Balers have been a key part of the Claas portfolio since the company introduced the Press-Bu-Bi 95 years ago, having already filed a patent for the knotter hook a decade earlier.
In the near century since, the company has produced and sold more than 400,000 balers worldwide.
Now it is celebrating 30 years of its variable chamber balers. The Variant 180 was launched in 1996, following a few years of OEM production of the Variant 16.
Key to this was active bale start and drive via the rotor, which ensured a reliable bale start even in difficult conditions and provided high densities. Added to this was the hydraulic soft-core function, which enabled crops such as hay to be dried further if required.
In the 30 years since, the company has introduced hydraulically lowering cutting floors, a 360deg rotor, net tying with edge coverage, Smart Density, the MultiFlow HD pick-up, and the Cerex 700 to complement the Variant range.
“Balers are one of the strongest foundations of our company,” emphasises Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, CTO of the Claas Group. “Today, we can look back with pride on 30,000 variable-diameter round balers built, the majority of which are Variant models. Our current range, comprising the Cerex 700 and Variant 500, is built on this extensive experience – the strongest range of variable-diameter round balers we have ever had at Claas.”
To mark the 30th anniversary, the company has built two special edition machines – a Cerex and a Variant – with cream white side panels inspired by the first generation machines, and an oversized 30 Years logo.
Claas will also offer individual financing for 12 months for any buyer of Variant and Cerex machines.