Krone revamps biggest EasyCut B mower-conditioners

The biggest two “butterfly” models in Krone’s EasyCut disc mower-conditioner range have been revamped to cut a little wider for increased versatility and output, while the largest model can have a new auger-based swathing option as an alternative to the belt type.

As a result of various changes, the machines are reckoned to be easier to operate – thanks largely to new options connecting the hydraulics to the tractor’s controls – and to service and maintain.

Designed to partner a 4m front mower in a triple combination, the B 880 can be adjusted mechanically to 8.52m and 8.72m working widths, in contrast to the 8.7m fixed width of the current EasyCut B 870.

See also: Driver’s view: Stuart Wilson’s Krone EasyCut B870 CV mowers

The new B 1050, meanwhile, shifts the two mowing decks apart hydraulically to fell from 9.3m to 10.4m of grass with each run, which compares favourably with the current B 1000 model’s 10.1m maximum.

Both come with crop conditioning kit using V-shaped steel tines formed into a 640mm-diameter variable-speed rotor, with a crimping roller option available for the smaller model to provide gentle processing of delicate leafy crops.

The new auger conveying option for the EasyCut B 1050 CV © Krone

Belt conveyors

The two machines can also be had as Collect variants with speed-adjustable belt conveyor assemblies to place swaths in various configurations, while the larger of the pair can be equipped with the new Big-Swath system.

This concept, already proven on the Big M self-propelled mower-conditioner, comprises a large-capacity, 450mm-diameter transverse auger conveyor on each cutting unit.

This is claimed to move large volumes of grass with a gentle action before depositing a swath in one of three widths.

New control options aim to make setting up and operating the mower-conditioners easier than before by creating a PreSelect link between the machine and the tractor’s hydraulic controls.

The new PreSelect DS50 control device © Krone

The simplest choice is PreSelect DS50, a small keypad-like device used to set up things such as individual deck lift and lower, swathing conveyor engage/disengage, belt speed, swath-laying configuration, and so on.

Alternatively, there is PreSelect Digital, a new interface for isobus terminals, with the option to allocate functions to an isobus-compliant joystick.

In this case, GPS section control can be enabled to lift and lower the cutting decks where passes converge and at headlands, relieving the operator of this task.