With the BiG M 450, KRONE presents another upgrade of its self-propelled mower. Offering huge work width, superior manoeuvrability, optimum weight distribution and tapping into enormous power reserves, Krone BiG M 450 is the perfect mower for large and small fields, for flat and hilly land and for the most difficult soil conditions – a machine that excels in any conceivable application in any field in the world.

At Agritechnica 2017, KRONE introduced what was then the fifth generation of a Krone BiG M mower. The mower conditioner received a comprehensive update and offered a cutting width of 9.95 m (32’8″). The new 6-cylinder, inline Liebherr engine with PowerSplit control delivers 449 hp. That’s plenty of power in reserve.

Driven by wheel motors and turning through a 50° angle, BiG M is extremely easy to manoeuvre and as such also offers great efficiency in small fields. An excellent front-rear weight distribution (64% : 36%) ensures that the self-propelled mower also copes perfectly in difficult terrain.

When the swathing hoods on both mowers are closed the augers feed the material from the sides to the middle, windrowing it into one central swath. When cutting along field edges you can also close just one hood to present a clean job to the following harvester.

The Mowers
Direct drive through Powerbands and driveshafts
Stepless and hydraulic cutting height control
Front mower with optional auto sideshift relative to the current steering angle
DuoGrip centre-of-gravity suspension on the side mowers
The innovative KRONE BiG M 450 driveline allows operators to achieve work rates of more than 17 hectares per hour. The power flows from the axially mounted engine down the powerbands and driveshafts and directly to the three mowers. And superior operator comfort comes from hydraulic cutting height control from the cab and fully hydraulic ground pressure control.

All engine power on the BiG M 450 flows directly and efficiently to the three mowers. The transfer gearbox, which is positioned right in front of the axial-mount engine, splits the power and sends it down belts and driveshafts to the individual mowers.

Changing the ground pressure and the cutting height on all mowers is very conveniently managed from the cab. Operators can program two cutting heights and ground pressures to the system and select the setting from the joystick.

DuoGrip: The side mowers are suspended in ball sockets in a centre-of-gravity system, which ensures a uniform ground pressure across the full working width. The side pulling forces are absorbed by two parallel arms. The design results in a large pivot range for consistently clean cuts in sloping fields and along ditches and verges.

The front mower is available with an optional sideshift function. After a sensor detects the current steering angle, the mower moves hydraulically to the right or left and relative to the current position of the wheels. The feature eliminates the risk of striping in curves and on sloping fields.

The EasyCut Cutterbar
Fully welded and permanently lubricated HeavyDuty cutterbar
SafeCut shear-pin protection for each individual disc
Satellite driveline smooths the power flow inside the cutterbar
SmartCut system ensures a perfect cut
Added protection from wear
The BiG M 450 sources its super sturdy disc mowers in HeavyDuty specification from the well-proven EasyCut range. The power flow enters the mower from the rear through the gearbox and flows down a driveline of massive and quiet-running spur gears that drive the satellite gears and the discs. KRONE SmartCut implements a generous overlap of those discs that turn away from each other, which translates into a perfect cut. Meanwhile, the SafeCut system protects the blade from damage caused by hitting an object.

SmartCut for stripe-free cuts: With some discs turning in pairs towards each other and others turning away from each other, it was necessary to redesign the degree of blade overlap to ensure cleanest cuts. For stripeless cuts in light and young crops, we have therefore increased blade overlaps on the discs turning outwards. In addition, the blades turning to the rear are now further apart to promote smooth flows of large volumes of crop.

SafeCut: Each disc on the mower has its own individual impact protection. When the blade hits an obstacle, the shockload is transferred to a roll pin which breaks. As a result, the disc moves 15 mm (0.6″) up on its threaded drive pin and clear out of the risk zone and away from the neighbouring discs.

Swapping blades is a matter of seconds – no tools required. Just use the spanner supplied.

The Conditioners
High-performance conditioners for haulm crops
Full-width conditioning
V-type steel tines for intensive and gentle treatment
Conditioning intensity is altered without tools
The KRONE CV conditioner ensures fast and uniform wilts at high throughputs. The conditioning intensity is set by selecting a rotor speed (700 rpm or 1,000 rpm) and by tool-free adjustment of the gap between the rotor and the baffle plate.

The V-type steel tines on the 64 cm (2’1″) diameter rotor feed the crop past an adjustable baffle plate which rubs the wax layer off the plants. The V-tines are made from hardened steel and are arranged at a steep angle, treating the material very intensively and pulling it effectively through the unit.

The gap between the tines and the baffle plate is adjusted steplessly by means of this lever. The smaller this gap, the more intensive is the treatment.

The conditioning intensity is adjusted quickly and easily to the current conditions by setting the speed to 700 rpm or 1,000 rpm on the side-mounted input gearbox. No tools required.

The Swath Mergers
 

Augers with fingertip-controlled hoods
Augers ensure a clean and gentle crop feed
Crops hardly touch the ground – minimum contamination
Perfect swath presentation for the following harvesters
Cutting, conditioning and producing one single swath – BiG M 450 completes three tasks in one operation. With the augers forming an integral part of the side mowers, they deposit the material on the swath that was formed by the front mower without the material touching the ground at all, staying very clean and reducing a pass in the harvest chain.

Opened wide, the auger hoods present the material in a fluffy and uniform swath. BiG M 450 memorizes the previous setting of the hoods and retrieves it when the mowers lower into work. The new augers have 20% larger flights for higher throughputs and an even gentler crop feed.

When the swathing hoods are open, the material flows over the turning augers and spreads across the full machine width for uniform and fast wilting, thereby eliminating one tedding pass.

Open one hood only and BiG M 450 swathes the material to one side. In one up-and-down pass the machine windrows 19.90 m (65’3.5″) into less than 13.00 m (42’8″) for easy follow-up with the four-rotor rake which groups it into one single swath – a system that makes perfect use of the following machines.

When both hoods are closed, the two augers feed the material directly to the central swath that was formed by the front mower – a strategy that substantially reduces crop loss and contamination and eliminates the raking pass.

The Ground Drive And Running Gear
 

Infinitely variable power transmission via wheel motors
Reduced 1,250 engine rpm in road travel for better fuel economy and ride comfort
Hydro-pneumatic axle suspension for high operator comfort
Hydraulic axle height control adjusts ground clearance to conditions
Wheel motors bring the power steplessly on the ground and make BiG M 450 fantastically easy to steer and manoeuvre. The axles boast hydro-pneumatic suspension for ultimate operator comfort and hydraulic height control, so that operators can flexibly adjust the ground clearance of the machine in field work and for road travel at reduced transport height.

The hydraulic wheel motors make BiG M 450 an extremely agile machine which also manoeuvres easily in small fields. Each wheel is driven by a swashplate motor and a set of planetary gears. Unlike traditional drivelines which use universal joints, this type of ground drive is very robust and hard-wearing.

All axles on the BiG M 450 can vary their height hydraulically and have hydro-pneumatic suspension – features that offer operators ultimate ride comfort both in the field and on public roads. For example, they can lower the running gear to bring the transport height down below 4 m (13’1.5″).

The maximum road speed is 40 km/h (25 mph) which is generated at 1,250 engine rpm. At the same time, engine speed is automatically controlled relative to the current ground speed and load. For example, the system reduces the engine speed when the machine is waiting at a traffic light or when it is approaching a junction, saving a great deal of fuel and reducing the load on the engine and the drives.

BiG M 450 is clad with 800/65 R32 (front) and 600/65 R28 (rear) bar-tread flotation tyres as standard, which give the machine the necessary traction and protect the turf. Flotation Trac 800/60 R 32 (front) and 600/60 R 30.5 (rear) tyres from Vredestein are also available as an option for grassland applications. This is a very robust tyre which gives very quiet running, offers a very large contact area and very soft treading on the turf.

The Engine
 

6-cylinder, 449 hp LIEBHERR engine, Emission Stage IV
Large 1,500-hour service intervals
Extremely fuel-efficient thanks to PowerSplit engine control
Automatic load limit control for maximum efficiency
Mounted on silent blocks and therefore quiet running
Large radiator with passive rotor for optimum temperature control
The 449 hp LIEBHERR engine features automatic engine control which tailors the output to the current load on the mowers. Consequently, BiG M 450 will use less fuel in lower- yield crops. A new load limit control system monitors the engine speed and reduces the ground speed when engine speed is very low. Mounted on silent blocks, the engine runs very quietly in all situations.

The LIEBHERR engine that powers the BiG M 450 is Emission Stage IV compliant and uses SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) to achieve clean combustion. The technology injects urea into the exhaust stream upstream of the catalyst which converts the nitrogen oxides that develop during the combustion process into natural nitrogen and water. The fuel tank holds 780 litres and the urea tank 80 litres to last through long working days without the need for topping up.

The KRONE PowerSplit engine control monitors the engine speed. In Eco mode, the engine starts off at 1,650 rpm and puts out 354 hp. It changes into M mode when a higher output is detected. The output in M mode is 449 hp. Load limit control kicks in when engine speed droop is excessive. It automatically adjusts the output, which substantially reduces consumption.

A new top-speed control system allows operators to make even more efficient use of their machine. The system reduces the ground speed automatically as soon as the engine is revving within a specific range and thereby ensures the cut is always perfect.

Mounting the engine centrally between the rear and front axle brings a number of benefits: short drivelines to the mowers, an ideal 64% : 36% front : rear weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.

The Cab
 

Large window screens offer perfect all-round visibility
Comfortable seating and maximum operator comfort
10-inch operator terminal with colour-display touch screen
Optional LED package for maximum lighting
Modern armrest with joystick
Mounted on hydro bearings, the SilentSpace cab is particularly quiet, offers plenty of space and an ergonomically designed environment. The standard specification level comprises a high-resolution 10-inch touch screen terminal where the operator enters and monitors all machine settings, an armrest with integral joystick, as well as climate control and an electric cooling box. More comfort is available from the optional LED package or the Premium comfort seat.

Plenty of glazing and slim posts make for excellent visibility of all mowers. The double floor ensures noise levels are reduced and a comprehensive line-up of work lights with optional LED lights on the roof and the panels turn night into day.

There are also offside steps now, so operators can clean the right windows conveniently. The steps are available with optional LED lights for safe access and exit at night.

The optional Activo Premium is a ventilated and heated seat from where all controls are in easy reach. The comfy seat ensures fatigue-free work during long days in the field. The large 10-inch terminal records all major machine data and displays them on the high-definition colour screen, where the operator enters many of the machine settings. A reverse drive camera with display screen is an option for perfect overview of all elements.

The ergonomic joystick is integrated in the armrest on the operator seat. The joystick offers convenient control of all machine functions simply by pressing a button. Its controls are clearly marked for ease of use and four of them are customizable to suit individual operator needs.

Service And Maintenance
 

Sensor-based auto lubrication
1,500-hour engine service intervals
Optimum accessibility through wide-opening covers
Plenty of storage space for tools and parts
Large 780-litre diesel and 80-litre urea tanks
BiG M 450 is specified with many details which make service and maintenance a lot easier and reduce the time spent on these jobs. The sensor-controlled automatic lubrication system supplies oil to most greasing points.

Plenty of fuel in store: The large 780-litre fuel and 80-litre urea tanks do not call for many refill stops.

Most grease points are attended to by an automatic and sensor controlled lubricator – a system that ensures the machine receives optimum attention.

Two stowage compartments are arranged underneath the panels between the cab platform and the front wheels. The battery compartment and the master switch are located above the nearside front wheel with assorted parts stored to its left-hand side. The compartment on the offside wheel stores water for the wipers and for the operator to wash his/her hands and offers room to store wedges and more assorted parts.

At the rear of BiG M there is another large compartment that stores two blade holders and the spanner for the blades plus a toolbox.

The blades are easy to get at for quick change and replacement after the operator folds back the cover including the curtain.

Further Specification Options
 

BiG M 450 is ISOBUS autoguidance ready and adopts control systems from various manufacturers. The autoguidance system uses GPS data and the correction signal to steer BiG M automatically and without operator interference along the crop line, allowing just a minimum overlap (left). This way the machine makes maximum use of its massive working width and potential. Using accurate GPS data, KRONE SectionControl enables BiG M 450 (right) to detect cut areas and raises the mowers automatically to avoid a second cut. SectionControl is a particular effective help for operators when it comes to cutting headlands or wedges.

The side guards on the mowers fold up before the machine moves into transport position to ensure transport width does not exceed 3 m (9’10”) . The side guards on the front mower fold up hydraulically as an option.

The optional LED package brings 360° lighting to the machine and turns day into night. Machines that are specified with this package have LED lights all round, including the lights on the service points and the steps. This improves all-round visibility in poor light conditions.

Want to find out more? Don’t hesitate to contact us!