Massey Ferguson is unveiling a new-generation rotary combine harvester range which promises a major step forward in performance and productivity for business-orientated farmers.
Among a host of exceptional new features, models in the IDEAL from Massey Ferguson line-up offer the biggest integral grain-tank capacity now available on the European market, the fastest unloading rate and the largest threshing area. All are focussed on delivering significant gains in efficiency and output.
The three brand-new combine models feature single and dual rotary threshing systems and include the 451hp MF IDEAL 7, 538hp MF IDEAL 8 and 647hp MF IDEAL 9 – plus ParaLevel versions.
“The IDEAL from Massey Ferguson range signals a radical new direction for our combine development,” says Adam Sherriff, Market Development Manager, Massey Ferguson Harvesting. “It included production of 45 prototypes and six years of continuous lab and global field tests. Everything about the machines is new – new design, new engineering, new features, new styling, even a brand-new livery in stunning graphite. Added to this, the 647hp MF IDEAL 9 represents a totally new market segment for Massey Ferguson.”
“Our aim was to ensure that we created real business benefits for combine owners and operators, making a positive contribution to their profitability,” he says.
The 4.84m ‘Dual Helix’ rotor fitted to the MF IDEAL 8 and MF IDEAL 9 is the longest in the industry. It provides the largest threshing area in the business, (31%* more square metres in the main concave area than the nearest competitor). At the same time, it benefits from very low power requirements and insensitivity to varying crop conditions, leading to fuel efficiency, low grain losses and gentle handling of grain and straw.
The combines feature 12,500 and 17,100 litre grain tanks. Reducing the frequency of unloading for improved efficiency, the 17,100 litre option is the largest currently available with approximately 18%* more capacity than the largest available today.
Featuring 140 and 210 l/sec unloading rates, the combine’s ‘Streamer 210’ option at 210 l/sec is the fastest available (approximately 32%* quicker than today’s highest), providing boosted in-field productivity.
For ease of use, the optional ‘Idealharvest™’ App adjusts the working combine automatically. The new AutoDock™ table hook-up saves time, promotes safety and minimises effort for the operator.
With the new ‘Idealbalance™’ grain-pan design, two profiled under-rotor collection pans result in a better and cleaner sample whatever the terrain.
As for transport width, even the largest MF IDEAL 9 with 800mm tyres or new 26-inch (660mm) inhouse-designed track option can meet a 3.3m overall width requirement. This expands the potential for width-regulated farmers.
Full connectivity is assured via the Fuse Connectivity Gateway for the seamless transfer and utilisation of harvesting data such as yield maps.
The new super-comfortable and quiet ‘Vision’ cab provides panoramic visibility and comes with a new ventilated seat, a fridge unit, extra storage and new information dashboard. The ability to move the Tech Touch terminal 90 degrees to the operator’s right further enhances visibility of the table.
For improved residue management, the new combines make it easy to incorporate chopped straw as the material is able to be spread more evenly over a wider area. The ShortCut chopper can match the full width of the header up to 12m using the unique, low power requirement ActiveSpread feature.
A limited release of Ideal from Massey Ferguson combines is scheduled for 2018 with full roll-out in 2019.
