The Kwatro Xtreme gets a makeover from Dewulf Group to offer potato farmers two extreme harvesting models.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image via the Dewulf Group
The Kwatro is a self-propelled 4-row sieving harvester that combines frontal harvesting with a traditional sieving path, hedgehog unit, cleaning modules, and all with the largest bunker on the market.
With its products available throughout the world, including the US and Canada, the family-owned Dewulf Group is a leading manufacturer of ag machines for the cultivation of potatoes and root crops. The company has three main locations—in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Romania—and offers a wide range of equipment for soil cultivation, planting, harvesting, grading, sorting, and transport of potatoes and vegetables.
Its 4-row Kwatro Xtreme model has since 2016 been known for its constriction-free sieving path and having the largest bunker in its market segment. This harvester is available for growers who plant in 4 x 90 cm, 4 x 34 inch, 4 x 36-inch rows, or 180 cm beds.
Until now, however, it has been produced with a straight hedgehog unit, immediately followed by a single Flexyclean cleaning unit.
But, Dewulf said it is changing things, as market demand calls for alternative cleaning options.
To meet market demand for an extremely potato-friendly machine, Dewulf decided to add an extra dimension to its Kwatro Xtreme–-focusing on the product flow inside the machine, which no longer has a hedgehog unit, but still offers sufficient cleaning options.
For product friendliness, the two sieving conveyors and a third, short sieving conveyor are immediately followed by the cleaning module.
Because there is no integrated hedgehog unit, there is no change in direction of the potato flow. Thus, Dewulf designed two additional variants under the name Kwatro Xtreme Flow, in which the straight hedgehog unit has been replaced with a new module.
New, longer Easyclean module
The redesigned, double Easyclean module consists of seven (4+3) active smooth cleaning rollers alternated with nine Easyclean rollers.
To perform its work as precisely and delicately as possible, the Easyclean module is divided into two groups of linked, active smooth cleaning rollers, the first having four and the second three. This brand-new, mechanical regulation system allows users to control the speed, height, opening, and direction of rotation of both groups of drive rollers separately.
Moreover, the speed of the Easyclean rollers can also be easily controlled from the cabin. In addition, the degree of cleaning can be set extremely precisely by adjusting the inclination of the module between 0 and 12 degrees. This solution is tailor-made for dry conditions with clods, for example.
Combination of axial and Easyclean modules
The second variant Dewulf offers a combination of 36 axial rollers and an Easyclean unit. The speed of the axial rollers is adjustable and, together with the inclination of the Easyclean unit, adjustable between 0 and 12 degrees. In turn, the Easyclean module is fitted with two active smooth cleaning rollers alternated with three Easyclean rollers.
Analogous to the first innovative module, the speed, height, opening, and direction of rotation of the drive rollers, and the speed of the Easyclean rollers can be adjusted from the cabin to accommodate the conditions.
This solution is suitable for customers who harvest in relatively wet conditions.
The best of the Kwatro Xtreme remains
The celebrated aspects of the Kwatro and Kwatro Xtreme have not changed—its proven concept of front-harvesting ensures that potato ridges remain undamaged.
This stable master of the field also harvests at 4 x 90 cm with no constrictions in the sieving path, a unique feature in its market segment.
The excellent sieving capacity is also paired with an unmatched 11-tonne bunker capacity.
To perform well in wet conditions, Dewulf relies on the Claas 900 mm wide crawler track system combined with a single rear wheel. This steered wheel also provides unprecedented maneuverability and low maximum ground pressure of 1.4 kg/cm². As the traction can be adjusted per track/wheel, it is almost always possible to harvest, even in the worst conditions and types of weather.
For company information, visit www.dewulfgroup.com.