forage harvester BIG-X-480 Krone UK
BiG X 480, 530, 580 and 630 – the compact precision forage harvesters from KRONE for outputs of 490 hp to 653 hp and maximum chopping quality and output as well as superior ease of use and operator comfort.
- 490-653 hp continuous engine output
- 6 intake rollers for premium safety and a top quality chop
- MaxFlow chopping drums with 20, 28 or 36 blades, biogas drum with 40 blades
- KRONE VariQuick for ultra-quick changeover with or without grain conditioner
- OptiMaxx roller conditioners measuring 250 mm in diameter and 570 mm in width for intensive kernel processing
- KRONE VariLOC for flexible choice of long and short chops
- KRONE VariStream – spring-loaded plates beneath the chopping drum and at the crop accelerator ensure a continuous crop flow
- Convenient hoop coupler for easy attachment to the base machine
- Superb manoeuvrability from independent wheel suspension and wheel motors
- Optionally with four-wheel drive
- 3 m machine width (depending on tyres) for easy travel on public roads
The chopper unit
Optimum layer thickness
It's not just the number of blades that accounts for a good quality chop. The thickness of the mat that passes through them and therefore the width of the chopping drums are just as important. Therefore KRONE designed a wider 630 mm chopping drum for the BiG X 480, 530, 580 and 630 which carries the customary high chopping quality of the high-capacity foragers with 800 mm drums over to the smaller models.
Product features

- Top chop quality with six intake rollers
- High throughput with universal or biogas chopping drum
- OptiMaxx roller conditioner – Intensive conditioning
- VariStream – Continuous crop flow
- StreamControl – Optionally adjustable discharge distance
- VariQuick – Quick changeover between grass channel and corn conditioner
When you’re looking to maximize throughputs with a top-quality chop, the technology must be up to the job. With the BiG X, KRONE offers a forage harvester which convinces by top cutting quality, highest throughput and maximum user comfort thanks to the direct crop flow and the numerous innovative details which meet the requirements of successful service providers and make the working day easier.

- 6 pre-compression rollers for top-quality chops
- Hydraulic drive
- Stepless adjustment of the chop length from the cab
- Automatic adjustment of the chop length via AutoScan or NIR sensor
- Maximum protection against foreign objects
- Long path from metal detector to chopping drum
- Metal detection across the entire channel width
On a BiG X, it is also the intake system that has an influence on the quality of chop. The six intake rollers compress the chopping crops consistently at a high pressure so that it is easier and more precisely to chop. The hydraulic drive of the intake system allows operators to choose between setting the cutting length manually or automatically.

- Chopping drums with 20, 28, 36 or 40-blades for OptiMaize S to XL
- High flywheel mass: Closed drums with a diameter of 660 mm
- Top chop quality: Bespoke 630 mm wide drums for the BiG X 480, 530, 580 and 630 models
- Low fuel consumption: High flywheel mass, pulling cut
Matching the drum dimensions to the harvester model and choosing the optimum number and shape of blades not only boosts the power of the BiG X but also makes the OptiMaize S, M, L, and XL more flexible to suit more applications. The wide range of drums available for BiG X deliver a top-quality chop in any conditions anywhere in the world – at top performance levels.

- For grass, wilted crops, whole crop silage and maize in OptiMaize S, M, L, XL
- Chopping drums with 20, 28, or 36 blades
- Large conveyor space under the blade carriers
- Quick blade insertion and removal
The MaxFlow chopping drums are specially designed for conditioning of high-quality silage. Harvesting wilted crops with unevenly formed swaths is a challenge for the chopping drum; therefore, its blade supports have a special shape which leaves more room under the blades. Larger ‘pockets’ and the spring-loaded drum base result in extremely smooth running and high power reserves. So Big X makes light work of temporary crop accumulations.

- 40 blades arranged in V-shape
- High cutting frequency
- High efficiency
- OptiMaize S
- High gas yield
With its 40 blades, the KRONE biogas drum chops the crops very thoroughly. OptiMaize S achieves very short chop lengths which enable high throughputs both on the machine and in the fermenter, making BiG X a major factor in biogas plant productivity.

- All-rounder with OptiMaize thanks to globally unique system
- Cutting length gearbox for flexible use in short and long cut applications
- Drum speed changeover in just a few minutes
- No additional conversion or planning required
VariLOC is a gearbox in the pulley of the chopping drum. By simply changing the drum speed from 1,250 to 800 rpm using a standard open-end wrench, you can increase the chopping drum’s LOC range by up to 50%. This makes a quick changeover between long or short chops possible. You can fulfil your customers' fluctuating demands without any conversion or up-front planning. Combined with the new 105/123 tooth roller conditioner (with 30%, 40% or 50% speed difference), this gearbox turns your BiG X into an all-rounder and gives you maximum flexibility.

- 570 mm wide OptiMaxx roller conditioner with a diameter of 250 mm
- Helical toothed profile for perfect conditioning for OptiMaize S to XL
- BusaCLAD - Coating technology for maximum service life as an option
- The gap between the rollers can be conveniently adjusted from the cabin
- Strong spring assembly for consistently high contact pressure
- Intensive fracturing with optionally up to 50% speed difference
Every single kernel must be cracked to achieve an optimal digestibility. These user demands are perfectly met by the new OptiMaxx roller conditioners with their slanted teeth, a new KRONE development. The rollers score on a massive 250 mm diameter and a 570 mm width.

- Quick changeover from grass channel to corn conditioning and vice versa
- Convenient changeover via a chain drive
- The changeover takes just a few minutes
- Fast and easy removal of the corn conditioner
VariQuick is the system that allows operators to converse BiG X very quickly from maize to grass and the other way round. A chain drive (electric option) moves the corn conditioner out of or into the crop flow. If the corn conditioner is not used for longer periods of time, you can lower it and remove it from the machine by pulling it out to the side.

- Consistently smooth performance despite inconsistent crop flows
- Extremely quiet running even in uneven swaths
- High throughput
- Best quality chop
- Perfect operator comfort
VariStream comprises spring-loaded floors beneath the chopping drum and behind the discharge accelerator rotor. The system ensures blockage-free and smooth operation, even in varying volumes of crop. The technology allows operators to utilise the forager to its limit and use less fuel per hour.

- Adjustable discharge distance from the cabin as an option
- Concentrated crop stream even if discharge distance is long
- Lower power requirement as discharge distance decreases
- Loss-free, precise filling of transport wagons
The crop throw is controlled from the cab by adjusting the flap in the rear wall on the discharge accelerator.This way, operators can adjust the throw quickly to the current filling situation. As the accelerator needs less power to cover a short distance, the operator can free up engine output and use it for chopping and higher throughputs.

- Convenient attachment and removal
- Maximum safety
- Minimum set-up times
- Compact attachment
The multi-coupler system of the BiG X allows operators to couple headers fast, easy and dependably from the seat, reducing changeover times when preparing for road travel or different crops.This way, more time is spent on productive work.

- More power, quiet running, less wear
- Stepless speed adjustment from the driver's seat
- Automatic speed adjustment to the driving speed
- Quick coupler with round bracket for easy attachment and removal and optimum contouring
- Straight tine rotor for high throughput
The camless EasyFlow 300 S and 380 S pick-ups by KRONE have neither deflection rolls nor cam tracks. Compared with conventional pick-ups, EasyFlow has up to 58% fewer moving parts, which makes it impressively smooth running, low-wear and therefore inexpensive in service and maintenance. EasyFlow operates 30% faster for cleaner gathering and increased productivity.


With its working width of 6.20 metres, the KRONE XDisc 620 direct cut header achieves a high acreage output and therefore efficient harvesting of whole crop silage.

- Row-independent maize headers with working widths of 6 m to 9 m
- Best chop quality fewer overlength fractions thanks to linear crop feed
- Simple design and low power requirement
- Central gearbox
- Optional additional running gear for the two-piece EasyCollect for maximum safety on the road
The variable-row EasyCollect header is a versatile unit that feeds the stalks lengthwise into the machine, which translates into an unsurpassed quality of chop, as a coarse chop is the last thing livestock farmers or biogas producers want. The unique collector principle cuts labour costs and has proved its worth time and again the world over.

- Maize header with working widths of 6 m, 7.50 m and 9 m
- Rotating sickle discs for row-independent harvesting
- Collector principle with separation of cutting and conveying
- Free, low-vibration cut to prevent piston losses
- Variable rotational speed to adapt the cutting frequency to the harvesting conditions
KRONE adds new XCollect headers to the long-standing and well-proven EasyCollect series. The XCollect headers split cutting and feeding into two separate processes, responding to customer demands to deal with diverse harvest conditions around the world.

- 6-cylinder in-line engines from Deutz
- With emissions standard
- Final Tier 4 / Stage V
- Maximum continuous engine power from 490 to 653 hp
- High efficiency, quiet running
Cutting-edge technology from Deutz for maximum power and economy. Common Rail injection and optimal torque synchronization translate into smooth running, low fuel consumption, maximum efficiency and minimal maintenance. The innovative KRONE power management guarantees highest efficiency with maximum throughput.

- Simple design
- An extra-strong poly V-belt transmits engine power to the crop assemblies
- Long service life
- Separate drive for the intake rollers and the headers: Rollers and headers are reversible if the chopping drum suddenly stops
- Separate and dependable driveline to the drive pumps
The transversely mounted engine allows the drive pump, the chopping drum, the crop accelerator, the header and intake pumps to take the engine power directly off poly V-belts. No power take-off gear is required. All components for crop flow are activated via belt coupling.

- Front-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is optional
- Powerful wheel motors from Bosch-Rexroth
- Traction control system with three travel modes
- Infinitely variable speed range from 0 to 40 km/h
The hydrostatic wheel motors offer greater productivity and a higher level of automation and operator convenience. At the same time, this type of power train reduces maintenance and frees valuable space to fit a bigger and more powerful chopping assembly and move this further to the rear of the machine.

- Best visibility in the dark – Optionally with LED light package
- Huge fuel capacity up to 1,450 litres of diesel with optional additional tank
- Excellent accessibility for maintenance work
Long working days, sometimes even deep into the night, take a toll on the operator's endurance and concentration. This obviously requires excellent all-round visibility and full illumination at night, which is exactly what BiG X offers. The up to 1,450-litre fuel tanks hold enough diesel reduce the number of time-consuming top-ups and boost productivity Optimum access to all components ensures trouble-free service and maintenance.

The 275-litre dispenser for adding silage additives at high rates (0.5-7.5 l/min) is integrated on the offside platform next to the cab. Two 20-litre silage additive dispenser for small dose rates (0.03-0.25 l/min) can be installed on the left platform. In addition, it is possible to fit an external silage additive system. The silage additive can also be added relative to yields (option).

- Plenty of space and optimum climate control
- Large window screens for 360° all round view
- Maximum seating and operator comfort for long working days
- User-friendly operator terminal with colour display and touch screen
New premium cab developed to the latest ergonomic insights Providing generous space and an extra seat, it offers a fully air-conditioned and absolutely functional working place, where the operator feels at home and has full command of all functions and controls.

- AutoScan enables the chop length to be adapted to the degree of maturity of the crops
- ConstantPower ensures minimum diesel consumption with maximum throughput
- XtraPower for additional engine power when required
- EasyLoad facilitates filling the harvest fleet transport wagon to capacity
- RockProtect protects the harvester from damage by stones
- Joystick steering for maximum comfort in the field
KRONE offers a range of different systems which help utilise our BiG X forage harvesters to their full potential and ease the strain on the operator. The electronic assist systems supply relevant data on the crop and provide reliable Information in extremely difficult position.

Equipped with KRONE GPS Guidance, the BiG X can be steered comfortably and safely by autopilot. Thanks to this automatic steering system and the correction signals received by the GPS receiver, the BiG X can drive over the area to be harvested true-to-track and with minimum overlap. For the driver, this means fatigue-free work and a high level of comfort. In addition, the BiG X can also be optionally pre-equipped for ISOBUS steering systems from various manufacturers.
Models
BiG X 480 | BiG X 530 | BiG X 580 | BiG X 630 | ||
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Engine | MTU 6R 1300 | MTU 6R 1300 | MTU 6R 1500 | MTU 6R 1500 |
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No. of cylinders | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
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Engine capacity (l) | 12.80 | 12.80 | 15.60 | 15.60 |
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Continuous engine output (kw/hp) | 360 / 490 | 390 / 530 | 436 / 593 | 480 / 653 |
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Max. Continuous X-Power chopping output (kW / hp) | 338 / 460 | 368 / 500 | 408 / 555 | 452 / 615 |
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Max. Continuous Eco-Power chopping output (kW / hp) | - | - | 338 / 460 | 338 / 460 |
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Flexible Finance Options Available
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