John Deere is introducing a new generation of fixed-chamber round balers for 2017. The F441M will be available from February in Silage Special and Multicrop versions, alongside the top-of-the-range F441R and C441R premium machines. All F441 Series models feature a wider bale chamber, up from 1.17m to 1.21m, which automatically translates into an increased bale weight, according to Deere.

Both the F441M Multicrop and Silage Special balers have been designed for medium-sized livestock farms, while the F441R and C441R premium models have been developed to meet the requirements of contractors and larger livestock farms. The Silage Special variant on the F441M adds an extra heavy-duty roller on the base of the chamber.

John Deere says the new F441M offers a more affordable solution for farmers who require a single multi-purpose baler. The baler is designed to work in all types of crop conditions, from wet to very dry. The Multicrop model features a new netwrapping system and a newly designed gate lock. In addition, the premium F441R and C441R models will now incorporate an 18th roller.

There is a choice of 2m or optional 2.2m pickups on the R models, feeding a high-capacity MaxiCut HC rotor with 13 or 25 knives. In addition to the standard 2m pickup, the M model baler now offers the 2.2m unit as a new option, as well as RotoFlow HC or MaxiCut HC 13-knife rotors.

John Deere says its product engineers focused on improving versatility and durability when redesigning the F441 Series balers. This has resulted in pickups reinforced by wear-resistant Hardox steel plates, stronger gate roll drive chains, upgraded roller material, larger bearings and improved sealing protection.

Operation improvements

On the F441R, the entire rotor has been both adapted and enlarged. It shares the rotor assembly of the larger 900 Series balers. John Deere has welded the augers directly on to the right and left of the rotor shaft. The rotor speed has been reduced from 190rpm to 140rpm, and the torque has been increased.

The company is offering the F440R with 13 or 25 pre-cutter knives. If a blockage occurs, the operator can lower the feed channel floor hydraulically from the cab using the baler’s control terminal. The specific parallel linkage means that, when dropped, the feed channel floor is lowered at the back and front. John Deere says this feature will eliminate the need to clear blockages by hand in the rotor area.

There are 17 rolls in the bale chamber that have been partially reinforced. The starter rolls are a heavy-duty design for an extra-long lifespan. The bale density and size can be set independently of each other. The rear door now has inductive sensors fitted, which the company says works more reliably than the previous contact sensors.

John Deere is also offering the CoverEdge net-wrapping system on the new F440R round balers. This requires a special net that is placed over the outer edges of the bales. The net wrapping is monitored from the cab via the control terminal. Two replacement net rolls can be taken along as standard. In addition, John Deere supplies an additional bracket to transport a third net roll.

A selection of control terminals are available for the F440R. The Baletrak Plus terminal is the standard unit with push-button control unit for every function. The Implement Display 1100 uses a colour display.

All of the baler’s functions, such as adjusting the bale diameter and density, can be adjusted and monitored using this device, including the optional central lubrication.

Simpler maintenance

For maintenance work, the single-piece side flaps open upwards and give clear access to the right and left chains. The platform above the drawbar, where the operator stands to change net rolls, has been made larger.

The ladder has also been reinforced. The chains on the F440R are automatically oiled as standard. In addition, the primary bearings are supplied with oil from the central lubrication system. John Deere has two systems available – grease cartridge that the operator has to operate manually and an automatic central lubrication system that can be programmed using the baler’s control terminal.

Updated wrapper combination

John Deere claims that the premium C441R wrapping baler combination unit features a 15% faster wrapping arm working at 40rpm. The new design also features a long transport table and extra-wide tyres.

The company believes that this means the C441R can bale up to 15% more crop per hour. This model is available with a single axle as standard or with an optional tandem axle chassis for improved stability.

The single axle can use up to 750mm tyres, important for some fields, while the tandem axle is capable of using up to 620mm. John Deere says the single-axle design on wide tyres will reduce ground pressure by 24%. The combi baler also features a clever storage solution with a fold-down door to carry five spools of wrap on the inside of the machine on either side.

It seems that John Deere is determined to claw back some of the baler market lost to the competition in recent years.