SPFH F8/F9 in Aktion: Echte Erfahrungen von der Maisernte aus Frankreich

In this German-language field review, Vincent, a driver for the agricultural equipment cooperative CUMA in Saint‑Hilaire‑des‑Landes (Ille‑et‑Vilaine, France), evaluates the new Claas F 8500 forage harvester. He outlines CUMA’s scale (40 members, 700‑800 ha harvested annually, three existing harvesters: 7500 and 8600 with 10‑row headers) and then details the F 8500’s improvements. The cabin offers markedly better sound insulation, a highly comfortable seat, and an effective sun visor, making it feel like a living‑room. The exhaust/thrower has a longer reach, and the steering angle has been adjusted. The machine’s kernel processor is larger (≈240 kW, ~40 % more than older models). It is powered by a JDX14 13‑L six‑cylinder engine that runs at lower RPMs for better fuel economy, while the knife drum maintains constant speed, delivering excellent chop quality. New technologies—Active Fill Control, an Inoculant Dosing System, and AutoTrac RowSense—enhance precision and reduce operator fatigue on long days (35‑40 ha). Maintenance is simplified: quick disassembly and easy blockage removal make the harvester efficient for both high‑ and low‑yield corn. Vincent concludes the F 8500 is highly user‑friendly, ergonomically superior, and operationally more efficient than the cooperative’s previous machines.











