A new 4.2m wide rear-mounted mower, the Disco 4400 Contour, has been added to Claas' green harvest range, which also feature the latest Liner rakes.

The mower features central pivoting and the 'active float' system, plus an innovative vector folding set-up.

Rear-mounted mowers with large working widths used in front-rear combinations can be an effective alternative to triple combinations, depending on the application, said Claas, which responded to customer demand for a rear mower with a working width of more than 4m.

This 4.2m mower features innovative diagonal 120° folding for safer road transport of less than 4m and a space-saving storage position.

It becomes the flagship model in the Disco range and as with the others it features the well proven Max Cut mower bed, for which there is a double-swath laying option, achieved by placing two swath drums on the fourth and fifth disc from the inside to create one narrower and one wider single swath. This is useful on wet or soft ground as it avoids driving on the forage.

The mower bed is pivot-mounted at its centre of gravity, while an adjustable spiral spring ensures that the bed comes down evenly during lowering, with two vibration dampers stabilising it as it is raised. Two pivot points on the arm at right angles to the direction of travel ensure optimum ground-contour following on uneven ground and when mowing banks.

The proven Active Float suspension allows the ground pressure of the mower bed to be adjusted from the cab by spool valve while on the move. A gauge on the headstock shows the currently set pressure.

In parked position, a mechanical latch disables the suspension system so that pressure is maintained in the circuit. Alternatively, the pressure can be reduced so that the mechanical lock is not required.

Standard fitment is a unique hydraulic non-stop collision protection. In the event of a collision, the mower bar swings back and over the obstacle thanks to a rotating pin inclined at an angle of 15°, with oil from the collision protection system forced into the suspension ram to further depressurise the mower bed. Once past the obstacle, it automatically swings back into work.

That hydraulic break-back arm also provides the unique 120° vector folding to allow the mower when folded for transport to lean backwards slightly to reduce transport height. This solution is said to reduce the load on the tractor front axle by around 50%, making steering easier and safer.

Claas has also introduced its new range of Liner twin and four-rotor rakes, which incorporate many new features and functions. These include the availability of Active Float ground pressure adjustment on the two largest twin-rotor Liner models and a complete redesign for the three new four-rotor models.

The four-rotor swathers come with working widths from 9.3m to 15m, while the two rotor models range in size from 6.2m to 10m working widths.

The backbone of the new four-rotor models is an innovative main frame made from high-strength steel, with a geometry resembling that of a telescopic crane. The enormous cross-section, combined with the trapezoid profile absorbs forces evenly to give exceptional stability.

Unlike previous models, the telescopic arms extend and retract by mean of a three-stage patented system, comprising of a C-profile and slide rails, enabling rapid adjustment of the working width.

Working widths can be adjusted by 3.4m to 4.9m depending on the model and swath widths can be adjusted from 1.3-2.2m on the Liner 4700); from 1.4-2.4m on the 4800; and 1.4-2.5m on the huge 4900).

All four rotors are driven mechanically by pto, thus increasing the raking force by up to 50% compared with hydraulic drives. All rotors are fitted with individual friction clutches to protect against overload.

The Liner 4700 and 4800 are fitted with a four-wheel chassis as standard, while the 4900 has a six-wheel system – which is an option for the two smaller versions.

The telescopic arms are fully retracted and folded up at 90° to the main frame for road travel. Once the main frame has been hydraulically lowered, the 4m transport height is achieved without having to remove the tine arms, thus reducing set-up times.

The next-gen twin rotor Liner 2600 and 2700 models are fitted with a four-wheel chassis as standard, while the bigger 2800, 2900 and 3100s come with a six-wheel chassis.

The front two chassis wheels are steerable and with the six-wheel system, the rear rotor wheels are replaced with pendulum axles.

The rake height can be easily read off the scale on the rotor’s central shaft and quickly adjusted by means of a crank handle on the rotors. Hydraulic rotor height adjustment is also optionally available for the dual-rotor swathers with central swathing.

The rotors are fitted with individual friction clutches to protect against overload and the freewheel of the drive shaft is positioned directly inside the Y-gearbox, enabling the rotors to rotate freely in transport position.

On the 3100, 2900 and 2800 models working width and swath width are adjusted hydraulically and synchronised using the telescopic arms. The Liner 2700 uses a single-acting hydraulic ram and on the 2600 are adjusted mechanically.

All dual-rotor swathers, except the Liner 3100, have a transport height of 4m with tine arms attached. On the 3100 it is necessary to remove three tine arms per rotor to achieve this height.