Forage Harvesters

Forage harvesters, also known as silage harvesters, silage cutters, hay harvesters, or choppers, are agricultural machines that harvest forage plants to make silage. Silage is fermented, high-moisture stored fodder that can be fed to cattle, sheep, and other such ruminants or used as a biofuel feedstock for anaerobic digesters. 

Unlike a tractor-pulled forage harvester, a self-propelled forage harvester is a specialised machine that both harvests and processes the crop in one pass. It is equipped with its own engine and propulsion system, hence the term ‘self-propelled’.

The machine typically has a front-mounted cutting head that can be swapped out to accommodate different crops. As the harvester moves through the field, the crop is cut, chopped into small pieces, and then either blown into a trailing wagon or truck, or stored onboard if the machine is equipped with a storage container.

Self-propelled forage harvesters are commonly used in large-scale farming operations due to their efficiency and ability to handle large volumes of crops. They are particularly useful for making silage from corn, grass, and other forage crops.

In essence, the key difference between the two lies in their end product: a combine harvester is used to harvest crops for their grain, which is used for human consumption or animal feed, while a forage harvester is used to make silage, a fermented feed used for feeding livestock.

The BiG X Forage Harvesters are reliable, robust and great value for money. They can be referred to as silage harvesters, but they're technically the same machine. A forager offers minimal maintenance, and maximum performance. So you can use your maize or grass harvester tractor on the field confidently.

At Krone, the Big X 1180 is the top of the range model. It's one of our best products for contractors and farmers because it's designed for speedy harvesting and exceptional chop quality.

Other forage harvesters within our range may be more suitable depending upon your individual needs, which is why it’s best to speak with our experts to find the right one for you. 

• Efficiency: A silage cutter can process large amounts of crop in a short time, making them highly efficient equipment for large-scale farming operations.
• Quality of Feed: The forage they produce is of high nutritional quality, which is beneficial for livestock feeding.
• Versatility: They can harvest a variety of crops, including grass, corn, and other plants used for silage.

The main difference between the various models is their horsepower. Models range from 490 to 653 hp and from 687 to 1156 hp, offering different levels of power for different farming needs.