CLAAS has updated its range of ORBIS maize headers with the ORBIS 450 being the latest to receive a makeover, which now shares many of the new features initially introduced on the larger ORBIS 600SD and 750 last year.

The ORBIS 450 has a working width of 4.5m and as on the two larger models it incorporates the new tilting frame concept and redesigned T panels, which reduces weight and increases wear resistance.

Newly designed fingers ahead of the knives ensure low-loss crop collection and feature points which can be removed for harvesting laid maize. The new design also adds significant strength to the fingers which will help especially in weedy conditions. The new knives with their new unique crescent-shaped blade deliver top cutting quality in all crops. The central crop feeding tower rotors have been repositioned to improve crop flow and are now angled forward to aid crop feed. They have also been moved further apart, so increasing the feed channel width to allow crop to be fed into the full width of the feed rollers and chopping cylinder. The augers on the side of the ORBIS have also been redesigned to help feed the crop into the header especially when the crop is laid or flat. These new augers are also now hydraulically driven.

Tilting frame with T-panels

The new roller pendulum frame concept has lifted the crop flow to the centre of the JAGUAR’s pre-compression rollers which has improved the crop flow, even when the header is at full oscillation in uneven fields.

This robust component has been optimised to handle the weight of the header and the forces generated by it. Depending on the field conditions, the mounting angle of the pendulum frame can be set to two different positions. The advantage of this arrangement, especially in wet conditions, is that the cutting angle of the header can be maintained even when the front wheels of the forage harvester start sinking into the soil.

The new frame of the ORBIS provides a much shallower cutting angle, giving the benefit of a much shorter stubble height. This allows the crop to be cut at less than 100mm off the ground if required. AUTO CONTOUR provides active control of the lateral compensation and ensures a precise stubble height across the entire working width.

Newly designed, modular T-panels support the drive train and the discs. In combination with the new frame design they enable a low and even cut without dirt adhesion. The T-panels are press-hardened and rounded, dimensionally stable, wear-resistant and protect the transmission elements against wear and structural loads.

For road transport, the new ORBIS 450 rapidly folds down to just 3.0m and this compact folding system means the operator has an unhindered view for road travel.

Drive concept for perfect chop quality

The drive concept is matched perfectly to both the JAGUAR 900, including the variable front attachment drive, and the JAGUAR 800, and ensures perfect chop quality.

A two-speed gearbox is used to adjust the overall speed of the ORBIS while a three-speed gearbox controlling the feed drums makes for perfect coordination of the crop flow. An automatic function for the variable front attachment drive allows the crop flow to be optimised conveniently from the cab.

The reduced number of gear units and the effective power transmission keep the power requirements low and maximise efficiency. And in a positive development with regard to maintenance costs, it has been possible to extend the oil change intervals to 2,500 hours or 5 years.

Every ORBIS is equipped as standard with a communication module which transmits data from the front attachment to the forage harvester and saves JAGUAR settings. Even after a change of front attachment, the settings are not lost, a feature which saves time and avoids operating errors.