CLAAS Expands VOLTO Tedder Range with New HD Drivetrain Models

CLAAS is expanding its forage harvesting technology portfolio by introducing seven VOLTO and VOLTO T rotary tedders with working widths ranging from 6.60 to 10.80 meters. These machines are engineered for the agricultural sector to manage ground contour tracking and forage distribution during hay and silage production.

Drive System and Rotor Mechanics
The machines incorporate the PERMALINK HD drive system and hermetically sealed, oil-filled rotary gearboxes. The input shaft speed operates at a 50 percent increase compared to previous configurations, which reduces the torque exerted on the drive shafts. The rotor mechanism utilizes tine arms angled at 29.3 degrees behind the main axis. The crop is collected by isosceles tines measuring 9.5 millimeters in thickness, designed with five windings for stability. Spreading angles can be adjusted mechanically to 12, 16, and 18 degrees via spring-returned pivot pins. Standard models feature rotors with a 1.50-meter diameter and six tine arms, while specific configurations use a 1.70-meter diameter with seven tine arms.



The new VOLTO can be parked on its land wheels using the drawbar carrier foot, whilst the VOLTO 1100 can be parked in a ‘floating’ position with all land wheels receiving full relief by means of an additional carrier foot. As usual, the VOLTO T models feature a wide transport chassis and a low centre of gravity for safe manoeuvring and parking. All models are equipped with the integrated headland position in the folding mechanism, which eliminates the need for an additional control unit.

Frame Stability and Hydraulic Power Suspension
A trapezoidal support frame positions the center of gravity close to the tractor, lowering the required lifting force and enabling compatibility with lower-horsepower tractors. The frame consists of square tubes rotated by 45 degrees with an 8-millimeter wall thickness. A hydraulic power-flow steering unit replaces the mechanical power suspension on all three-point hitch models. This hydraulic system centers the machine during lifting and cornering, stabilizes the unit on slopes, and absorbs vibrations during road transport. The folding mechanism integrates a hydraulic headland position, allowing operation with a single double-acting hydraulic control unit for most models, while an additional single-acting unit supports optional boundary spreading guards.

Forage Management and Operational Workflows
For night swathing, models equipped with a 1000 rpm PTO drive can operate at reduced speeds, while other models utilize optional night swath gearboxes that reduce rotor speed by 33 percent to distribute crops into smaller swaths. The 10.80-meter models align with the 18-to-12 mowing method. When coordinating with 18-meter mowing widths, the tedders manage dry matter content prior to the swathing phase. For transport, the machines fold to a width of under 3.00 meters. The chassis utilizes 16-inch center-mounted wheels with L-shaped axles and reinforced bearings, and specific models feature an additional carrier foot to relieve the land wheels when parked.



The new VOLTO 1100 T – 700 models feature the globally field-proven MAX SPREAD system with tine arms angled at 29.3 degrees, ensuring high raking performance and an optimal spread pattern even with heavy, wet crop material. The new PERMALINK HD finger clutches have been adopted from the VOLTO 1300 to 1500 TS large-area tedders.

Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement

In the agricultural machinery ecosystem, rotary tedders within the 6.0 to 11.0-meter working width category are evaluated on drive coupling mechanisms and rotor gearbox maintenance requirements. Comparable machinery includes the Kuhn GF series and the Krone Vendro series. The CLAAS units utilize a drive system with finger clutches that transmit power up to 180 degrees alongside oil-filled rotary gearboxes. In comparison, Kuhn employs the DIGIDRIVE system utilizing forged steel fingers for power transmission, while Krone implements the OctoLink eight-finger clutch system with gearboxes lubricated by liquid grease. The standard integration of hydraulic power suspension on three-point hitches in the CLAAS units contrasts with mechanical stabilization systems found on the baseline versions of several competing models, which require optional upgrades for hydraulic centering.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI.

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