DRIVING IMPRESSION: Claas’s new 800-series Jaguars have been out in the field for over a year now and are reported to be showing their true colours. We tested a 462hp 2015-spec 850 and spoke to the users of a 455hp 850 that arrived as a pre-series machine back in 2013
Claas’s new forager policy aims to keep its Jaguar 800 and 900 models as two separate lines but bring together the overall styling, cab and controls. Indeed, the 800 and 900 look almost identical, especially from the side. That explains why our pre-series Jaguar 850, disguised as a 930, hadn’t yet been uncovered by vigilante forager spotters.
To be clear, there will be no changes to the chopping systems used on the two ranges, with Jaguar 900 models retaining the V-Max drum and the 800s their V-Classic, which uses its two sets of 10, 12 and 14 knives to achieve 12,000-16,800 cuts per minute and lengths of 3.5-15mm and 5-21mm.
Large, single-piece side panels and a rear door give good access to all the main service points, and the rear mudguards are simple to remove for more serious maintenance and repair work. More than this, the right side panel folds all the way round — a particular boon when carrying out major repairs and for dropping the corn cracker in and out.
Swung wide open, the panel gives nearly unobstructed access to the kernel processor and accelerator/blower, which has also been modified to make removing the cracker more straightforward. That said, we’re not sure how many operators will follow the official guidelines of removing a wheel
and various panels to get the cracker out — there are quicker ways involving telehandlers, over-size pallet forks and plenty of manpower.
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