German manufacturer, Claas, unveiled a number of new products at Agritechnica, but one of the more interesting statements from the company was that diesel will power agricultural machines for the next 5-10 years and that ‘alternatives’ are not yet available.

Hermann Lohbeck, who’s on Claas’ executive board, said: “Claas can see no real alternative to diesel to power agriculture engines in the next five to 10 years. Of course, we are looking at the alternatives but I think it is too early for them.”

On a more practical note, Claas showed off its Terra Trac system fitted to both a Jaguar forage harvester and an Axion tractor. It has carried out extensive research into soil compaction and the problems associated with it hence why it launched the Terra Trac system in a bid to eliminate the problem.

It was 30 years ago that Claas presented the first series-production combine harvester with full rubber tracks, followed up by Terra Tracs a few years later.

It said the benefits of using this system on combines include 66% lower soil pressure compared with wheeled machines; 40 km/h on-road travel with a transport width that complies with road traffic licensing regulations; and a high level of driving comfort through hydro-pneumatic suspension.

By adding the Terra Trac to its Jaguar, Claas will be the first forage harvester manufacturer to present a factory-fitted integrated crawler track system for forage harvesters.

During a turning manoeuvre, the machine is supported on the middle rollers, thereby raising part of each crawler track. As a result, the contact area and degree of soil pressure change briefly to a level comparable to that obtained with 800-size tyres.

With 635 mm wide tracks, the Jaguar with Terra Trac remains within a transport width of 3m with a top speed of 40 km/h.