US REPORT ▶▶▶
A camera underneath the cab enables the driver to monitor the pickup reel, which is not visible to the naked eye
As well as letting the driver swing easily into
the next windrow, this means the machine can quickly spin though 90deg for depositing bales safely on hillsides, says ZR5 product manager Josh Vrieze. This process can also be incorporated into the machine’s automatic bale tying procedure (more on that later), so the driver can sit there swigging tea while it gets on with it. Switching to road mode locks the castors in
place and activates a ram, which steers the front wheels. This means it can travel safety at speeds of
48kph (30mph) or more. Meanwhile, the independent hydraulic front suspension helps iron out the bumps, even
when bouncing over rough terrain at baling speeds of up to 12kph (7mph).
Cab and visibility To help make the most of that front cushioning, the Claas combine cab has been mounted just behind the front wheels. With nothing other than the castors in front this also means the driver gets uninterrupted views of the swath ahead. The downside of this set-up is that it makes it impossible for the driver to see the pickup or the tailgate with the naked eye. But to get round the problem, cameras have been fitted in both locations. As Vermeer points out, this actually makes
the job more comfortable for the driver, as it puts an end to having to constantly peer over the shoulder. The pickup reel camera is also positioned to look right into the throat of the baler so the operator can keep an eye on crop flow.
Engine and transmission In true Yankee style, Vermeer has chosen a powerful 173hp Cummins engine to power its new machine. This drives a hydrostatic transmission which,
as well as giving the flexibility to independently adjust the speed of the rear wheels for in-field steering, gives infinite speed adjustment and the opportunity to automate stopping and starting. The baler unit itself is also hydraulically
The machine has a 196cm pickup and produces bales up to 1.5m wide and 1.8m in diameter 28 ▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017
driven, says Mr Vrieze. That means the speed of the pickup and belts can be adjusted independently, allowing the driver to tweak settings according to the conditions. It can also be set to speed up the belts during the tying process to complete the bale faster and get back into work. Engineers are playing around with different speed settings to see which gives the highest output. For these early prototypes, Vermeer has based the design on one of its largest variable- chamber belt balers.
VERMEER
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