Krone has cut roughly 1 tonne from its redesigned MX forage wagon and fitted the OptiGrass cutting unit that was previously reserved for the larger RX and ZX ranges. The launch covers three models — the MX 310, MX 340 and MX 380 — with load volumes from 30m³ to 38m³.

The shift moves OptiGrass down from the contractor-grade segment into a compact, lightweight wagon class aimed at farmers who harvest their own forage. Krone product manager for transport technology Christian Dresselhaus said: "With the new MX generation, Krone is introducing the OptiGrass concept from the RX and XZ to the more compact loading and forage transport wagon class. The focus here is particularly on low drag resistance combined with optimum cutting quality to ensure the best forage results."

What's changed on the MX?

• Weight down approximately 1t versus the outgoing model, a gain for transport economy, soil protection and diesel use.
• New OptiGrass cutting unit with a 760mm integral rotor and SplitCut edge-cutter.
• OptiGrass 37 available with either 39 or 52 blades, delivering theoretical chop lengths of 37mm or 28mm.
• EasyFlow pick-up widened to 2.02m, around 20cm more than before, with a hydraulic drive that adjusts rotor speed from the cab.
• PowerBelt drive rated to 2,000Nm, sized for tractors from 130hp to 250hp.
• Redesigned ISOBUS interface with configurable automated functions.

The MX 310 stands at roughly 3.4m to the top of the body, low enough for shed feeding in buildings with restricted clearance. That low roofline also drops the centre of gravity, improving performance on slopes.

Krone has relocated the scraper conveyor chain tensioner to the rear of the wagon to free up space at the front. The conveyor now runs right up to the rotor, so the body empties cleanly.

How do the RX and ZX updates compare?

The RX (premium, contractor-focused) and ZX (high-capacity, maximum-output) wagons have received a wider package: a facelift, a new software platform and a new high-capacity job computer. Operators see a redesigned animated ISOBUS interface showing the major machine data, with automated routines that can be tailored per operator and per job.

Key mechanical changes across both:

• Pick-up working width lifted from 2.12m to 2.24m.
• Tine pattern switched from W-shape to straight, with seven tine rows instead of six, lifting crop flow and cut quality.
• New crop press roller, hydraulically adjusted from the cab so the operator can reset on entering a new field.
• Revised blade cassette with room for a second blade set, enabling in-field swaps when edges dull.
• Reinforced front-wall cylinders to step up compression and storage use.

The ZX picks up a third scraper conveyor drive level in addition to standard and rapid modes. Krone says the extra ratio cuts idle time and lifts output across the harvest chain.

What does the weight loss mean in the field?

A 1t reduction on a 30–38m³ loader wagon shifts the payload-margin calculation for farms running their own haulage. Less tare weight gives more headroom for forage per trip on roads with strict axle limits, lower soil pressure on wet silage ground, and a lighter tow load for tractors in the 130hp bracket that the MX targets. The hydraulic pick-up drive is the more practical gain — operators can now tune rotor speed to crop density on the move, instead of stopping to swap pulleys.

Why bring OptiGrass down-market?

The OptiGrass rotor with its wide steel plates and SplitCut edge system has been a differentiator on the RX and ZX. Moving it to the MX lets smaller UK and Irish operators chasing high forage quality access contractor-grade chop consistency without stepping up to a premium wagon. The decision also tightens Krone's three-tier lineup: MX for on-farm use, RX for mixed contractor work, ZX for bulk-output operations.

When can buyers get one and what should they watch next?

Krone has not yet confirmed UK or Irish pricing or build slots for the new MX, RX and ZX range in its launch material. Farmers weighing an order should ask dealers about confirmed delivery dates for the 2026-27 forage season, ISOBUS compatibility with their existing tractor terminals, and whether the second-blade-set option is fitted at build or as a retrofit. Watch for field-demonstration events through the autumn as Krone showcases the wider 2.24m pick-up and the new ZX third-speed scraper conveyor under working conditions.