Krone revealed its BiG X 630 forage harvester is not just for making silage at Cereals, with many arable acres now being put down to growing crops for bio-digesters.

One of nine models in the forage harvester range, the BiG X 630 is the company’s largest powered option with a narrow body and is powered by an MTU 6R 1500 15.6-litre six-cylinder engine.

Its PowerSplit feature matches power to crop yield and has two operating modes, Eco-Power 460hp and X-Power 596hp and its cab features a large touch screen terminal and Krone joystick for easy and comfortable operation.

A new MaxFlow chopping drum with a choice of 20, 28 or 36 knives provides chop lengths from 3mm to 31mm. The drum has twice the crop carrying capacity giving it a significant efficiency boost.

The VariQuick system allows the corn conditioner to be engaged and disengaged in a matter of minutes.

Also from Krone, the BiG Pack 1290 HDP II is a new generation high-capacity square baler that delivers up to 50% more bales than the previous HDP baler. Bale density is increased by up to 10% without slowing down baling.

This performance comes from design upgrades, from the pick-up all the way down to the eight double knotters.

A bigger flywheel of 608kg is backed up by an intermediate gearbox that increases its speed to 1180rpm and the main gearbox is able to handle a power flow of up to 1230kW (1680hp).

The new Big Pack also features the Active Pickup, the crop press roller and the mechanical feed roller as standard spec’.

Rotor cutter diameter has been increased by 30% to 720mm. Operators can select 26 or 13 knives quickly and without the need of tools. The cutting system is driven by a Powerband and the rotor cutter shuts off automatically if either the belt slip is excessive, or the packer is blocked.

Three packer arms have been reinforced and the feeder arm now receives larger cam rolls, increasing the capacity of the feed chamber.

Six pressure rams operate the HDP II chamber doors, the top door being operated by two 140mm rams and each of the two side doors by two 110mm rams.

Also, the unique double-eight knotter uses 20% less space than existing knotters and can tie the higher density bales. They are supplied from a compartment carrying 54 balls of twine, with an option for two further compartments, each storing six balls.

A bale weighing system is integrated in the bale ramp with an accuracy of down to 2%. Overload protection is provided by clutches rather than shear bolts.