Round baler suppliers are coming up with new designs every year. Their aim is a combination of more performance, versatility in terms of crop types and reliability.

Machine testing is an important part of the development and there is no better place to test a baler than here in Ireland. Some companies have done this, while others rely on testing in lighter load conditions.

Irish farmers and contractors know that for a machine to be effective here, it must be able to cope with heavy and damp bales, high output expectations and come with a high level of reliability. The established makes have proved their worth under these demanding conditions, so the new models have time to prove themselves.

He we give a summary of some of the new baler models due on the Irish market for 2014.

Claas Variant brings wider pick-up

Among the broad range of new balers produced by German firm Claas is the Variant 385-360 range of variable- chamber round balers. These are available in three different base models – Heavy Duty Roto Cut, Roto CutT and Roto Feed.

These machines can produce variable bale sizes from 0.90–1.55 x 1.20m or 0.90–1.80 x 1.20m. According to Class, the variable-chamber Claas Variant is ideal for baling hay, straw or silage of different diameters and at a higher level of compaction in comparison with fixed chamber balers.

For 2014, Variant 360, 365, 380 and 385 models will now be available with a new 2.35m wide pick-up, which Claas claims is the widest pick-up on the market for round balers. Claas claims that the wider pick-up enables the Variant series to bale wider straw and grass swaths.

Claas has also added automatic chain tensioning to the baler range. The chain lubrication oil reservoir has been enlarged from 3.0 litres to 6.3 litres. Chain oiling rate is now also adjustable and there is a central lubrication system that is available as an option on the Variant 385-360.

Claas claims to have also increased the hydraulic performance of the balers so the bale discharge is now completed within just six seconds.

This means that the process of opening and closing the tailgate without tying time is now 30% quicker than with the older models.

Among the other options for the Variant round baler range is the moisture sensor unit from the Quadrant range where the crop moisture is displayed on the Claas Communicator 2 terminal.

New F440 balers from Deere

For the 2014 season, John Deere unveiled its next-generation, fixed- chamber round baler series called the F440. Deere carried out considerable testing and evaluation of the new series here in Ireland, due to our heavy grass and high work-rate expectations.

The new line-up comprises three models – the F440M, the F440R and C440R which is a combination baler-wrapper. The higher specification F440R is likely to be the more popular machine here.

Pick-up width options are either 2m or 2.2m, similar to the unit fitted with the 900 series balers. The large diameter pick-up bands are made from stainless steel which claims better crop flow due to lower friction. These bands are claimed to be resistant to rust and additive corrosion.

A new five-tine bar pickup sees the actual pick-up speed reduced from 190rpm to 115rpm. According to John Deere the new design sees the pick-up capacity increased by 11%, while reducing vibration and wear. Deere has stuck with a cam-track design for smoother delivery of grass and cam-lever bearings have been increased in size from 40mm to 52mm.

The HC-High capacity rotor incorporates augers at the end to bring the crop in rather than individual augers. Under the HC rotor is a full-width drop.

On the F440R there is the option of a 13 or 25-knife chopper, HC13 or HC25 with the latter having a split-knife bank to allow 0, 12, 13 or 25 knife operation. Each knife has individual spring protection and knives are double-heat treated to stay sharp 1.5 times longer, according to Deere.

In the bale chamber, there are 17 power-ribbed rollers. These include two reinforced rollers and two heavy-duty rollers in load point areas to cope with the demands of wet, heavy bales. Bale density is adjustable and there is some small scope to adjust bale diameter because the tailgate is locked hydraulically. The new John Deere F440 abler is driven by a split drive system with a cast centre gearbox and left drive assembly.

New single-piece side panels provide easy service access while greasing points are centralised at grease banks.

New Holland Roll-Belt baler series

The latest change to the New Holland baler line-up sees the firm replace its BR7000 variable chamber baler series with its new Roll-Belt variable-chamber round balers. These balers are available in 1.5m and 1.8m maximum diameters (Roll-Belt 150 and 180). New Holland claims the Roll-Belt series can deliver a capacity increase of up to 20% when compared to the BR7000.

To achieve this, there is a new pick-up, new bale dual density system and an endless belt design. Externally, styling has been completely revamped with two gull-wing side panels supported by gas struts. In keeping with much of the competition, the new panel provides easy access for servicing and maintenance.

At the front of the baler is a heavy-duty 2m pick-up. Directly above the pick-up is the option of a feed assist roll while rotor options are the SuperFeed rotor on non-chopper balers and CropCutter rotor on chopper versions. New on the Roll-Belt series is a drop floor under the rotor to clear blockages, should they occur.

The bale is formed by four 273mm wide belts with a new surface which New Holland claims provides a 30% increase in drive force. The new belts are now endless, according to New Holland. A new dual hydraulic density system increases the bale density.

Standard baler control is the firms advanced Bale Command Plus II monitor while the Roll-Belt baler series is also fully Isobus-compatible for single monitor control. A wider range of tyre options will be available on the Roll-Belt baler series and they can be specified with ultra-wide 500/55/R20 tyres for soft ground conditions.

Faster pick-up from Krone

The new Krone Comprima Xtreme baler features faster pick-up, cutter and elevator speeds as well as a reinforced NovoGrip belt and slat elevator and heavier driveline components. “The Xtreme is designed for high-end contractors doing a large amount of baling where output is at a premium,” according to David Borland, sales director at Krone Irish importers Farmhand Ltd.

All balers can make bales from 4ft up to 5ft in diameter. They are all equipped with hydraulic brakes, which customers particularly appreciate in hilly terrain.

Case IH joins the baler market

The new Case IH RB 544 is a fixed-chamber round baler that is claimed to be designed for the increasingly high specification demands of large dairy farms and contractors. In addition to the standard version, Case IH offers the Silage Pack HD version, aimed at the needs of contractors and featuring tandem axles and active bale chamber control for even higher density, and the RB 544 Silage Pack.

The Silage Pack and Silage Pack HD combi-wrap balers provide the possibility to wrap with either net or film in the compression chamber. The standard model produces bales of 125cm diameter and has a 2.10m pickup which is 2.20m on the HD contractor version.

At the heart of the new RB 544 balers is a set of 18 rollers. These 200mm diameter rollers run on sealed bushings and the special surface profile of the rollers are claimed to improve contact with the crop.

Standard maintenance equipment on the RB 544 includes an automatic central lubrication system and an easy-access front body panel. The baler is controlled via a touch screen terminal similar in concept to a smartphone. All the necessary parameters are displayed and are easy to control, including bale density, PTO speed, number of wraps per bale and netting and film wrapping status.

The new Case IH variable chamber balers largely mirror those of sister firm New Holland. Case IH has introduced its new two models RB series, RB 455 and RB 465, which form bales 1.2m wide and between 0.9m and 1.5m in diameter (RB 455) or between 0.9m and 1.8m in diameter (RB 465).