Strautmann will launch its new flagship forage wagon, the Magnon, at Agritechnica 19. The Magnon will be biggest in the Strautmann range and has been redesigned to offer a unique new ‘Flex Load’ pick-up system alongside an ‘Exact Cut’ knife bank and hydraulically pivoting front panel, providing maximum loading and harvesting capacity.

Three Magnon CFS models are available with a loading capacity of 42m³, 46m³ and 52m³. From the 2021 season this new line-up will completely replace the Terra-Vitesse models.

These new forage-wagons use a revolutionary design of pick-up. Instead of steel tines, the new 2.25m wide ‘Flex Load’ reel uses plastic fingers arranged in six V-shaped rows. Using polymer components, rather than steel, provides a greater degree of flexibility and durability which enables the pick-up to better handle uneven terrain. Steel stripper-bands between the plastic tines are positioned low to ensure optimum crop flow and reliably prevent the grass from wrapping and blocking. Furthermore, there is no contact between tines and strippers, which results in smooth running and minimises pick-up wear. If a change of tines should be necessary, this is an easy job by simply loosening one single screw.

The pick-up is powered hydraulically. Thus, the speed is infinitely adjustable and can be set according to harvesting conditions. An automatic function which adapts the pick-up speed to the tractor’s forward pace is part of the standard equipment. Working height is set using a simple pin-and-hole set-up. A depth gauge roller mounted behind the pick-up is available as an optional extra to ensure optimum contour-following in wet or uneven terrain.

Another new feature on the Magnon is the Strautmann 48-knife ‘Exact-Cut’ chopper unit. With a cutting edge on both sides of the blade, a 35mm chop-length is reliably guaranteed. The knives have a rapid-trigger protection function, which automatically retracts them from the crop channel if a foreign object is detected. They then return automatically to their working position, maximising work-rates while minimising damage to the knives.

The Magnon continues to feature Strautmann’s unique and well-proven Continuous Flow System (CFS) which ensures grass is spread evenly across the full width of the rotor and knife bank, irrespective of the condition of the swath. While ensuring an consistent chop quality, this also reduces torque-loading, power requirement and fuel use.

To maximise loading potential, the Magnon also has a new hydraulically pivoting head-board. To fill the wagon, it is initially angled rearwards into the body to achieve optimum compression of the fodder. When the load space is completely filled to the rear, the front panel then automatically tilts forwards, providing another 5m³ of load capacity. That means that the Magnon is more compact than its predecessor but offers a larger load capacity. The pivoting headboard also aids in unloading. When discharging, the panel automatically tilts to the rear to facilitate fast and complete emptying of the load space. The body is 2.4m in width and has a galvanised steel floor. The chain-and-slat ‘walking’ floor employs four low-wear chains, each with a rated breaking–strain of 13t.

To ensure safety and comfort when working at high-speeds, all Magnon forage-wagons are equipped with hydraulic suspension. While 430 and 470 models are fitted with tandem axles, the flagship 530 model has an extra set of wheels, taking maximum axle loading to 30t. The biggest possible tyre size is 800/45 R 30.5 - considerably larger than before. As well as ensuring low ground pressure, these bigger wheels also help to significantly reduce rolling resistance and consequently the pulling power required. The solid BPW axles can be equipped with passive mechanical steering or an active electronic system.

In co-operation with Müller Elektronik, the Magnon CFS control system has been fundamentally redeveloped. The software is divided into three operating modes ‘Loading’, ‘Road travel’ and ‘Discharging’. Depending on the mode selected, the driver has the functions most frequently required for that particular job directly at their fingertips. Many additional automated features are also integrated into the control software to further reduce the workload on the operator. These functions can be individually switched on or off by the driver. The control terminal is also new. It is ISOBUS compatible and has a 5.7" touchscreen display. However the operator is not restricted solely to this means of accessing the menus – a bank of blister-pad buttons are arranged down the right-hand side of the display. Consequently all its functions can be operated intuitively and without having to change your grip, even with greasy, grimy fingers.

The Magnon^CFS will be exhibited at the Agritechnica 2019, hall 27, stand H 35.