New Holland Opti-Speed adjustment system varies shaker PTO speed according to slope and crop being harvested

A straw walker combine harvester causes heavy grain losses on hilly fields because the flow of the crop over the straw walker is disturbed, resulting in grain losses when going uphill or downhill. In addition, harvested crops such as maize require an adjustment of the shaking frequency, since their conveying characteristics differ from those of cereal straw.

The Opti-Speed adjustment system from New Holland varies the speed of the straw walker PTO according to the slope and the crop being harvested. When going uphill the speed is reduced, and when going downhill it is increased. In both cases this gives a crop layer thickness comparable to harvesting on flat ground and, logically, this means a reduction in grain losses compared with a fixed straw walker PTO speed.

Moreover, when the combine harvester setting for another crop is selected in the information system, the straw walker PTO speed is then loaded according to the crop to be harvested.

This adaptation and this technique of adjusting the straw walker PTO speed according to operating and harvesting conditions is being implemented for the first time and should therefore be seen as a significant development in straw walker combine harvesters.