AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO) (http://www.AGCOcorp.com) – DULUTH, Ga. (Aug. 31, 2010) – As yields and farm size continue to increase, professional growers may find themselves facing unprecedented harvest challenges such as more grain throughput, heavier plant material, tougher stalks and stems and the need to harvest despite wet soil conditions. The new Gleaner® Super Series (http://www.gleanersuper7.com/) Class VI and Class VII transverse rotor combines from AGCO, being introduced at the 2010 Farm Progress Show, are designed to handle just these types of challenges.
“During the past 32 years, the transverse rotor combine from Gleaner, with its unique design and excellent performance, has gained a reputation for reliability, performance, low loss levels and high grain sample quality. During the past three years, we‟ve built upon this solid foundation, joining engineering smarts with field smarts to „supersize‟ the harvest capacity, capability and efficiency of our R6 Series machines to deliver all the performance without all the physical size, weight and complexity,” explains Kevin Bien, combine product marketing manager. “The result is the Gleaner S7 Series, at just under 30,000 pounds, the lightest Class VI and VII rotary combines on the market. If you think you know Gleaner, you‟ll think again after checking out these new machines.”
Delivering industry firsts
Also the first fully Tier IV interim-compliant combine on the market, the S7 Series is powered by the dependable AGCO SISU POWER™ 8.4 CWA-4V liquid-cooled, turbocharged engine featuring AGCO‟s exclusive e3™ SCR clean air technology. More fuel efficient at higher horsepower ratings than previous models with deep power reserves, the Model S77 delivers 370 hp (276 kW) @ 2,100 rpm with a power bulge at 1,950 rpm that jumps to 398 hp (297 kW) and the Model S67 with 314 hp (234 kW) @ 2,100 rpm with a power bulge of 344 hp (257 kW) @ 1,950 rpm.
The rear-mounted engine of the S7 Series distributes weight better and results in less noise and vibration, and the walk-in rear engine compartment is the industry‟s largest, offering better accessibility for service and maintenance. The machine also features a four-speed hydrostatic transmission and heavy-duty final drives to provide ultimate power and reliability. The rear adjustable steering axle and factory- or field-installed rear wheel assist (RWA) keep the combine moving through soft field conditions.
Another industry-leading aspect of the new machine is the largest standard 330-bushel (11,629L) grain bin on the S77 and the optional 390-bushel (13,743L) grain bin available on the S67 and S77. Also a first: the Gleaner‟s “Direct Flow” two-auger unloader design featuring a 12-inch (305 mm) grain bin cross auger that feeds a massive 14-inch (356 mm) unloader auger to deliver an average unloading rate of 4.0 bushels per second.
The S7 Series combine features a fully welded frame and low center of gravity that help eliminate flex and improve torque distribution to put more power to the ground. This, plus its light weight, contribute significantly to the machine‟s agility and maneuverability regardless of field conditions, and allow the machine to harvest and clean larger amounts of grain while leaving a lighter footprint across the field.
Natural-flow feeding and two-stage cleaning at the heart of the S7 Series
The heart and soul of the machine is its large 30-inch transverse rotor, which offers 360 degrees of surface area for more effective threshing and separating. Positioned transversely instead of axially as in other rotary combines, it allows for what AGCO calls “natural-flow feeding.” Fed by two, four-strand feed chains, the width of the crop mat is maintained throughout the entire crop feeding process to eliminate pinch points and expand throughput capacity before the crop enters the processor, helping deliver greater material throughput. Delivered at a constant angle to the concave and cylinder, the Natural Flow™ system pulls rather than pushes material and also eliminates twisting and turning of the crop to constantly feed the threshing rotor, increasing performance and productivity.
After the crop is threshed and separated, distribution augers uniformly distribute crop to the new larger accelerator rolls, which propel grain four times faster than free fall through a high-velocity air blast onto the grain pan. This two-stage process pre-cleans the grain with a larger 13-inch- (330 mm) diameter cleaning fan, providing 34 percent more air volume before the grain reaches the shoe to produce a cleaner grain sample than combines that rely on cleaning shoes alone to clean the grain, according to Bien. And, because grain coming from the processor is evenly fed across the entire cleaning shoe, the combine can operate on slopes of up to a 23 percent incline without the need for self-leveling devices.
Residue management
The standard chaff spreader on the Gleaner S7 Series uses the high volume of air passing below the accelerator rolls to blow chaff out the back of the combine. It features an adjustable tailboard and fins to help spread shoe material as it leaves the machine, spreading it into a wider swath. There is no stripping of material and no mechanical drives in the process. When used with the hydraulic straw spreader and redesigned spreader curtain, an optional hydraulic chaff spreader on the S7 Series allows
residue from small grains and similar crops to be spread evenly up to 40 feet from the machine, to enhance effectiveness of tillage, planting and chemical applications. Easy removal of the standard hydraulic spreader allows residue to be dropped into a clean, compact windrow.
Serviceability
The S7 Series is designed to have the fewest belts, chains, augers and gear drives possible, reducing the total number of moving parts and points of potential wear or breakage, and as a result, the number of hours required for service. The combine‟s overall low center of gravity puts most machine parts within easy reach from the ground. Easily accessible suction-type hydraulic filters, single reservoir and sight-level tube all work to limit service time demands without risking hydraulic system integrity. An optional auto-lubrication system eliminates one more tedious service task.
Painted galvanized exterior panels prevent rust, corrosion, expensive repairs and static electricity buildup associated with steel or plastic designs. Chromed and reversible cylinder bars encourage long life, and chroming on other high-wear points contributes further to the durability designed into the machine. A newly designed standard stone trap helps reduce the likelihood of rock damage and reduces stops in extremely rocky conditions.
Comfort and convenience
The Gleaner ComforTech II™ cab and controls are designed for day-long comfort and convenience to improve the efficiency of every task and every operator. In the center of the cab is an adjustable air-ride high-back comfort seat with armrests that position the operator within an easy-to-use and efficient reach of the control and monitoring system. A large service door opposite the entry makes access to the console quick and convenient, while a large rear cab window offers a complete view into the grain tank.
The new standard LED lighting package features six new lights on the lower cab, rear, grain bin and unloader to provide even greater lighting at night.
Technology
The Gleaner S7 Series combines come with integrated Fieldstar® II yield-monitoring systems as standard equipment. Fieldstar II uses yield and moisture sensors, global positioning and the Advanced Technology Solutions Console II to track yield data. In addition, Gleaner offers a satellite-assisted steering system to increase productivity by reducing unwanted overlaps or skips. The easy-to-use system is fully transferable to other AGCO Guidance Ready equipment.
Headers
Gleaner headers have been redesigned from the ground up for speed and convenience, plus the specific purpose of controlling the flow of crop material before it reaches the feed elevator. The Gleaner S7 Series combines offer the choice of the Model 9250 DynaFlex™ draper headers or the 3000 Series corn heads, as well as 4200 Series and 7200/8200 Series headers, providing options to get the job done right. These Gleaner headers now feature single-lever, multi-coupler connections for fast attachment and removal.
Warranty
The Gleaner S7 Series combines are backed by The Gleaner Guard™ header-to-spreader warranty, providing repair or replacement of non consumable parts found to be defective in workmanship or material for two years from date of delivery to the initial owner regardless of the number of hours the machine has been used. Optional one-year or two-year extended comprehensive warranty packages are available.
See the S7 Series at a farm show this fall
The Gleaner S7 Series combines will be featured in the AGCO exhibit at major farm shows throughout the Midwest this fall. Growers may see the machine at these events: Husker Harvest Days – Grand Island, Neb. – September 14–16, 2010 Big Iron Show – Fargo, N.D. – September 14–16, 2010 Ohio Farm Science Review – London, Ohio – September 21–23, 2010 Agri-Trade Show – Red Deer, Alberta – November 10–13, 2010
For more information about the Gleaner S7 Series combines and to see video of the S7 Series in action, visit http://www.gleanersuper7.com/. See your local Gleaner dealer to arrange a personal demonstration.
Source: AGCO