Despite last year’s difficult harvesting conditions, analysis of the Telematics data showed that many Lexion 600s using 10.5m cutterbars consistently achieved average throughputs in excess of 60t/hr with peaks of more than 100t/hr.

As on the smaller V1050, the new V1200 cutterbar features a split reel and auger, supported on a central bearing. However, due to the width of the new cutterbar, the flexible knife bar has also been split. In place of the belt drive used on smaller cutterbars, the knives on the V1200 are powered by dual synchronised gear drives on each side of the cutterbar. This ensures operational quietness and requires minimal maintenance. In addition, the cutting frequency has been increased from 1,120 strokes/minute to 1,334 strokes/minute.

As on all other Vario cutterbars, the distance between the knife and the intake auger can be varied from 48cm to 78cm while on the move, which can help improve crop flow by up to 10%, and the new mechanical drive system incorporates telescopic shafts to accommodate this. For oilseed rape, by using infill plates and a longer drive shaft, the distance can be further extended to 108cm.

The intake auger itself has also been enlarged to 660mm diameter (580mm on the Vario V1050) for greater stability and to provide greater uniformity of the increased crop matter being handled.

The reel runs on patented polymer shaft bearings and features crescent shaped reel tine arms designed to eliminate crop wrapping and so reduce harvest losses.

The cutterbar is designed so that oilseed rape side-knives can be quickly and easily mounted, and is equipped with a hydraulic pump with quick release couplings at each end of the cutterbar. The V1200 also comes as standard with twin foldable Laser Pilot units and folding crop dividers.

To ensure easy and quick movement between fields, the V1200 is transported on a new design of trailer that features equal width axles that allow it to be towed at speeds of up to 40km/hr. The trailer is also fitted with a secure storage box that is sufficiently large to accommodate both the oilseed rape filler plates and side knives.