS feed roller compensates for uneven swaths.
The overall objective of the innovations is to enhance raking performance and throughput while ensuring gentle, loss-free crop pick-up. To handle the higher throughput volumes, the release torque on the friction clutch has been increased to 1,600 Nm and the diameter of the pick-up main drive shaft has been enlarged. Semiautomatic chain tensioning ensures reliable pick-up drive and automatic lubrication and a 6.3 litre oil reservoir is available as standard.
Optimised bale chamber with additional HD components
The bale chamber has also undergone performance-enhancing modifications with the top section incorporating the header plate and side panels has been redesigned and strengthened to produce an even better bale shape and slightly higher bale density. Factory-fitted side knives and deflectors are available to reduce material build-up in the ram guide area when baling straw, maize or sugarcane – further increasing operational safety and reducing the cleaning effort.
The automatic baling pressure control (APC) has recorded higher response levels and sensitivity to twine tension or load in the intake area.
The use of additional Hardox HD components (some standard and others optional) such as HD bearings for the ram guide with up to four times the service life has further been introduced to reduce wear in the bale chamber, knotter area and intake. The component changes and simplified maintenance have resulted in a reduced TCO (total cost of ownership).
According to CLAAS, in an internal test involving 40,000 bales per machine under extreme conditions in some cases, the new design combined with the more wear-resistant components was found to reduce wear by up to 40%.
Improved hitching and handling
The QUADRANT 5300 EVOLUTION has a new front frame and headstock, while the QUADRANT 5200 EVOLUTION and 4200 EVOLUTION only have a new hitch frame. This provides additional hitching positions for drawbar eyes or K80. The hydraulic stand of the new QUADRANT EVOLUTION is double-acting, longer than the previous generation and built into the hitch frame. Standard Kennfix quick-release couplers aim to make it easy to connect the hydraulic lines.
Modifications to the twine boxes are done to increase the efficiency of the operator. The twine guide swings out and can be locked in a position which means that the twine can be threaded when standing beside the machine without having to use a stepladder. The twine brakes can be adjusted from the same standing position without needing tools in order to save time and increased workplace safety. A 10 litre hand-washing tank is provided as a standard for the driver to use after completing any adjustments.
The new optional function that is the bale ramp can be opened and closed hydraulically to enable the final bale to be ejected from the driver’s seat, again eliminating the need to step down from the cab and actuate the lever beside the bale chamber.
Simplified terminal operation
Changes have been made to the electronic control panel of the QUADRANT EVOLUTION, which is accessed via CEMIS 700, CEBIS or any other ISOBUS-compatible terminal. Two working menus and three settings menus provide an overview and rapid navigation. In auto mode, the machine capacity utilisation is displayed based on average bale weight and baling pressure. In addition, the driver can now monitor the oil temperatures and oil levels in the terminal at all times. With the optional PROFI CAM 4 camera with the additional display on request, the driver can also keep an eye on working areas such as the knotters, the bale chute or the entire area behind the tractor-baler combination when reversing. Modifications on the machines are designed with comfort and safety enhanced in equal measure.
For more information, visit www.claas-group.com
