High performance meets digital intelligence
The new SCHUMACHER ProDrive knife drives
for combine harvesters
- also available with sensors
The new generation of ProDrive knife drives for combine harvesters has been specifically designed for extreme loads, delivering maximum runtime with minimal wear. The proven planetary drive converts rotational torque almost loss-free into a perfectly linear knife movement. The new SCHUMACHER drive portfolio offers the optimal drive configuration for every cutting system. The ProDrive Premium Smart completes the portfolio, combining the new technical features with intelligent sensors for greater control, safety, and performance in the field.
ProDrive Premium Smart
Developed for maximum load
The new ProDrive knife drives are more robust than ever before. This makes them ideal for use with high torques and extreme operating conditions of the combine harvester.
Longer service life as standard
Optimized gearing and reinforced bearings ensure significantly reduced wear and up to 50 % more mileage.
More control thanks to smart sensors
The ProDrive Premium Smart provides real-time data on machine performance and ensures greater safety, efficiency and transparency.
Intelligent networking for better harvesting results
The sensor technology enables and supports autonomous driving speed control and provides important parameters for optimizing throughput control, collision monitoring and maintenance planning to support the machine and driver.
Performance peaks, failures & lack of transparency
Typical weak points in conventional knife drives for combine harvesters
Even the best combine harvester relies on the knife drive and cutting system working perfectly. Conventional technology reaches its limits, especially under high loads or when visibility of wear and system conditions is poor.
No information on load and condition
Standard drives do not provide any information on load peaks, heavy loads or collisions with foreign objects. Unplanned failures are the result.
No support for modern control systems
Without sensors, important real-time data for the combine harvester and the driver is missing. Efficient support for optimizing threshing and speed control is not possible with standard knife drives without sensors. Performance reserves cannot be fully utilized.
Unplanned maintenance and low efficiency
If the drive or the cutting system unexpectedly breaks down or does not run optimally, this costs time, money and nerves.
The new SCHUMACHER drive portfolio offers the optimum drive configuration for every cutting system.
ProDrive
Premium Smart
Precision meets intelligence.
A high-performance drive with sensors for transmitting real-time data.
ProDrive
Premium
High reliability and increased service life are standard features of the new premium knife drives.
ProDrive
Compact
This compact and lightweight drive version was specially developed for smaller cutterbar widths with lower power requirements.
ProDrive
Select
It expands the drive portfolio of the ProDrive family with a stroke of 99 mm for other standard cutting systems.
Planetary drive with straight-line power transmission
The ProDrive knife drive uses the principle of planetary gearing for optimum conversion from rotary to linear motion. This ensures a constant, straight knife stroke without loss of power and makes it ideal for precise cuts and high area output.
Robust design for maximum load capacity
Reinforced bearings, optimized contact surfaces and the elimination of mechanical joints make the new ProDrive drive significantly more resistant. This is particularly evident during peak loads, high throughput and contact with foreign objects.
Significantly extended service life
Targeted design improvements give the ProDrive knife drive up to 50% longer lifespan than the previous generation ProDrive module under identical operating conditions. A real advantage in intensive harvesting phases with the combine harvester.
Splines for high torques
The new gearing technology improves power transmission, particularly in powerful applications with high torque. This increases system stability and reduces wear.
Sensor technology analyzes cutting parameters in real time
Early warning system & wear detection
Load peaks or overloads are detected directly and transmitted to the system. This protects against sudden failures and enables early, predictable maintenance of the cutting system and knife drive on the combine harvester.
Optimization of overall performance and crop flow
The sensor system helps to analyze and control the crop flow during harvesting. This leads to a more homogeneous throughput and optimizes threshing quality. The driver and machine work more efficiently as a team. Important parameters are made available to the machine control system via a data interface.
Data-based farm management
The collected sensor data provides additional information on soil conditions. This can be transferred to a field index, for example, and used for downstream work steps such as straw harvesting or tillage.
ProDrive Compact
The ProDrive Compact was specially developed for smaller cutterbar widths with lower performance requirements. Its compact and lightweight design ensures high efficiency in its performance segment.
Thanks to the identical hole pattern, the ProDrive Compact is fully compatible with the variants of the new ProDrive Premium drives as well as with the tried-and-tested predecessor ProDrive Module. This enables maximum flexibility and easy retrofitting.
ProDrive Select
With the new ProDrive Select, we are adding a high-performance variant to the successful ProDrive family. Based on the proven performance parameters of the ProDrive Premium and equipped with the innovative EasyConnect head bearing connection, it offers maximum reliability and flexibility. Thanks to a stroke of 99 mm, the ProDrive Select opens up new application possibilities and is optimally matched to standard cutting systems on the market.
Switch now to the new ProDrive PREMIUM knife drive for combine harvesters: mechanically optimized or smartly networked.
Contact us for more information
Service
Competent and reliable also after the purchase
Whether you opt for a ProDrive planetary drive from the Premium Smart, Premium, Compact and Select series, we will not leave you on your own even after you have purchased a knife drive. Spare parts are available reliably and internationally, and our technical contacts are on hand to answer any questions you may have about application, integration or maintenance.
We support you in optimally integrating the knife drive into your combine harvester.
Service hotline: +49 (0)2681 8009-1000
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the ProDrive knife drive for combine harvesters
What is the difference between ProDrive Premium and Premium Smart?
Both variants are based on the robust planetary drive system. The ProDrive Premium Smart also has integrated sensors that provide real-time data on load, wear and crop flow.
Is the ProDrive knife drive compatible with my combine harvester?
Yes, the new ProDrive knife drives from the Premium Smart, Premium and Compact series have the same mounting dimensions as the previous generation of ProDrive modules and are therefore 100% compatible. An optimum solution for integration in the OEM sector as well as for retrofitting existing cutterbars.
How long is the service life of the new generation compared to its predecessor?
The new generation offers up to 50 % longer service life under comparable operating conditions. This is thanks to optimized gearing, the use of high-quality materials and bearings as well as the technically robust design.
What advantages does the sensor technology in the ProDrive Premium Smart offer?
The sensor system detects load peaks, foreign objects and overload situations in real time, reduces wear and enables predictive maintenance. In addition, data can be used for the field index and subsequent processes.
How quickly are spare parts available?
Spare parts are available reliably and internationally through our agricultural dealers and customer service.