10th November 2001
News
10th November 2001
News |
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 TECHNOLOGY News | Tractors | Machinery | Motoring
MF upgrades big baler By Jim Breen
This package of significant improvements will further increase the performance and reliability of the MF 185 baler, says the manufacturer. Bale dimensions remain the same at 80cm wide, 88cm high and up to 2.50m long. These improvements include: an integral knotter fan option; a heavier frame and single-piece hinge-up side panels. New models for 2002 will also incorporate dual cam-track pick-ups; enough capacity for 20 twine balls; quick-load Autolube systems and 600/50-22.5 tyres. The new integral knotter fan kit is also an option on all new MF 185 Series II balers and, according to Massey Ferguson, ensures trouble-free knotter performance. This "industry-leading" knotter blower supplies a continuous 145kph (90mph) air blast keeping the area clear of debris, even clearing out material pushed into the knotter by the needles. At the front of the baler, the new reversible drawbar provides a wide choice of mounting positions to suit all tractors. This new configuration also increases the clearance between the pick-up and chamber, facilitating improved crop flow. The new, stronger pick-up with a dual cam track is fitted with a centre bulkhead and larger bearings. This “heavy-duty” unit is claimed to provide for “trouble-free” operation and to extend tine life. Stronger components MF Engineers have strengthened or uprated a wide range of components on the MF 185 Series II balers. These include heavier-duty main frames and gearbox mountings; an uprated packer and pick-up and stiffer drive chains with polyethylene guides; and a new square rod stuffer arm is now fitted to a stronger support bracket mounted in a larger bearing. Practical, new one-piece, top hinged side guards lift clear of both sides and prevent crop build-up, improve service access and reduce cleaning time, says Massey Ferguson. Twine is now stored in sealed boxes. And servicing is improved through the use of a simple “quick-load” Autolube system which can be filled with a whole tube of grease in one shot. The aforementioned 600/50-22.5 tyres, fitted to a stronger axle with uprated spindles, are now standard. As well as providing increased flotation, this size of replacement tyre is more readily available in Europe. MF 187: new chopper option added Larger MF 187 big balers now come with the option of a factory installed chopper which allows users to make higher density bales. Chopped silage bales are more easily handled by complete diet feeder wagons, and the shorter chopped material improves the food conversion ratio in livestock, says Massey Ferguson. Tested during the past three seasons in Europe and the USA, the new cutter option provides three set chop lengths of 48mm, 96mm or 156mm. These are selected by simply inserting a rod into one of three positions in the knife bed. Operators can also manually select their own knife combinations, thus providing maximum flexibility. A large diameter chopper rotor is fitted between the pick-up and packer and is powered by a 'heavy-duty' driveline with slip clutch protection. The rotor pulls the crop through the knives, with a rotor lobe passing either side of each knife, to ensure positive cutting. The knife bed is operated hydraulically, providing access to adjust chop length or to replace knives. |
Copyright © : The Irish Farmers Journal 2001 |
The MF 185 Series II is the first baler from AGCO's Hesston, Kansas factory to benefit from a complete upgrade since AGCO (Massey Ferguson's parent company) took control of the facility in May of last year.