KRONE BIG X

KRONE in second place is making fast progress in Ireland on market share for self-propelled harvesters.

It’s all about the Big X, with its best-selling models being the Big X 630, 580 and 530 machines. The 630 is the most popular seller and user reports indicate it has done well in typically tough Irish conditions with heavy crops of silage.

It has 626hp on offer and, like other Krone foragers, is notable for having six feed-rollers. The six pre-compression rollers run off a hydraulic drive shaft while the header can adjust automatically for good flotation on undulating ground.

This reduces the risk of scalping and bringing soil into the chopped crop. The 630 is the biggest of the compact models in the Big X line up.

Stephen Scrivener, marketing manager with Farmhand, importers for Krone in Ireland, says: “After a bumper year in 2019 for forage harvester sales across the Island of Ireland, the market contracted quite a bit this year. We have sold six foragers in a much-reduced market. We have had double digit Big M 450 self-propelled mower sales again though, which is great to see.”

He adds that contractors and farmers need not be worried ahead of the silage season when it comes to parts and machine deliveries. “Krone have remained open and fully operational so far through the crisis.

“This has allowed us to get in all of our self-propelled and standard machines early which was great to ease the pressure. Our parts stock order is also well in and much of it out with dealers so they can be prepared for any breakdowns that might happen. If the situation allows, it is our plan to have a number of demo Big X SPFHs out this year.”