50 Years of Twin Rotor™ innovation marked with advanced capacity, cleaning and harvesting technology
New Holland Agriculture today officially launched the new CR10 combine harvester in South Africa at the SSK Winter Grain Day, attended by over 350 customers. The event also celebrated 50 years of Twin Rotor™ innovation, first pioneered by New Holland in 1975, now taken to the next level with the Next Generation combine range, comprising the flagship CR11 and its companion, the CR10. Both are produced at New Holland’s Combine Centre of Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium.
The CR10 combines more power, increased grain capacity, and new cleaning and separation systems to set fresh benchmarks in throughput, grain quality, loss reduction, and operator comfort.
Power, capacity and feeding system
At its heart, the CR10 is powered by a 12,9-litre FPT Cursor 13 engine delivering 635hp, coupled with a 16 000-litre grain tank and a rapid 210 l/sec unloading rate. Cutterbar header widths from 10,6m to 15m (35–50ft) are available in fixed, flexible knife, movable knife, and draper versions. For maize, heads from 12–16 rows can be specified, while auger lengths are matched to header size.
The driveline features a variable heavy-duty configuration, with a CVT drive unit enabling precise header and feeder speed control according to crop and field conditions. Feeder/header reversing is handled hydraulically via the CVT on the variable-speed setup.
The Dynamic Feed Roll™ (DFR) system, now fully reversible together with elevator and rotors, accelerates and divides crop flow evenly into the threshing system. A hydraulically-activated stone trap ensures protection and can be emptied directly from the cab.
Extended Twin Rotor™ system
New Holland’s hallmark Twin Rotor™ technology, introduced in 1975, has been refined with two 610 mm (24in) rotors of increased diameter and length. The redesign allows more crop circulation, improved threshing, and higher separation capacity.
Each rotor integrates 40 standard rasp bars, 8 HX rasp bars, and 12 spiked rasp bars for versatile crop handling. The stepped rotor cage design, broader in the separation area with higher vanes, optimizes crop movement and improves power efficiency. Rotor vane angle is remotely adjustable, and the system aids crop ejection in reverse mode.
Lightweight concaves and grates, arranged in two sets of three threshing concaves and two sets of six separation grates, contribute to improved performance and ease of maintenance.
All-new TwinClean™ cleaning shoe
The TwinClean™ system introduces a two-stage sieve configuration, each stage with independent upper and lower sieves and dedicated clean grain augers. A large grainpan with an increased fallstep and a high-power cleaning fan provide optimal airflow.
Automatic cross-distribution mechanisms and dual pressure sensors ensure balanced load distribution across sieves, even on side slopes up to 28%. A side-shake mechanism evens material over the full cleaning width. Total sieve area is 8,8 m², significantly boosting throughput and reducing loss.
Grain management and residue handling
The CR10’s 16 000-litre tank includes cross-auger shut-off for complete unloading control, while pivoting auger spouts ensure even trailer filling.
For residue, the high hood-mounted fine-chop system processes heavy straw volumes with precision. Featuring a 500mm beater, six-row chopper with 88 flail knives and 67 counter knives, plus adjustable speed modes (900rpm/3,600rpm), the unit distributes material across the field up to 18m (60ft).
The optional IntelliSpread™ system uses radar sensors to automatically adjust spreader output, ensuring uniform distribution. Remote adjustments for counter-knives, gears, and chopper door position, plus a chopper load indicator, optimize efficiency and chop quality.
Operator environment and technology
A redesigned cab integrates dual IntelliView™ 12 monitors, providing split functionality for machine control, mapping, and guidance. Standard cameras cover the grain tank, unloading auger, and rear view, with options for 360° bird’s-eye and trailer hitch cameras.
Cab refinements include multizone climate control, premium seating, new ergonomics, integrated Bluetooth connectivity, and extended LED lighting packages. Optional 36 000-lumen far-distance lights provide 500m visibility.
Operators can remotely manage critical functions from the cab, including rotor, auger, and chopper speeds, DFR and rotor reversal, and straw chopper engagement.
Precision farming integration
The CR10 is equipped with PLM Intelligence™ packages, offering IntelliSense™ automation to balance grain quality, throughput, and loss control. The Advanced package provides extended features, while IntelliSteer™ guidance and yield/moisture mapping can be configured with different correction signals.
With IntelliField™ connectivity, multiple machines in the same field can share coverage maps, guidance lines, and boundaries in real time.
Durability, efficiency and drivetrain
The CR10 features a two-speed hydrostatic transmission with TerraLock™ differential lock, SmartTrax™ track systems in three widths (660mm, 810mm, 910mm), or wide dual 710/70 R42 and LSW tyre options for reduced soil compaction.
A Cursor 13 engine mounted longitudinally in the same direction and at the same angle as the rotors, for maximum efficiency with dual cooling fans ensures efficient airflow and noise reduction. At 1 900rpm harvest speed, fuel consumption and noise are minimized, while 1 300rpm road mode optimizes transport efficiency.
The redesigned hydraulic system with mechanical disengagement at startup and road travel saves up to 20hp (15kW). Load-sensing pumps and improved filtration enhance reliability and reduce maintenance.
