BiG X 680 | 780 | 880 | 1180

• KRONE chopping technology for optimum maize forage quality
• OptiMaize S, M, L, XL for variable chopping lengths from 4 mm to 30 mm
• KRONE MaxFlow and Biogas drums with different blade specifications combine for producing the
  chops length you need
• KRONE OptiMaxx roller conditioners ensure optimum fracturing and kernel treatment
• KRONE VariLOC for flexible long and short chops without conversing the machine

OptiMaize brings full flexibility to all KRONE BiG X harvesters, allowing them to produce any type of chop length livestock farmers and Biogas producers call for. MaxFlow and Biogas drums are available with various numbers of blades and combine with matching KRONE conditioners to deliver perfect 4-30 mm (0.2"-1.2") chops and the most intensive treatment. The BiG X offers this wide range of chops without operators having to swap or refit the chopping drum – simply by reducing the cutting frequency with the help of VariLOC.

Maize that is harvested to fuel biogas plants is chopped to very short lengths. Depending on moisture levels, chops of 4 mm to 7 mm lengths have been found ideal for this application, because shorter chops make the energy readily available to the methane producing bacteria in the fermenter thereby increasing gas yields. The KRONE forage harvesters use a Biogas drum with 40 or 48 blades to harvest biogas maize. Alternatively, OptiMaize S results can also be achieved with the 36 blade MaxFlow drum. For good fermentation, the leaves and stalks are subsequently fractured and the kernels destroyed by a KRONE corn conditioner with 123/144 teeth and rotors rotating at a 30 % speed difference.

Grass based rations for beef bulls and dairy cows which consist of up to 40 % of maize should be made up of 8 mm to 10 mm (0.3" to 0.4") chop lengths. This length of cut and an appropriate conditioning intensity avoids lack of fibre in the ration. OptiMaize M chopping quality is achieved by the MaxFlow drums with 36 and 28 blades. The ideal conditioner is the KRONE corn conditioner with 123/144 teeth whose speed differential can be increased from 30 % to 40 % or 50 %.

Chop lengths of 11 mm to 19 mm are ideal for dairy feed rations where the percentage of maize is about 60 %. Rumens require silage maize that is reach in fibres. The OptiMaize L chopping quality is achieved by the ­­KRONE MaxFlow chopping drums with 28 or 20 blades. The complementary conditioner for these drums is the ­­KRONE OptiMaxx with 105/123 teeth. The speed differential on these rollers can be increased from 30 % to 40 % or 50 %.

The maize in dairy feed rations made up of more than 80 % by maize and that do not contain sufficient quantities of grass and feed straw should be chopped to 20 mm to 30 mm lengths to avoid lack of structure in the feed. The ideal drum for long chops is the MaxFlow chopping drum with 20 blades which is complemented by the ­­KRONE OptiMaxx roller conditioner with 105/123 teeth and 30 %, 40 % or 50 % speed differentials.