CLAAS unveils four new CONVIO FLEX draper headers

The new CONVIO headers feature three belts: two side belts that converge onto the central belt. The use of belts ensures more even feeding, whatever the crop volume.

The feed roller with retractable fingers delivers maximum throughput, making the feeder housing's job easier. While the CONVIO model is mainly designed for traditional crops (cereals and rapeseed), the CONVIO FLEX version with its flexible cutterbar is ideally suited to harvesting very low-growing crops such as soybeans, peas and grass at maximum performance.

Communication between the header and the combine harvester allows most settings to be adjusted from the cab (such as AUTO BELT SPEED, belt speed proportional to forward speed) via the CEBIS for maximum operator comfort.

Designed for LEXION combine harvesters, the new headers also improve the feeding of the combine while reducing the noise perceived in the cab thanks to the belts.

CONVIO FLEX: an unprecedented level of flexibility, adjustable in the cab via the CEBIS
On the CONVIO FLEX, the header has a knife and a cutterbar with a travel of 225mm. It can therefore follow the ground profile as closely as possible for the lowest possible cut across the entire working width, without a "bulldozer" effect, even in the wettest conditions.

This flexibility is achieved through a connection between the cutterbar and the frame by several cylinders with an adjustable pressure of 40 to 160 bar, set manually or automatically depending on the mode chosen by the operator.

In standing cereals, the CONVIO FLEX can be used rigidly, with a fixed knife and cutterbar. In lodged cereals, on the other hand, the header can adapt to the ground profile at the touch of a button, making it possible to harvest every ear without any difficulty for the driver, even at large working widths.

Note that both the CONVIO FLEX and CONVIO models are also suitable for harvesting rapeseed. The optional rapeseed equipment includes right and left feed augers with a diameter of 425 mm, designed for large volumes and positioned in the upper part of the header's rear panel.

These can be adjusted via a slot for optimal adaptation to harvesting conditions. The kit also includes rapeseed knives that can be fitted and removed without tools and stored in a box specially provided for this purpose on the trailer. To minimize losses of small seeds such as rapeseed, the central belt is fitted with rubber flaps.

Intelligent, fully integrated driving aids
The CONVIO FLEX and CONVIO headers are extremely user-friendly thanks to numerous automatic functions fully integrated into the CEBIS. Besides the fact that the CONVIO can be fully adjusted from the cab (belt and reel speed), the operator can reverse the belt movement at the touch of a button on the CMOTION lever, even under full load.

The second mode reverses the movement of the reel, the central belt and the feeder housing using a switch integrated into the armrest.

AUTO CONTOUR: perfect synchronization of cutterbar flexibility with the programmed cutting height
Named AUTO CONTOUR, the automatic height control system of the CONVIO FLEX header offers four control modes:
- In cereal mode, the cutterbar and knife are rigid, and cutting height is controlled by means of partially retracted sensors.

- If cereals are lodged in different places in the field, the driver can switch from rigid to flexible at the touch of a button. The cutting height decreases automatically and the CONVIO switches to flexible mode to harvest the ears closest to the ground without digging into the soil. Once the lodged section is finished, a simple press on the CMOTION lever is enough to return to rigid mode with a standard cereal cutting height.

- In flexible mode, the cutterbar follows the contours perfectly. With a total travel of 225 mm, the CONVIO FLEX header can adapt to practically any terrain. The degree of flexibility is set from the cab by changing the pressure of the cylinders connecting the cutterbar to the frame.
- In AUTO CONTOUR FLEX mode, the cutterbar switches to FLEX mode and also works in tandem with the feeder housing height. The CONVIO will first use its 225 mm of travel (90mm upwards, 135mm downwards).

On uneven terrain, if the travel is not sufficient, the cutting height is automatically adjusted via the two feeder housing cylinders. This system (exclusive on the market) allows better tracking by the flexible cutterbar, and also by the combine harvester through the feeder housing height. The CONVIO is equipped with an indicator that allows the driver to see the position of the cutterbar at any time.

New "FLIP OVER" reels combined with the flattest belt angle on the market
The design of the new reels with new plastic fingers has also been specially developed to work as close to the ground as possible and ensure optimal crop flow in all conditions.

The "Flip Over" system effectively prevents any risk of material wrapping around the tine bars. In difficult working conditions, such as lodged crops, for example, the reel pulls the plants upwards before they are cut. This solution significantly reduces losses at the header in lodged cereals.

The reel is driven by a hydraulic system. In addition, automatic reel speed control prevents damage to the tines in the event of contact with the ground. Thanks to this assistance, the driver can always set the reel optimally for a uniform crop flow.

For more information on CLAAS CONVIO FLEX draper headers:
http://www.claas.fr/produits/moissonneuses-batteuses/outils-frontaux-2017/outils-frontaux/convio-bandschneidwerk