The big talking point of the latest version of the Evo 280 two-row potato bunker-harvester is the MultiCrop intake. Grimme says that the new fast changing system enables different pick-ups to be changed in under five minutes.
The German manufacturer’s answer to requests from customers with both potatoes and onions, the interchangeable system allows them to quickly swap between attachments for both crops. We saw the system in action this week at a press event, a short drive north from Grimme HQ in Damme. The manufacturer’s claim of being able to change pick-ups in under five minutes is when they are parked within close proximity and on concrete. Lowering the potato unit in the field was not a problem, but it took a bit longer for the driver to hook up the attachment to lift windrowed onions, which was at a bit of an angle.
What we can confirm is that changing between the different units is easy. The operator has to get out of the cab to disconnect the electric and oil supply interface and release the locking lever (no tools required) securing the unit to the front frame, but from then on, though, everything is done from inside the cab.
With the intake lowered to the ground, the tractor driver reversed away from it and drove to the next attachment. The manual lever was then locked and electric/hydraulic supplies reconnected.
Suitable for all known intakes to harvest crops in ridges, beds or windrows (digital interface adapts to the intake being used), the Evo 280 with MultiCrop intake will be available in limited numbers in 2025.
We did not see it in action, but an interchangeable system is now also available for the 280’s third separator, enabling the harvester to quickly swap between the ClodSep and EasySep to suit different crops and conditions.
Replaced using an optional exchangeable frame, the changeover is said to take two people (with a loader or telehandler) around 30 minutes. The software for each system is changed from the cab.
Speedtronic-Cruise is also worth a mention. A new option for tractors which are prepared for Tractor Implement Management (TIM), it uses various parameters to adjust the forward speed of the tractor to achieve the optimum balance between throughput and crop protection. Grimme says the system makes life much easier for the operator.
Other news for next season’s machines includes the picking platform on the right-hand side of the machine, which can now be extended as standard. Customers can also choose between the short, wide or the long, narrow trash conveyor, which allows two people to pick final clods/stones.
Hydraulic drive for Grimme Evo 280 – Profi
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