The largest harvester in the world!

• 6 intake rollers for maximum reliability and best chop quality
• MaxFlow chopping drums with 20, 28, 36 blades, biogas chopping drum with 40 and 48 blades
• ­­­KRONE VariLOC: flexible use in long and short cut
• OptiMaxx roller conditioners with up to 305 mm diameter, 710 mm width and slanted teeth for intensive kernel conditioning
• ­­KRONE VariQuick: quick changeover for working with and without corn conditioner
• ­­KRONE VariStream: Continuous crop flow ensured by spring-loaded floors for chopping drum and discharge accelerator
• Powerful and low-emission engines from 687 to 1,156 HP
• Great manoeuvrability from independent wheel suspension: For extreme manoeuvrability
• Height-adjustable comfort cab: For optimum visibility

BiG X 680 – 1180, these are the extra powerful forage harvesters from ­­KRONE with an output of 687 to 1,156 HP. They impress not only with their high output and chop quality, but also with their comfort and handling.

KRONE OptiMaize

KRONE chopping technology for optimum maize forage quality

• OptiMaize S, M, L, XL for variable chopping lengths from 4 mm to 30 mm
• KRONE MaxFlow and Biogas drums with different blade specifications combine for producing the
• chops length you need
• KRONE OptiMaxx roller conditioners ensure optimum fracturing and kernel treatment
• KRONE VariLOC for flexible long and short chops without conversing the machine

OptiMaize brings full flexibility to all KRONE BiG X harvesters, allowing them to produce any type of chop length livestock farmers and Biogas producers call for. MaxFlow and Biogas drums are available with various numbers of blades and combine with matching KRONE conditioners to deliver perfect 4-30 mm (0.2"-1.2") chops and the most intensive treatment. The BiG X offers this wide range of chops without operators having to swap or refit the chopping drum – simply by reducing the cutting frequency with the help of VariLOC.

‘OptiMaizing’ – a KRONE concept for BiG X forage harvesters

The OptiMaize concept was developed by ­­KRONE and aims at producing forage of a superior quality. Livestock farmers ask for different chop lengths that meet different aims in the silage maize ration. The smaller the amount of fibres in the ration, the longer should the maize chops be to suit the needs of rumens.
By comparison, chop lengths should be short when the maize is used to fuel Biogas plants whereas the feed rations for beef bulls and dairy cows require much longer chop lengths to add structure to the ration. ­­KRONE OptiMaize combines various chopping drums (see table) and conditioners that enable BiG X forage harvesters to produce short and long chops of maize allowing machine owners to respond to individual customer needs. If you have to produce short biogas maize chops in the morning but coarse maize chops for animal feed in the afternoon, you will find ­­KRONE VariLOC the ideal solution for you.
This manual gearbox, which is integrated into the pulley of the chopping drum, can reduce the drum speed from 1,250 to 800 rpm within a few minutes. This reduces the cutting frequency and increases the range of available chop lengths by up to 50 %. In this way, it is possible to choose between short and long cut at short notice without the additional expense of converting the drum. This in combination with the ­­KRONE OptiMaxx roller conditioners makes BiG X a truly all-round machine.

The chop length can be grouped into four different ranges: OptiMaize S, M, L, XL. Each concept describes a different technical solution that leads to customised lengths that suit all applications.

The crop flow

• Six intake rollers ensure a top-notch quality of chops
• High throughput with universal and biogas drums
• OptiMaxx roller conditioners for intensive kernel processing
• Flexible chop lengths through VariLOC and the use of only half the number of blades
• Continuous crop flow from VariStream
• Variable crop throw is an option using StreamControl
• Quick changeovers between corn and grass thanks to VariQuick

Its innovative technology makes the BiG X a superior chopper with respect to performance and quality. Chopping lengths can be set to individual requirements by adjusting the speeds of the intake rollers and using different numbers of blades on the chopping drum. Highest through puts are implemented by the spring-loaded floor underneath the drum and a spring-loaded accelerator backplate which guarantee a continuous crop flow.

Intake system

• Helps achieve the desired chop length
• 6 hydraulic intake rollers
• The speed is set steplessly from the cab

Chopping drum

• The guarantee for top quality chops
• MaxFlow chopping drums with 20, 28 or 36 blades
• Biogas chopping drums with 40 and 48 blades

StreamControl

• Powerful discharge accelerator
• Adjustable discharge distance
• Precision fills of trailers following behind
• Reduced power when filling trailers running alongside
• Working without losses

The OptiMaxx roller conditioners

• Rollers with 250 or 305 mm diameter and 710 mm width for maximum performance
• Slanted teeth give a unique shearing effect for perfect cracking
• Up to 50 % speed difference for optimum fracturing results

VariQuick

• Minimum changeover time between grass channel/corn conditioner
• Quick changeovers between corn conditioning and harvesting grass
• Removing the corn conditioner is convenient using a lowering mechanism

VariStream

• Maximum throughput
• Spring-loaded chopping drum floor
• Spring-loaded rear wall of discharge accelerator
• Continuous crop flow even with uneven crop feed

The intake system

• Hydraulic drive: The chop length is steplessly adjustable from the cab
• Automatic setting of the chop length via AutoScan or NIR sensor
• 6 pre-compression rollers for top-quality chops
• Perfect protection from foreign objects: Long path from the metal detector to the chopping drum and metal detection across the entire width of the channel

On a BiG X, it is also the intake system that has an influence on the quality of chop. The six intake rollers continuously press the chopped material with high pressure so that it can be chopped more easily and precisely. The hydraulic drive of the infeed elements allows manual or automatic adjustment of the cutting length.

Versatile and flexible: Six pre-compression rollers and the 820 mm gap between the leading roller with metal detector and the counterblade not only enhance pre-compression but also protect the blades better against metal objects, even at high-speed intake. The hydraulic drive in combination with AutoScan adjust the chop length automatically to the maturity of the crop.

The KRONE chopping assembly

• KRONE chopping drums with 20, 28, 36, 40 or 48 blades
• High inertia: enclosed 660 mm (2'2") diameter drums
• Bespoke 800 mm (2'7") wide drums for the BiG X 680, 780, 880 and 1180 models
• Extremely fuel-efficient courtesy of a high inertia and pulling cuts

Matching the drum dimensions to the forager model and choosing the optimum number of blades not only boosts machine power but also makes the forager more flexible to suit more applications. The wide range of OptiMaize drums that are available for BiG X deliver top-quality chops in versatile applications anywhere in the world.

The material is pulled over the blades: The blades on the KRONE chopping drums are arranged chevron-style and at an angle of 11° relative to the counterblade. This arrangement makes for a continuous crop flow, extremely quiet running and maximum efficiency.

VariQuick

• Fast changeovers from grass to corn conditioning and vice versa
• A chain drive lowers the unit conveniently
• The changeover takes just a few minutes
• Fast and easy removal of the corn conditioner
• VariQuick is the system that allows operators to converse BiG X very quickly from maize to grass. A chain drive (electric option) moves the corn conditioner out of or into the crop flow. If the corn conditioner is not used for longer periods of time, you can lower it and remove it from the machine by pulling it out to the side.

VariStream

• Consistently smooth performance despite inconsistent crop flows
• Extremely smooth running – also in lumpy swaths
• High throughputs
• Top quality chop
• Operator comfort to perfection

KRONE VariStream comprises a spring-loaded floor beneath the chopping drum and a spring-loaded back plate in the crop accelerator housing.The system ensures blockage-free and smooth operation, even in varying volumes of crop. The technology allows operators to utilise the forager to its limit and use less fuel per hour.

Best quality of chop despite inconsistent crop flows

Best quality of chop in inconsistent crop flows: The spring-loaded chopping drum floor is connected to the anvil of the counterblade at the front. As these are readjusted, the gap between the blades and floor does not change. So any movement of the spring-loaded chopping drum floor that compensates for an inconsistency in the crop flow will not affect the quality of chop.

StreamControl

• Adjustable discharge distance from the cab as an option
• Tight crop stream even with a long crop throw
• The shorter the crop throw, the less power is needed
• Fills the transport wagon accurately without spillage
• The crop throw is controlled from the cab by adjusting the door in the backplate on the crop accelerator.This way, operators can adjust the throw quickly to the current filling situation. As the accelerator needs less power to cover a short distance, the operator can free up engine output and use it for chopping and higher throughputs.

The engines

• 8- or 12-cylinder V-engines from Liebherr
• Compact V design for transverse mounting
• Final Tier 4 / Stage V compliant
• 687-1156 hp maximum continuous engine power
• High efficiency and quiet running
• Advanced Common-Rail engine technology from Liebherr suggests superior outputs and fuel economy. The engines stand out for optimum torques, quiet running, superb fuel economy and high efficiencies.

The driveline

• Simple design
• An extra-strong poly V-belt transmits engine power to the crop assemblies
• Long service life
• Separate drive for the intake rollers and the headers: Rollers and headers are reversible if the chopping
• drum suddenly stops
• Separate and dependable driveline to the ground drive pump
• The transversely mounted engine allows the chopping drum and the crop accelerator to take engine power directly off a powerbelt. The engine also drives the pumps for the intake rollers and the header and also the pump for the ground drive and the assemblies. The power flows through a power take-off gearbox which uses a multiplate clutch to engage the assemblies.

Power to the assemblies

1 Engine mounted sideways
2 Belt drive system
3 Crop accelerator
4 7-groove powerbelt to choppingdrum and accelerator
5 7-groove powerbelt to corn conditioner
6 Corn conditioner
7 Chopping drum

The running gear

• Front-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive is an option
• Powerful wheel motors from Bosch-Rexroth
• Traction control with three travel modes
• High ground clearance powertrain
• Wheel motors offer greater productivity and a higher level of automation and operator convenience. At the same time, this type of power train reduces maintenance and frees valuable space to fit a bigger and more powerful chopping assembly and move this further to the rear of the machine.

Kitted out perfectly

• LED lights for best visibility at night
• Optimum access to all service points
• Large storage compartment for tools
• Auto lubricator for more convenience
• In the heat of harvest operators often work into the night.To ensure best visibility BiG X is equipped with a comprehensive light kit that turns night into day. Service and maintenance are made easy too thanks to wide opening side panels, an opening engine compartment cover, removable plastic mudguards and a ladder that swings out of the way to give easy access to all service points.

The KRONE multiple tank concept

• Seven different tank systems are available for maximum flexibility
• Customers can opt for more fuel or more silage additives
• Integral silage additive applicator with small/large dose rates as an option
• Maximum fill capacities for long working days
• A system of several tanks allows customers to specify the reservoirs on the machine to their needs – fuel, silage additive and water tanks can be added and configured in as many as seven different arrangements that meet individual needs around the world.

The cabin

• Extremely spacious and quiet
• Maximum seating and operator comfort
• 360° panoramic view
• Optimum visibility from the raised cab (option)
• It takes a comfortable working place to stay fit and alert during those long working days. The spacious Silent Space cab offers such an ideal environment. Providing generous space to the operator and a passenger, it provides a fully air-conditioning and an absolutely functional working place. The exclusive LiftCab offers an unprecedented panoramic view from a height of up to 70 cm.

Wider, quieter and brighter

Wider, quieter and brighter: The wide and slim posted cab offers plenty of space and best view of the headers with wide working widths. The floor is insulated twice for reduced noise levels in the cab. Sixteen H9 lights provide superior illumination. A package of 23 LED work lights is available as an option.

The KRONE LiftCab

Superb visibility: If the BiG X is specified with a LiftCab, it will be possible to raise the complete cab to any height up 70 cm. From the raised position operators enjoy a full overview of the tall stands and can easily monitor the filling processes. As another advantage, the raised cab increases the distance between the operator and the chopping assemblies thereby reducing the noise level at operator’s ear.