30 years of KRONE BiG M – The world’s first self-propelled mower conditioner is celebrating a special anniversary

The KRONE BiG M has shaped the professional forage harvest sector for 30 years. When KRONE presented the world’s first self-propelled mower conditioner in 1996, the company had developed a completely new class of machine. Nowadays, the BiG M stands for high acreage outputs, excellent forage quality and maximum efficiency all around the world. 

When the BiG M was launched, it was already a hot topic. With a working width of nine metres and designed as a high-capacity self-propelled mower, the concept was entirely new to most of the industry in the mid-1990. However, it quickly became apparent that KRONE had definitely hit the nail on the head with this idea. From the outset, contractors not only appreciated the enormous acreage output and its approval for road use at 40 km/h, but also the consistently high forage quality it delivered. The simultaneous mowing and intensive conditioning ensured the drying process could be completed quickly and evenly – a decisive factor for ensuring high-quality forage.

In Ireland, the BiG M quickly found a strong following among agricultural contractors, where tight weather windows and the importance of high-quality silage place huge demands on machinery. Its ability to cover large acreages in a short time, often across fragmented fields and under unpredictable conditions, has made it a valuable asset in supporting the country’s grass-based livestock systems.

The BiG M’s outstanding performance was demonstrated in 1999 during a 24-hour endurance test, where it mowed 315.1 hectares of grassland at an average rate of 15.2 hectares per hour. A record which has not been beaten to this day, and was even recorded in the Guinness World Records, thus convincing even the last remaining skeptics.

Further technical development over generations

KRONE continued to develop the BiG M over the following years with new and improved models such as the BiG M II, BiG M 500, BiG M 400, 420 and 450 all being released to great success. Efficiency, user comfort and versatility have gradually become just as important as reliability during hard, everyday harvesting. Core design features have been retained in all of the generations, including a balanced weight distribution, rear-wheel steering and an excellent view of all three mowers. These features proved to be a clear advantage in comparison to standard tractor combinations when working on small and hilly grasslands. As a result, the BiG M has established a strong reputation within the industry as a dependable, high-output machine that operators can rely on when it matters most.

 

BIG M 450: power, efficiency and precision

The BiG M 450 generation is extremely powerful, with a 449 hp engine and an infinitely variable hydraulic all-wheel drive, it is capable of achieving an acreage output of up to 17 hectares per hour. The machine has a working width of 9.9 metres, while the CR version(designed for the US market) has a width of 11.2 metres. A range of crop conditioning systems is available, including a tine conditioner for grass crops and a roller conditioner for more delicate swards such as clover. Both variants ensure intense processing, while simultaneously protecting the forage.

The optional BiG‑Swath system further increases efficiency by placing the crop from both of the outside mowers directly on to the swath of the front mounted mower. Mowing, conditioning and swathing can thus be completed in one work process – a particular advantage for short harvesting seasons. Alternatively, the BiG M can also be equipped with mulchers providing additional versality and allowing operators to make greater use of the machine throughout the season.

KRONE has consistently improved the automation across its BiG M range. Modern features such as GPS‑protected steering systems, SectionControl and automatically controlled mowing functions considerably reduce the driver’s workload and ensure processes are completed accurately. These systems play a key role in maintaining efficiency and high forage quality, particularly in small and tight shaped fields or during long harvesting periods.

Success for three decades

After 30 years, the BiG M is firmly established on an international scale. In addition to Germany and the USA, Ireland and the Netherlands rank among its most important markets, reflecting its strong uptake in grass based farming. Other key regions include mainland Europe, Japan and Israel. To date, the BiG M is the only self-propelled mower conditioner in this performance class that is mass produced. The anniversary therefore not only marks the history of a successful machine, but is also celebrating a technical approach that redefined forage harvesting around the world and which will also continue to be developed in future.

Quick overview:

• 30 years of innovation: Launched in 1996, the BiG M was the first self-propelled mower conditioner in the world creating its very own class of machine.
• Superb efficiency: The first BiG M impressed with a working width of 9 m, road travel speed of 40 km/h and excellent forage quality achieved by mowing and conditioning at the same time.
• Record performance: In 1999, the BiG M set a Guinness World Record by mowing 315.1 ha in 24 hours.
• Continuous development: With a variety of generations (including BiG M II, 500, 400, 420, 450), KRONE is continuously increasing efficiency, comfort and versatility.
• Current BiG M 450 model: 9.9 m (to 11.2 m in CR version), 449 hp, acreage output of up to 17 ha/h, optional CV or CR conditioner.
• Flexible applications: Optional use of mulchers and the BiG-Swath system for swath merging ensure high levels of efficiency and a wide range of operational applications.
• Comfort & precision: Assistance systems, such as GPS Guidance, SectionControl and automated mower adaptations increase user comfort, precision and productivity.
• Global importance: To date, the BiG M is the only self-propelled mower conditioner in its performance class, that is mass produced and is in high demand internationally (in Europe, particularly Germany and Ireland, the USA and Japan).

 

Technical data:

Working width:  approx. 9.90 m
Transport width:  approx. 3.00 m
Transport length:  approx. 8.45 m
Transport height:  approx. 4.00 m
Weight: approx. 16,000 kg
Weight distribution: 64% front, 36% at rear
Engine: Liebherr D946 (Tier 4 final / EU level V)
Engine displacement: 12 l
Nominal output: approx. 330 kW/449 hp (M-Power) | approx. 260 kW/354 hp (Eco-Power

 

Pic 1: An original BiG M I in action

Pic 2: A BiG M II from 2007

Pic 3: Evolution of the BiG M

Pic 4: Krones Newest BiG M 450