KRONE SEEMS determined to prove that its BiG X forage harvester range is not just about size and scale, with the launch of three new options in the middle of the range's spectrum.

A working demo on forage maize recently near Whitchurch, in Shropshire, saw the BiG X 530, 630 and 770 models go on parade. This brings the range to nine versions.

These offer users a wider choice, with the larger 630 and 770 machines giving contractors improved versatility when harvesting a wider variety of crops.

The chopping cylinder has been replaced on all models by the MaxFlow drum, which is 630mm wide for 480 to 630 and 800mm wide for BiG X 600 to 1100. These have a 660mm diameter and can be specified with 20, 28 or 36 knives, giving a chop length from 3-31mm - the length can be doubled on each knife by removing half the knives.

Krone said new drums have twice the crop carrying capacity and significantly increase the productivity of the foragers.

On the 480 to 630, the new VariQuick feature that allows a fast and simple change over between corn conditioner and grass chute and is particularly relevant for contractors potentially working in a variety of crops on a daily basis.

Standard on the BiG X 480-630 models is a new independent wishbone suspension fitted on the rear axle of four-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive options. Designed to ease out the bumps over rough terrain, these allow the engine to be set lower, increasing driver visibility and stability.

It also means a 50-degree steering angle, ideal on headlands and the driver will also appreciate the standard climate control in the cab, a deeper and wider cab, a wide windscreen and high side windows for better visibility, especially the spout.

Available on all models except the BiG X 480 and 530 is PowerSplit - manual or automatic engine output adjustment to suit conditions - which leads to lower diesel consumption and improved efficiency.

On the larger BiG X 770, the latest standard drum brakes can stop the machine in less than 10 seconds, while a 300-litre additive tank, including pump terminal, can be used for yield dosing.

Power for the 530 and 630 come from MTU 6R 1300 530hp and MTU 6R 1500 626hp engines, respectively, and in the 770 a MAN D2868 V8 729hp engine gives the grunt.