New Holland wins Agritechnica silver medals

Innovations by New Holland for its combine harvesters have gained the manufactuerer two Agritechhnica silver medals.

The Opti-Speed strawwalker system improves productivity by up to 10% and the Cornrower header perfectly combines in field efficiency with New Holland’s hallmark commitment to sustainable farming practices.

“New Holland is committed to developing innovations which bring practical benefits to the world’s farmers and contractors.” Stated Carlo Lambro, Brand President, New Holland Agriculture. “Furthermore we, together with the world’s farmers, have the great responsibility of maximising sustainable food and energy production. The Cornrower header enables farmers to produce both food and fodder from maize crops as well as converting the previously wasted by-product of maize stover into productive energy through biomass.”

The Opti-Speed strawwalker technology, which was recognised with a silver medal, is exclusively available on the CX7000 and CX8000 Elevation range of super conventional combines.

The range, which includes the world’s most powerful strawwalker machine, producing up to 490hp, is extensively used by the world’s professional large-scale farmers and contractors.

The unique Opti-Speed system delivers up to 10% higher productivity by automatically varying the strawwalker speed based on the field’s gradient. The operator simply selects from four pre-set crops, and the Opti-Speed system autonomously modifies the strawwalker speed.

When driving uphill, the strawwalker speed reduces to decrease the transport speed of the straw over the strawwalkers and when driving downhill, strawwalker speed is increased to prevent blockages. Moreover, in flat fields, this system is particularly beneficial for maize harvesting thanks to slower strawwalker speeds. As such, a productivity gain of as much as 20% can be achieved.

This one pass system reduces operations’ fuel consumption as well as limiting in field compaction. Furthermore, all maize stover is chopped and remains clean and free from dirt and stones. Any lost kernels fall onto the windrow, and as such bales used as fodder have an improved nutritional profile. This superfine chop system also allows the stover to release moisture more quickly to reduce the time from chopping to baling. Additional usages include as absorbent animal bedding and as a ration supplement which, when mixed with hydrated lime and water can help to reduce the cost of fodder by up to 40% when compared to traditional maize silage.