In 1996, the VARIANT 180 from CLAAS set new standards in terms of powerful round baler technology. 30 years and numerous innovations later, the VARIANT 500 achieves a significant performance boost thanks to the new MULTIFLOW HD pick-up and impresses with a double-digit percentage increase in throughput. 

Today, CLAAS offers the most diverse range of round balers since entering the segment in 1978, covering the most varied and demanding customer requirements better than ever before:

• ROLLANT 520 RC fixed chamber baler with 14-knife cutting rotor and attractive price-performance ratio.
• ROLLANT 630 RC fixed chamber baler as an innovation with 25-knife cutting rotor, MULTIFLOW HD pick-up, PRO cutting frame and ISOBUS operation.
• ROLLANT 630 RC UNIWRAP as a powerful, compact and soil-protecting baler/wrapper combination with 25-blade cutting rotor, PRO cutting frame and MULTIFLOW HD pick-up. Film binding is available as an option instead of net binding.
• VARIANT 580/560 with variable bale chamber for bale diameters of up to 1.80 or 1.60m, with 14-blade cutting rotor, PRO cutting frame and SMART DENSITY bale pressure control.
• VARIANT 585/565 with variable bale chamber for bale diameters of up to 1.80 or 1.60 m,with 17-blade cutting rotor, PRO cutting frame and SMART DENSITY baling pressure control as well as large-volume, soil-protecting tyre equipment.
• CEREX 780 with variable bale chamber for up to 1.83 m bale diameter for a higher level in throughput, bale density and efficiency. MULTIFLOW HD pick-up, 25-knife cutting rotor and PRO cutting frame are standard

MULTIFLOW HD for significantly increased performance and efficiency. From the 2026 product year, all VARIANT 580/560 and 585/565 models will be equipped as standard with the latest generatio nof CLAAS pick-up, the CLAAS MULTIFLOW HD with a working width of 2.10 m (1.90 m DIN raking width) and five controlled tine bars. Based on more than 90 years of experience in pick-up collection technologies, it enables even lower-loss crop feeding and a noticeably more constant material flow. Thanks to the new cam track, 20 per cent less drive is required and maintenance costs are significantly reduced. Removable strippers made of robust, durable plastic guarantee quick and easy access for maintenance work. 

The 5-row MULTIFLOW HD pick-up demonstrates its outstanding pick-up quality particularly in silage applications. The strippers on the MULTIFLOW HD are also made of robust, durable plastic and the new cam track geometry significantly reduces maintenance work and costs. The HD variant also has a particularly strongpick up reel shaft with a diameter of 70 mm. 

In all VARIANT models, both MULTIFLOW pick-up varients now have a pick-up speed of 146 rpm. This increases the raking performance by 20 per cent compared to the previous model, which enables higher driving speeds and therefore a significant increase in throughput.

VARIANT in the cloud: Digital machine management with a wide range of options in CLAAS connect. 

All VARIANT round balers from CLAAS are now also networked via CLAAS connect in the app or on the web. New machines are stored directly in the customer's CLAAS connect as part of the machine handover. This gives them continuous mobile access to digital operating instructions, the lubricant guide and the CLAAS Parts Shop for ordering original CLAAS lubricants, wear and spare parts. This means that users have everything in one place-no more misplaced operating manuals and tedious searches for suitable lubricants and spare parts. This service is free of charge for VARIANT customers in CLAAS connect and is available in both the web version and the app. CLAAS connect also offers comprehensive machine and farm management functions that also support forage harvesting. The integrated bale calculator, for example, enables the required net or twine to be calculated so that the right amount is always in stock. It is also possible to calculate the net or twine costs, which makes billing easier for contractors or inter-company use.