Krone launches EasyFlow Plus pick-up and 7.5m XCollect maize header

Krone has added two headers to its BiG X forage harvester range: the EasyFlow Plus grass pick-up, available in 3m to 3.8m working widths, and the row-independent XCollect 750-2 maize header, which cuts a 7.5m swath but folds to just 3m for road transport.

The launches target professional contractors and large-scale operators. Krone said both headers are built to "optimise the crop flow and chop quality, while achieving maximum throughput rates, excellent wear resistance and minimal maintenance work".

For contractors running high-hour harvesting programmes, the specification points directly at downtime and wear costs — the two factors that most often decide header choice at this level.

What does the EasyFlow Plus change?

The EasyFlow Plus extends Krone's cam-track-free pick-up design. That architecture matters for operators: a cam-track-free pick-up removes one of the highest-wear, highest-maintenance components on a conventional grass pick-up.

Krone said the straight tine arrangement and rotor design "deliver consistent crop intake while minimising wear and maintenance requirements".

The working width range — 3m to 3.8m — covers both direct-cut grass harvesting and pickup from laid swaths, giving contractors a single header family for mixed forage work.

How is it built for heavy crops?

Krone has engineered the crop press roller, adjustable swath deflector and plastic scrapers to work together. The aim is high performance in heavy crops and uneven swaths, the conditions where cheaper headers lose intake consistency.

Durability measures focus on the highest-wear zones:

• Stainless steel wear plates
• A heavy-duty auger system
• A strengthened drivetrain and gearbox
• A maintenance-free overload clutch on the auger conveyor

Krone said these additions allow maximum throughputs to be achieved while ensuring a high level of operational safety.

What about maintenance and downtime?

Downtime reduction drives the service specification. The EasyFlow Plus carries an automatic chain lubrication system and an active oil pump, joined by a large reservoir so that service intervals stretch further during peak harvesting windows.

For a contractor, that translates to fewer mid-day stops on the header during the highest-value cutting days of the season.

What does the XCollect 750-2 offer maize growers?

The 7.5m row-independent maize header focuses on improved chop quality, according to Krone. Row-independence means the header is not tied to fixed row spacings, giving operators flexibility across fields drilled at different widths and in varying conditions.

The two-piece design feeds crop directly into the forage harvester. Krone said this reduces longer chop lengths and maintains consistent performance — a direct quality argument for maize and whole-crop silage, where chop consistency affects clamp compaction and feed-out.

Adjustable disc speeds allow operators to match changing crop and field conditions through the day.

How does it move between farms?

Transport is a key selling point. Despite the 7.5m working width, the header folds to just 3m for travel, which Krone said makes "road travel and movement between farms easy and safe".

An optional integrated transport chassis is available, alongside a front guard with lighting, to increase safety and convenience on public roads.

Why did Krone launch both together?

Krone said it introduced the two headers to "enhance the capability" of the BiG X range, presenting "two high-performance headers suitable for different harvesting processes on the Krone BiG X forage harvester".

The company framed the pair as complementary rather than competing: "The EasyFlow Plus has been specifically developed to harvest grass and convinces with high pick-up rates, an even crop flow and minimal maintenance requirements."

It added: "The XCollect 750-2, on the other hand, with its row-independent harvesting principle, straight crop flow and easy transportability is setting new standards when it comes to harvesting maize and whole crop silage."

Together, the launches give BiG X owners a refreshed factory header lineup covering grass, maize and whole-crop silage from one forage harvester platform. Contractors and large-scale growers should watch for UK and Irish pricing, first demonstration dates and dealer availability announcements as the machines reach the market.