2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser – Potent, Versatile Precision-Driven
The **New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser** is a top-tier self-propelled forage harvester designed for maximum throughput, precision chopping, and adaptable crop handling. It is powered by a **FPT Cursor 13 inline-6, 12.9 L engine** rated at **503 HP (370 kW)**, with a maximum boost rating of **544 HP (400 kW)** under load.
Key Specifications & Features.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
- Engine / Power Output:
• Gross power: 503 HP (≈ 370 kW)
• Maximum power boost: 544 HP (≈ 400 kW) - Engine Configuration: Inline-6, 12.9 L displacement, with ECO Blue™ HI-eSCR emissions technology.
- Fuel / Capacity: Diesel tank ~1,200 L (317 US gal) AdBlue / DEF capacity ~200 L (52 US gal)
- Feeding / Feed roll System: Uses **Hydraulic™** feed roll drive, giving automatic control of feed roll speed to match cutterhead & load conditions.
- Crop Flow / Header Handling: Equipped with **Variflow™ system** that allows quick adjustment between grass and corn modes for optimal crop flow.
- Cutterhead / Length of Cut:
• Cutterhead width: ~900 mm (35.4 in) for many versions
• Uses dual-knife (2×8, 2×10 or 2×12 knives) configurations.
• Length of cut range: ~6–33 mm for 2×8 knives, with shorter ranges for more knife sets. - Crop Processor & Rolls:
• Roll width ~750 mm (≈ 29.5 in)
• Roll diameter ~250 mm (≈ 9.8 in)
• Tooth / differential configurations (e.g. 99/126 teeth) for kernel cracking and forage quality. - Spout & Unloading:
• Spout rotation ~210°
• Maximum spout height ~6.4 m (21 ft)
• Spout extension for wide headers: optional 10 / 12 row extension kits - Transmission / Drive:
• Hydrostatic drive is standard in many FR models
• 4-speed gearbox also used in some drive path designs. - Ground / Tires: Specifications for front / rear tire sizes vary by market; many spec back tires ~540/65 R30, front large (e.g. 710/70 R42) in some FR550 models.
- Emission / Efficiency Features: ECO mode for reduced fuel use under lower load; Power Cruise™ II to match engine and ground speed to crop load.
- Cab & Controls:
• Intel iView™ IV operator monitor, multi-function “Command Grip™” for machine controls.
• Comfortable cabin environment with low noise levels, good visibility of header and spout maneuvers.
Why the FR550 Is a Strong Forage Harvester Choice.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
- High Capacity & Horsepower Reserve: The boost to 544 HP gives extra headroom in dense or tall crops.
- Flexible Crop Handling: With Variflow™ and adjustable components, it handles both maize and grass / mixed crop conditions efficiently.
- Fine Chop & Quality Output: The ability to quickly swap knife setups and fine tune cut length helps preserve forage quality.
- Operator Ease & Efficiency: Modern control systems, automation, and comfort reduce fatigue and improve throughput.
- Strong Unloading & Flow: The wide spout, good spout height, and efficient flow path help reduce waiting and downtime during harvest.
Applications & Ideal Use Cases.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
- Silage / fodder operations in maize, grass, mixed crops, especially where high throughput is needed.
- Large scale cattle, dairy, or feedlot operations requiring efficient forage processing.
- Contract harvesting where switching between grass and corn crops is frequent.
- Operations needing precision chopping with minimal downtime.
Pre-Purchase / Inspection Checklist.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
- Check engine / usage hours, service history, especially for boost / emissions system.
- Inspect feed rolls, drive links, Hydraulic & header drive components.
- Check cutterhead, knives, sharpening mechanism, shear bar, and knife count options.
- Inspect crop processor rolls, bearings, gap control, differential teeth sets.
- Spout & unloading auger: extension function, flipper, rotation, liner wear.
- Tire condition (front / rear) – match, tread depth, sidewall integrity.
- Drive system (hydro / gearbox) under load; check for slipping or issues.
- Cab controls, monitor / display, operator comfort, joystick & Command Grip.
- Fuel / AdBlue / emissions system: filters, pipes, tanks, injector condition.
- Structural frame integrity, header mount points, safety features.
Summary Table.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
| Feature | Specification / Value |
|---|---|
| Model | New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser |
| Rated Power | 503 HP (370 kW) |
| Max Boost Power | 544 HP (400 kW) |
| Engine Type / Displacement | FPT Cursor 13, inline-6, 12.9 L |
| Fuel / AdBlue Capacity | 1,200 L / 200 L |
| Cutterhead / Knives | 900 mm width, dual knife sets (2×8, 2×10, 2×12) |
| Roll / Processor Width & Diameter | ~750 mm width, ~250 mm diameter |
| Spout Rotation / Height | 210° rotation, ~6.4 m height |
| Drive / Transmission | Hydrostatic + 4-speed gearbox combo. |
Conclusion.
2017 New Holland FR550 Forage Cruiser
The **New Holland FR550** is a powerful, feature-rich forage harvester built for serious throughput and operational flexibility. With 503 HP rated output, efficient crop handling systems, and modern operator controls, it’s well suited to demanding silage operations. Once you share your listing’s precise data (year, hours, header type, condition, attachments, asking price, location), I can produce a fully localized ~1,100-word version with FAQ + schema markup, ready to publish with near-100 % SEO optimization. Want me to put that together now? Order Here.
