HARVESTER REVIEWS tough customer Brent Lilley finds New Holland’s FR780 Forage Cruiser is designed for maximum efficiency and economy in this 2018 review Pluses Widest feed rollers and chopping cylinder on the market for higher throughput Sectional metal detection for easier metal and rock detection Forward and reverse sharpening Impressive 16-litre FPT engine with a massive 775hp uses only AdBlue to meet Tier 4 final emissions Updated cab and controls layout for easier operation PowerCruise and Eco engine management for high output and better economics Minuses Static causes dust to stick to the panels where they are glued to the frame This drive set-up means the speed of the feed rollers and length of chop is infinitely variable from the cab. <strong><strong>Farm</strong>s</strong> & <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Machinery</strong> took some time during the maize season in Waikato in New Zealand to see the New Holland FR780 Forage Cruiser in action. With a maximum output of 775 horsepower (578kW) achieved between 1,700 and 1,900rpm, the unit is designed to maximise efficiency – particularly fuel efficiency. FEEDING New Holland boasts the widest feed rollers on the market, using a hydraulic-powered gearbox to help drive a wide, thin feed of material into the cutting cylinder. Double feeder drive – a standard feature on the FR Forage Cruiser range – uses an additional hydraulic drive motor to give the header more power and allow the speed of the feed rollers (chop length) to be varied independently and infinitely. This drive set-up means the speed of the feed rollers and length of chop is infinitely variable from the cab. In my past experience of driving forage harvesters, this is something that is well worthwhile, particularly with heavy crops such as maize. Not only does the New Holland FR780 have the widest chopping cylinder on the market, at 884mm, but the whole feed channel has been widened to enable the machine to process a larger quantity of material – and fast, spinning at more than 1,000rpm. Each knife is attached to the cylinder with five bolts for safety and they are arranged in a chevron pattern for a smooth, efficient scissor-like cutting action against the shear bar. Buyers can choose from 16 to 40 knives, depending on the chop length range required – the one we tested had 24. New Holland has had forward or reverse sharpening as an option for some time and it’s definitely a case of not realising the benefit of having it until you have used it. Forward sharpening is effective to set the bevel and take the heel off the knives but reverse sharpening is the key to hone the sharpest edge, and it’s a relatively simple set-up with a hydraulic motor that simply turns the chopping cylinder in reverse for the sharpening cycle and the stone is drawn across the top of the cylinder. As you’d expect, the sharpening and shear bar setting processes are carried out from the cab and are adjustable. METAL AND ROCK DETECTION New Holland has also come up with new ideas to detect rogue metal in the crop quickly, with its Metaloc system bringing the feed rollers to a halt in 0.003 seconds once metal is detected. The in-cab monitor shows which of six feed roller sections the metal is in, relaying the same information to the trailer driver by flashing the indicators a prescribed number of times. I reckon it’s easier and quicker to point out where the metal is located, but there’s no denying the convenience of this system. New on these models is a rock alert system that monitors the up and down movement of the feed rollers – stopping them if a large or sudden movement is sensed. Like the metal detector, sensitivity can be adjusted to suit the conditions. ENGINE The five-model 2018 FF Forage Cruiser range now uses FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies) engines, from 480hp (358kW) up to a massive 920hp (686kW) in the newly released FR920. The FR780 we tested uses a six-cylinder 16-litre FPT engine, which offers up to a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption over earlier models. Its diesel tank capacity sits at an impressive 1,200 litres and 200 litres of AdBlue, which is sure to keep you on the move. An ‘Eco’ engine-management mode essentially gives two settings for the electronic throttle: a high rpm range, which can be set between 2,100 and 1,950rpm (ideal for grass); and a low range that can be set between 1,700 and 1,850rpm (ideal for maize), offering impressive fuel savings. The top transport speed of 40km/h is possible at just 1,200rpm for further fuel savings when moving between jobs. CAB The FR780’s rounded ‘fishbowl’ cab boasts a few subtle changes such as improved access and soundproofing. This cab is roomy and gives almost 360-degree views of the header and the trailer, whether loading on the left, right or opening up behind. 62 Trade<strong>Farm</strong><strong>Machinery</strong>.com.au THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
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