Introduced at an online event, Krone has added a new GX wagon to its forage wagon range. Designed to offer greater levels of versatility to work with a wide variety of cargo, the GX is available in two sizes (44 cubic metres and 52 cubic metres) with two optional discharge rollers.
The smaller GX 440 is mounted on tandem axles, while the larger GX 520 is fitted with tridem running gear and both models feature ISOBUS compatibility.
Cargo is unloaded using a fabric belt floor which is operated by two chains. The transparent headboard makes up part of the unloading system and is driven by two hydromotors. The company states that this is a gentle method, moving forage slowly and consistently to the rear without compressing it. This is particularly useful in sensitive crops such as vegetables or root crops.
Once the wagon is empty, the unloading unit is pulled back to the front of the machine. This means that the centre of gravity is moved only slightly, minimising the risk of tipping over and allowing the machine to be unloaded in low buildings.
The hydraulic motors (200 cubic centimetres on the smaller model, increasing to 250 on the flagship) offer two unloading speeds; 8m per minute or 16m. This means the GX 440 can be unloaded in just 40 seconds. It’s also possible to vary the unloading rate during silage unloading or reverse the floor to load from the rear.
A 2,000mm wide and 3.6mm floor belt offers a 50-tonne break strength, with two layers of polyester textile embedded beneath the PVC surface. The smooth underside reduces friction for non-stick operation, while the tension ensures it will not billow up when empty.
The single-frame design aids the low deadweight, further helped by low-weight yet strong GFP side panels. The enclosed chassis and sloping mudguards stop the build-up of debris, and the side panels are smooth to minimise resistance during unloading. It is also possible to reduce load over heights by 700mm thanks to a telescoping function.
Optional discharge rollers can be bolted to the tailgate when not in use. This is done by refitting four bolts and allows the wagon to be used for transporting bags, pallets for straw bales. They can be reattached using two bolts on either side, which fix two claws to the tailboard or to one sidewall.
Additionally, operators can enter the length of the silage pit and allow the machine to automatically control the unloading rate based on the forward speed, ensuring that the wagon is cleared out completely within the pit.
Other features include the hydraulic drawbar, with a tongue load of four tonnes to shift more weight to the tractor axle for increased gross weight. The slim design is said to aid manoeuvrability and it is fully suspended. The hydraulic control also makes attachment easy and can increase ground clearance to 70cm.
Mechanical or electro-hydraulic forced steering is fitted as standard; reflective strips are available as an option to complement double lights at the rear; crop covers can be specified, as can a hydraulic underride guard that automatically moves during unloading.
For more information go to www.krone-uk.com