CLAAS extends its range of swathers with four new LINER models

With the introduction of the new LINER 1700 TWIN, LINER 1800 TWIN and LINER 1900 twin-rotor side swathers, as well as the LINER 320 single-rotor swather, CLAAS has extended its swather range and, thanks to numerous technical innovations, can offer the appropriate machine for every requirement.

The LINER 1800 TWIN is a brand-new model, while the LINER 1700 TWIN and 1900 are the successors to the LINER 1650 and 1750 models. The new twin-rotor side swathers deliver the punch that intensive grassland operations need, while the LINER 320 is a perfect choice for smaller areas and hillsides. All models feature new technology such as a sealed maintenance-free rotor dome, cam rollers operating in an oil bath and, for the side swathers, PROFIX tine arm brackets.

Robust and maintenance-free: the sealed swathing drive

As with all CLAAS swathers, the four new LINER models feature a hermetically sealed rotor dome with eight, 12 or 14 tine arms with continuous lubrication of the cam rollers in an oil bath. This ensures high reliability and operations without downtime for maintenance.

Trailed fully floating suspension

All new twin-rotor side swathers feature a trailed fully floating rotor suspension, which is controlled via a ball head and offers maximum freedom of movement. The innovative design allows the rotors to adapt to any ground contour, even on extremely uneven ground, ensuring a clean raking performance in all positions and high feed quality.

High operational reliability

Just like the current versions of the LINER 1600 and 1700, the rotors on the new twin-rotor side swathers feature a friction clutch as standard. The benefits: peak loads are gently cushioned, and the material is protected. The driver can continue operations even in difficult conditions or over small obstacles. Tine brackets with a set bending point provide an additional level of operational reliability. If an obstacle is hit, only the tine arm in question is bent, leaving the swathing drive undamaged. With proven PROFIX brackets as standard, faulty tine arms can be replaced directly in the field with a minimum of effort. The PROFIX multiple gearing also ensures a secure and low-wear fit of the tine arms in the tine brackets.

Special tine shape for a clean crop intake

All new twin-rotor side swathers also feature CLAAS double U-bent tines as standard. Their specially developed shape ensures that the tines are always in the on-grip position, and operate gently and reliably, so that even large forage quantities are picked up tidily without soiling the material. The tines are 9.5 mm thick, making them both robust and flexible as required.

TWIN models with single and dual swath laying as standard

The new LINER 1700 TWIN and 1800 TWIN models provide the option for single or dual swath laying as standard, via telescopic arms. For dual swath laying, the only adjustment required is to move the pins. For even tidier swath laying, an optional swath guard is also available for both TWIN models. When folded, the main guard is automatically pivoted via a parallelogram, which reduces the transport height. The swath guard can also be locked in the transport position, in order to lay as wide a swath as possible when going back for a single swath. Another optional extra is a hydraulic folding function for the swath guard.

Running gear that adapts to the ground

All three new side swathers have a four-wheel running gear on both rotors as standard, ensuring high forage quality and raking operations that are gentle on the ground. The wheel configuration, which is as close as possible to the tine rotation, has been optimised to gauge the ground profile and achieves tidy raking with minimal soil contamination. As an option, all models are also available with six-wheel running gears. Thanks to the positioning of the main chassis at the rear, which is fitted with large tyres, the models also offer excellent stability during transport or operation on slopes. Optional wheel weights are available to further improve stability. Steering locks of up to 80° are made possible with active steering as standard, providing the required manoeuvrability in small fields. There are two hole positions available to the driver for the adjustment of the steering.

No ground contact or tines digging into the soil

Hydraulic sequential switching allows the time delay to be adjusted for raising and lowering of the rotors. Digging in of the tines into the soil when raising or lowering the rotors is avoided, because of the “rotor jet effect”.Thanks to the very high lift height of up to 50 cm, running over transverse swaths at the headlands is no problem. With dual swath laying, even a 55-cm ground clearance is possible.

Effortlessly switching between operation and transport position

The transport height of the three LINER models is under four metres even in the transport position, which means that no tine arms need to be removed before driving on the road. The driver can switch from the operating to the transport position from the cab, without having to get out to make adjustments. All models have a maximum permissible transport speed of 50 km/h.

Compact and advanced: the LINER 320

The new single-rotor LINER 320 completes the CLAAS range of compact swathers with advanced technology. As with the larger models, the rotor drive including the cam track is completely sealed and continuously lubricated. The LINER 320 has a working width of 3.20 m, and is fitted with eight tine arms with three spring tines each. A three-point mounting with a stabilising frame guarantees smooth trailing, even in difficult conditions and on hilly terrain. This, in combination with a lightweight design, makes the LINER 320 the ideal entry model for smaller farms where work regularly takes place on awkwardly shaped fields or on difficult hillsides.

The new CLAAS LINER 320 as well as the 1700 TWIN, LINER 1800 TWIN and LINER 1900 models are available from next season.