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. Today, 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 revolutionary. 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-1990s. However, it quickly became clear that KRONE had 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 manoeuvrability for such a large machine. 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. Since the BiG Ms launch, 330 units have been sold throughout Ireland. Irish BiG M sales have, on average, represented approximately 20% of total global sales. Where the BiG M really excels compared to a triple combination is in small, irregular shaped field like we have in Ireland. A BiG M can get in, mow a 2-acre paddock and get out in the time a triple combination is just getting going.

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 sceptics.

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. 

BIG M 450: power, efficiency and precision

The BiG M 450 generation is 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. 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. 

KRONE has consistently improved the automation across its BiG M range. Modern features such as GPS steering systems, SectionControl and automatically controlled mowing functions considerably reduce the driver's workload .

Success for three decades

After 30 years, the BiG M is firmly established on an international scale. 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 mTransport width:  approx. 3.00 mTransport length:  approx. 8.45 mTransport height:  approx. 4.00 mWeight: approx. 16,000 kgWeight distribution: 64% front, 36% at rearEngine: Liebherr D946 (Tier 4 final / EU level V)Engine displacement: 12 lNominal output: approx. 330 kW/449 hp (M-Power) | approx. 260 kW/354 hp (Eco-Power