Crop flow.

TUCANO 500 APS HYBRID SYSTEM / 2016

Threshing system. ore pre-acceleration. APS.

Unique APS threshing system.

The distinct competitive edge of CLAAS appears well before the threshing drum. The dramatic acceleration of the crop flow from 3 m/s to 20 m/s enables a series of extremely efficient processes:

  • The pre-accelerator separates the crop
  • The crop flow is particularly even and up to 33% faster
  • Higher centrifugal forces sort considerably more grains
  • Up to 30% of all grains are already separated in the pre-separation concave directly below the accelerator, significantly reducing the load on the main concave

Thus there is a net performance increase of up to 20% with no rise in fuel consumption. APS really pays off.

  • Long threshing channel with a large grain separation area.

    In the CLAAS APS threshing unit, we have succeeded in wrapping the main concave much farther around the threshing drum than in conventional machines. No other threshing unit offers an angle of wrap of 151°. You benefit from gentle yet thorough threshing with a large concave clearance and low drum speed with reduced fuel consumption.

  • Versatile pre-separation concave.

    The pre-separation concave is designed as a MULTICROP concave so it can handle all types of crops. The ability to change the three concave segments rapidly minimises changeover times between crops and maximises efficiency and profitability.

  • Hydraulic concave adjustment.

    The concave is adjusted hydraulically from the operator's seat. This allows immediate and extremely convenient adaptation to changing harvesting conditions in the course of the day. The parallel concave control ensures that optimum threshing quality is maintained.

  • Overload protection increases daily output.

    Integrated hydraulic overload protection reliably prevents damage from foreign bodies and allows the machine to be used at full capacity without risk. The concaves are pre-tensioned hydraulically and open when pressure peaks arise. The concaves then return automatically to the set working position.

  • Optimal grain quality is purely a matter of the right settings.

    The APS system is equipped with multiple adjustment stages for optimal deawning. With the intensive threshing component and the pre-separation concave flaps, which can be engaged in just seconds via a lever on the feeder housing, APS ensures outstanding grain quality.

  • Synchronised function.

    The accelerator and threshing drum are driven by a central variator. Each change in drum speed causes a corresponding adjustment of the speed of the accelerator. An additional synchronised drive for the feed drum is available for the APS HYBRID models TUCANO 580, 570 and 560. This provides extra gentle handling of grain and straw in very dry conditions.

More safety and reliability. AUTO CROP FLOW.

Monitoring risks.

What can we do to make harvesting operations safer and more reliable? In extreme harvesting conditions, the operator needs to concentrate fully at all times in order to guarantee trouble-free operation. Often there are only a few days when grains can be harvested while at optimum quality – and it is precisely then that every minute of operation counts.

Early warning.

The speeds of the following components of the machine are monitored to provide early warning of critical peak loads:

  • APS threshing unit
  • ROTO PLUS rotor in the residual grain separation system
  • Engine

The engine speed is used as the reference value.

In the straw management area, the system detects if the straw chopper and straw blockage flap are stationary.

Matched to harvesting conditions.

The AUTO CROP FLOW function can be switched on and off in CEBIS. This allows the operator to choose whether to use the system or not. The sensitivity of the slip limits can be set at three levels to match the system optimally to the conditions in the field.

Operate at the performance limits.

The AUTO CROP FLOW function is intended to support the operator in operating the machine at its performance limits. It provides the necessary safety margin by automatically monitoring the components relevant to the crop flow and initiating the necessary measures.

APS + ROTO PLUS = APS HYBRID SYSTEM.

An impressive combination: the APS HYBRID SYSTEM.

The APS HYBRID SYSTEM – threshing technology by CLAAS – represents the combination of two outstanding technologies: the tangential APS threshing system and the extremely efficient ROTO PLUS residual grain separation system.

This powerful duo offers you unbeatable advantages:

  • The speed adjustment of the drums in the threshing system is independent of the rotor speed
  • Individual adaptation of the entire process to changing field conditions over the course of the day
  • Protective threshing with top separation performance

Only CLAAS brings both systems together in one machine, giving you a significant competitive edge over other systems.

Far superior to straw walkers.

With its effective residual grain separation system, the tenfold increase in crop flow speed between the rotor and concaves and the high centrifugal force, the TUCANO with the APS HYBRID SYSTEM offers separation qualities that differ fundamentally from straw walkers.

Take advantage of the unbeatable combination of APS + ROTO PLUS.

ROTO PLUS makes the most of your work.

The powerful, pivotal component.

The principle behind the ROTO PLUS residual grain separation system is simple but extremely effective. The impeller of the APS threshing unit concentrates the material flow of the straw and feeds it to the rotary impeller. The axial direction of rotation facilitates the development of extraordinarily high centrifugal forces which are used to separate the residual grains from the straw.

A sizeable advantage –

the high-performance rotor. Thanks to the enormous rotor diameter of 570 mm, the high centrifugal forces and the corresponding energy-saving residual grain separation are achieved even at low turning speeds.

Rotor variator for continuously variable speed adjustment.

In order to allow maximum flexibility throughout the course of the day or to enable adaptation to different crops, the rotor speed can be adjusted continuously via CEBIS across a range of 920–480 rpm. As a result, it is possible to exert a major influence on the straw quality in a matter of seconds – when the straw is to be harvested, for example. Similarly, a low speed can be used in dry conditions in order to reduce the sieve loading caused by short straw. If the machine is called on to deliver its full throughput, the rotor speed is simply increased again.

Step drive.

It is also possible for the machines to be equipped with a step drive. Eight rotor speeds can be set in this way.

Mechanical rotor flaps.

The rotor separation area can be varied to meet changing requirements by closing the first and second rotor concaves with shutters. The adjustment lever is easily accessible on the left side of the machine. It is possible to close both concaves or just the first one. This means that you can reduce the sieve loading in very dry conditions while under wet conditions you can use the large separation area for effective residual grain separation. Variable adjustment of the rotor separation area therefore ensures maximum throughput under all operating conditions.

Sixth rotor concave.

The residual grain separation system of the TUCANO 580 and 570 has been optimised to increase the throughput. An additional (sixth) concave installed under the rotor increases the separation area and so enables higher separation performance compared with the TUCANO 560 with its five rotor concaves.

TUCANO 560 / 550 with APS HYBRID SYSTEM.

The TUCANO 560 and 550 combine the performance of a 6-walker with the dimensions of a 5-walker. Equipped with 800 mm tyres, they have a transport width of less than 3.50 m, while 680 mm tyres bring them below 3.30 m. As a result, the TUCANO 560 / 550 is able to operate optimally both on the road and in the field.

More flexibility in every situation.

Harvest conditions change all the time. The threshing characteristics of grain harvested in the morning or evening differ from those of grain harvested in bright sunshine. The different varieties also have a major influence on how the grain responds to the threshing process. There are also differences in customer requirements. If the straw is to be harvested, it should be as intact as possible when it leaves the combine. The threshing and residual grain separation systems therefore need to be configured accordingly. If the straw is to be left in the field, it needs to be spread as evenly as possible across the full width of the cutterbar. The TUCANO 500 is ideally equipped to meet all these differing requirements.

  • The TUCANO handles straw very gently.

    Take long straw, for example. Thanks to the protective APS threshing system and the large 570 mm rotor diameter, the straw retains its full original structure, making it ideal for use as high-quality bedding straw. The straw quality can be further enhanced to a significant degree by reducing the rotor speed. When the chopper is switched off, the swath is layered loosely, allowing it to dry quickly and be compacted easily into firm bales.

  • Higher performance with ROTO PLUS.

    If the straw is green and tough, the residual grain separation stage can quickly become a factor which limits the system’s performance. It is precisely here that the ROTO PLUS forced separation delivers the extra performance that makes all the difference by maintaining the high throughput of the TUCANO 500. If the opposite conditions apply, the first two rotor concaves can be closed by means of shutters, thereby reducing the amount of short straw produced. This measure reduces the load on the sieves and ensures that the throughput of the TUCANO 500 is also maintained at a constant level in dry conditions.

Cleaning – clean work pays better.

Clean team.

A clean crop in the grain tank and easy adjustment of the cleaning system are priorities for every operator. To make this a reality, we optimised the cleaning system of the entire TUCANO model series in 2016 in a process which involved the modification of the both the lower sieve and its oscillation angle. The result: clean grain, less material in the returns, easy adjustment.

Visual returns monitoring from the operator's seat.

The illuminated inspection window allows the operator to monitor the returns auger from the cab. In this way, users can quickly identify the combine settings which work best for them.

Rotary or turbine fans.

  • Depending on the model, there are six or four turbines or a rotary fan to ensure a consistent, uniformly distributed air flow pressure, even with variations in the sieve loading
  • Forced air flow control prevents crop mat formation
  • Reliable air flow even at low air speeds
  • Continuously adjustable from the cab

Preparation floor.

Pre-sorting of the grains (bottom) and chaff and broken straw (top) takes place on the preparation floor. The resulting reduction in the load on the upper sieve increases the cleaning capacity. All TUCANO models have a plastic preparation floor that can be pulled out towards the front.

  • Single or double steps.
    • Two straw walker steps: TUCANO 500 and 400
    • One straw walker step: TUCANO 300
    • These significantly reduce the load on the upper sieve
    • Result in increased performance, especially in the case of dry and brittle straw
  • Electric sieve adjustment.

    Developed by CLAAS, copied by the competition – electric sieve adjustment from the cab:

    • Easy and convenient
    • No need to exit the cab
    • Immediate monitoring of results
  • 3D cleaning system.
    • Dynamic side slope levelling – active control of the upper sieve
    • Completely consistent performance on side slopes with an incline of up to 20%
    • No wear – completely maintenance-free
    • Fast, simple retrofitting
    • Ideal "hillside package" in combination with AUTO CONTOUR

AUTO SLOPE. Automatic fan control.

The easy way to make the most of any incline.

Hilly terrain calls for extra concentration on the part of the operator. This is precisely why the AUTO SLOPE function provides support for adjustment of the cleaning system. If the machine is operating uphill, the fan speed must be reduced in order to avoid grain losses from the sieve pan.

Conversely, the fan speed must be increased during downhill operation to maintain the crop flow in the cleaning system and to ensure that the grain is separated. AUTO SLOPE continuously adjusts the fan speed to the given conditions based on the fan speed preset by the operator.

How does AUTO SLOPE work?

When moving uphill:

  • Fan speed is reduced

When moving downhill:

  • Fan speed is increased

Advantages for you:

  • No wear – completely maintenance-free
  • The fan speed is adjusted automatically
  • Improved sieve pan performance through adjustment of air volume
  • Cleaning performance remains stable
  • Perfect interaction with 3D cleaning system in undulating terrain
  • Greater throughput and reduced losses on slopes

Electronic measurement of returns volume.

The fill level and composition of the returns enable conclusions to be drawn about the optimal machine settings to use. The TUCANO detects the total volume of the material in the returns.

  • Measurement is performed by a photo cell at the top end of the returns elevator
  • Returns volume and loss level are displayed immediately adjacent to each other in CEBIS

11,000 litres. More space for top quality grain.

Reserve for high throughput.

In keeping with their huge throughput capability, the TUCANO 580 and 570 are equipped with an 11,000-litre grain tank which has sufficient reserve capacity to clear or sub-divide large fields.

Impressive unloading rate.

The TUCANO model series is equipped with a turret auger and has an unloading rate of up to 105 l/s which allows the grain tank to be emptied in less than two minutes. Furthermore, the TUCANO has a large discharge height and reach. As a result, even large transport vehicles can be filled without difficulty. A corresponding range of grain tank unloading tubes for cutterbar widths up to 9.22 m is available.

Well-designed overall concept.

Many more well-thought-out details complete the overall grain tank design concept:

  • Easy grain sampling
  • High overhead discharge height
  • Ideal weight distribution
  • Good view into grain tank
  • Fast, direct unloading at up to 105 litres per second
  • Smooth surfaces in the grain tank facilitate complete emptying

Tidy work.

An automatic cover flap at the end of the grain tank unloading tube prevents grains still in the tube from leaking onto the ground. Every grain lands where it's meant to: in the transfer vehicle.

  • The QUANTIMETER measures and checks.

    The primary functions of the QUANTIMETER include throughput measurement, moisture content measurement and data display in CEBIS.

    The throughput measurement is grain-specific. The moisture content of the crop is monitored continuously and displayed upon request.

  • Continuous fill level indicator.

    During the volume measurement in the grain elevator, a photo cell records the filling of the individual paddles. The value measured is displayed continuously in CEBIS and allows the Fleet View app to be used.

PROFI CAM – everything in view.

All TUCANO models can be equipped with a PROFI CAM at the end of the grain tank unloading tube. This camera position has been chosen precisely to allow up to three processes to be monitored simultaneously from the comfort of the cab on an additional colour display:

  • Grain tank unloading tube deployed: transfer process
  • Grain tank unloading tube retracted: distribution of chopped material
  • Grain tank unloading tube retracted: rear of machine during reversing or on-road operation

Up to four cameras can be connected to the system and feed their images to the colour monitor.

CEBIS rear camera.

The image from the rear camera fitted on the rear hood is fed straight to the CEBIS screen. As soon as the TUCANO moves backwards, the image from the camera is displayed automatically.

1 Adjustable cross cutter / 2 Rotor shaft / 3 Knives / 4 Bolt-on rasp bar / 5 Adjustable stationary knife

Chopped short and spread wide: your field is clear for the next harvest. Straw management

Short chop, even distribution.

As it leaves the rotor or the straw walkers, the straw is finely chopped and spread evenly across the full working width. The debris from the sieve pan is fed to the heavy duty chaff spreader, which then distributes it evenly over the field. The spreading distance can be adjusted easily.

Electric adjustment of rotor guide plate in the TUCANO 500.

An electrically actuated guide plate in the rotor output area can be adjusted to modify the loading of the chopper and the swath profile. The crop moisture and condition of the crop are taken into account in order to ensure that the crop flow is always fed to the chopper as centrally as possible. Only in this way is it possible to achieve an even distribution of the chopped material. During swathing, the width of the swath can be influenced by the position of the rotor guide plate. If the rotor guide plate is fully retracted, the swath gets the full width for better drying of the straw as well as even loading of the following baler across the full pick-up width.

  • SPECIAL CUT.

    The SPECIAL CUT straw chopper is available for all TUCANO models as an alternative to the STANDARD CUT model. The chopper is switched on and off by a sensor-controlled electrohydraulic system as soon as the straw guide plate is operated. The SPECIAL CUT has 30% more knives: 80 for the TUCANO 570 and 580 and those with six straw walkers (450 / 440 / 340), 68 for those with five straw walkers (430 / 420 / 320) and the TUCANO 560. The streamlined housing ensures even feeding of the straw to keep power consumption low and spreading reliable. The chopped material is then fed to the ACTIVE SPREADER or the straw spreader hood.

  • Spread across the full working width: ACTIVE SPREADER.

    The larger the volume of straw and the cutting width, the more precisely and evenly the straw must be spread. The ACTIVE SPREADER by CLAAS offers you the right solution.

    The mixture of chopped material and chaff is grabbed while in motion by two counter-rotating spreading rotors, accelerated again and distributed over a total width of more than 9.3 metres. The direction of spreading can be conveniently controlled from the cab.

    Thus, the TUCANO ensures efficient straw spreading with minimal effort. Both the ACTIVE SPREADER and the SPECIAL CUT are unique in this performance class and put the TUCANO at the very top of the upper middle segment.

  • If you need a chaff spreader, you'll want the HD.

    There are many advantages:

    • Suitable for corn and grain – no changeover necessary
    • HD components for a longer service life
    • Outstanding spreading width
    • Consistent crop feed in all conditions
    • No influence on the cleaning air flow
    • Optimal ease of access to the sieve pan with folding chaff spreader

The TUCANO for rice harvesting.

Takes rice in its stride: the APS threshing unit.

As rice grains are delicate, the usual rasp bar threshing drum is replaced by a spike-tooth threshing drum to prevent them from being damaged during threshing. Additional toothed bars are bolted to the impeller (TUCANO 400) and to the feed drum (TUCANO 500). An APS threshing unit is available ex factory for the following machines: TUCANO 580, 570, 560, 450, 440 and 430. The TUCANO 300 can also be upgraded for rice harvesting by means of a conversion kit. For the APS HYBRID 570 and 560 machines, special separator concaves are also available for the rotors of the ROTO PLUS residual grain separation system. The greater spacing of the concave wires results in a significant increase in separation performance in green rice straw.

  • Built to take it – the grain collection system.

    Very large amounts of earth and dirt are also collected when harvesting rice. All components in the grain collection system are made from wear-resistant materials to prevent premature wear.

  • Wear-resistant components.
    • Returns auger
    • Returns elevator cover
    • Grain auger
    • Elevator foot with cover
    • Grain tank filler auger
    • Grain tank unloading auger
    • Auger - grain tank unloading tube
  • Robust: grain tank HD.

    The augers in the grain tank and its unloading tube are also made from wear-resistant material. Furthermore, the unloading auger in the grain tank has been modified to ensure an optimum delivery rate when handling rice grains. The rice grain tank is available for the TUCANO 580, 570, 560, 550, 450, 440 and 430.

  • Avoiding slippage.

    The TUCANO 580, 570, 450 and 440 models can be equipped with special steel track roller units. These ensure good traction, prevent the machine from sinking in deeply and are highly resilient. Without these properties, machine harvesting of rice in fields which can still be very wet would be impossible.

  • Protecting axles.

    As the more difficult harvesting conditions in rice fields make great demands on the machine, the drive axle and all the axle bearings are specially sealed and protected against moisture and the wet (TUCANO 580, 570, 560, 550, 450, 440). The underbody protection protects other important components – such as the manual transmission – against damage, dirt and increased wear.