Claas has updated its Variant round baler and monster Quadrant square baler.

The Variant now has four models: the 460RF and the 465RF both offer bale sizes between 0.9m and 1.55m; while the larger 480RF and 485RC can throw out a round of 1.8m. All four machines have the same 2.35m wide pick-up reel as standard.

The stronger bale chamber now houses a standard drop-down floor that can be hydraulically lowered by 30mm to force stubborn lumps through without becoming jammed.

See also: How to get a big square baler ready for the new season

An improved rear tailgate means the bales now have a discharge time of just six seconds, says Claas, while there is an option for extra wide netting to help keep the rain out.

Quadrant

For the firm’s big square balers, the company has developed its automatic pressure control system, which maintains the weight of each bale and monitors the stress on the drive system to improve the consistency of bale density.

Linked to this is a knotter control system that has sensors to gauge the stress on each of the six knotters and alert the driver if there’s a broken string or a missed knot. The knotters also get the benefit of an upgraded fan forcing air at 140kph over the six units to keep them clean from debris.

All models come as standard with a 2.35m wide pick-up and a double crop roller press for even feed-in. However, an optional extra is hydraulic drive to the pick-up and press roller to help let the driver match forward speed to the swath density, which is particularly useful when minimising damage to crops such as Lucerne.