Based just west of the Golden Vale in Shanagolden, Co Limerick, Pat Culhane runs a contracting business, Ballyneety Agri, alongside a suckler-to-beef enterprise. Round baling accounts for a large proportion of the contracting service pat provides.
Up until 2018 Pat was running two McHale Fusion balers, a Fusion 1 and a Fusion 3. Having felt it was time to upgrade the older Fusion 1 baler, he wanted to move away from McHale and see what other brands were offering in a combi baler wrapper at the time.
Having seen other balers working, the John Deere C441R baler wrapper stood out to Pat. He was impressed with the baler’s capability from front to back.
Tail swing can be an issue with the baler during transport.
“I couldn’t fault the John Deere from any angle. Its ability to take in grass of all kinds stood out as this was a common problem I was having, especially picking up young grass or lumpy swaths that had been tedded. Then from a dealer perspective, John Deere was one of the only other brands within a half an hour of me. I wanted to buy a baler locally and be confident in good backup being provided.”
So Pat opted for the C441R, with the inclusion of a two-year warranty which played a major factor in his decision. He noted that the John Deere was no cheaper than other brands, but the difference was when comparing the machines.
“The John Deere seemed really well put together and came with a higher level of spec. Although more pricey than some competitors, I felt there was a lot being offered for the money and not to forget a two-year warranty.”
Pickup reel and rotor
The C441R is fitted with a 2.2m cam track pickup with five rows of tine bars, 6mm tines and stainless steel bands. Pat noted that to date he hasn’t replaced any tines which he reckons is down to the baler’s balance and the way in which the pickup follows the ground.
Grass transfers from the pickup to the rotor well due to their proximity, eliminating the likelihood of short grass gathering in between, Pat noted.
“In lumpy, heavy crops that have been tedded out and raked, the Deere just swallows them up, you don’t have to slow right down.”
Its MaxiCut HC 25 rotor is equipped with Hardox tines boasting greater durability and an increased lifespan. Up to 25 knives can be fitted in configurations of either 0, 12, 13, or 25, providing a theoretical chop length between 40mm and 80mm.
The capacity of the chopping unit allows Pat to alternate between the two knife banks daily, therefore achieving longer sharpening intervals.
Each knife is spring-loaded for protection in the event of an unwanted object coming into contact. Another feature Pat likes is that the pickup wheels remain within the baler’s overall width and therefore can be left on during transport, saving time in each field.
Pat outlined how the C441R has a full-width drop floor unlike many competitors where only the central grass channel drops. This leaves the baler more capable of dealing with a blockage, especially if it’s on either side of the reel.
Bale chamber
The C441R’s bale chamber is fitted with 18 rollers, each with 12 ribs. The bottom four load-carrying rollers are heavy-duty rollers and are mounted on 55mm bearings as opposed to 50mm bearings which the rest are mounted on. Bearings are easily removed from the side of the baler if ever the case may arise.
Pat noted how bale size can be varied from 1.25m to 1.35m using the control screen, a feature he feels is somewhat unnecessary. Baling alongside the Fusion, he noted how the chamber is quicker filled on the John Deere given the intake ability of the pickup, therefore allowing faster forward speeds.
For the most part, all first-cut grass is tedded out and raked into 20ft rows, which at times he noted poses its own challenges. Lumpy and uneven swaths leave consistent well-shaped bales harder to make.
All of the baler's functions and settings can be changed from the cab.
“I don’t know what it is but the John Deere seems to be able to feed lumpy uneven grass better into the chamber, leaving the chances of making a rugby ball-shaped bale a lot less likely.”
Pat is a fan of the enclosed netting system for the fact dirt and debris cannot get caught in the net roll and rip it.
Bale transfer and wrapper
When the bale is formed, the wrapping table moves into its loading position to catch the bale before the chain drive system moves the table at an inclination up into its wrapping position.
“Bale transfer is smooth. You don’t feel that sudden thump that you typically would with the Fusion. But to be fair, the compactness of McHale’s transfer system leaves for an overall shorter machine.”
Pat noted that often when baling young or freshly reseeded grass, it can stick around the four steel rollers that hold the bale in place on the wrapping table before having to eventually get out and remove it.
Pat likes the wrapper itself. He commented on its sturdy construction. The twin wrapping satellites rotate at a speed of 40rpm. The horizontal satellite design eliminates short grass falling down between the two metal rollers on each wrap dispenser, an issue that occurs now and again with his Fusion given its vertically rotating wrapping ring.
Rear wrap storage holder folds down cleverly for easy access at ground level.
The C441R’s rear side panels fold down hydraulically with the press of a button, allowing for easy loading of bale wrap at a low height. Five rolls can be carried on each side. Pat noted how this feature along with all wrapper functions can be manually controlled using the switch pad on the baler’s mudguard.
The baler can be fitted with up to 25 knives in configurations of 0,12,13 or 25.
Design and control
Overall, Pat feels the baler has been well built with a good degree of strength. He says the tandem axle configuration leaves the baler easier to pull and less bouncy. The C441R is fitted with 500/45 R22.5 tyres, which he says allow the baler to travel well across ground although turning tight may often cause slight scrubbing given the nature of the tandem axle. Although the Fusion baler weighs over 1,000kg lighter, Pat noted that the addition of a tandem axle balances out the weight difference and that there isn’t much between the two machines’ ability to travel in wet conditions.
The baler is fitted with a 1,000rpm gearbox supplying power throughout the machine. A Beka-Max auto greaser looks after the majority of daily greasing, even the tandem axle’s bogie.
Pat operates the baler using Isobus paired up with his John Deere 6155R, which he says works well. All the baler’s functions and settings including bale density and size can be changed through the relevant control screens.
“Initially it takes more time to get to grips with the John Deere control system and learn its ins and outs compared to the Fusion 3. Screens are well laid out and I like how it works having got used to it although I feel some aspects could be simplified.”
Verdict
After 30,000 bales, the C441R has gone well for Pat. He noted a few teething issues occurred at the start in relation to back door pressure which John Deere quickly rectified. Since then the baler has performed well with little or no maintenance costs.
“If I was going out to do a day’s baling and the two balers were in the yard, I’d take the John Deere without doubt. Everything from grass intake to bale density and the chop quality – I or my customers cannot fault it.”
“I like the ease of replacing net or wrap. Everything is accessible from ground level. If I was upgrading in the morning I would find it hard to move away from John Deere.”
Likes
Intake capacity in all conditions.Pickup wheels do not need to be removed.Low overall height leaves the wrapper visible from the cab.Dislikes
Some aspects of the control system could be simplified.Grass sticking to the wrapper’s bale position rollers.Tail swing.Spec
Weight: 6,800kg.
Tyres: 500/45 R22.5.
Knives: 25 (0-12-13-25).
Pickup 2.2m, five-tine bar with cam track.
Length: 7m (22ft 12in).
Width: 3.3m (10ft 10in).
Price: €68,500 plus VAT.
Based just west of the Golden Vale in Shanagolden, Co Limerick, Pat Culhane runs a contracting business, Ballyneety Agri, alongside a suckler-to-beef enterprise. Round baling accounts for a large proportion of the contracting service pat provides.
Up until 2018 Pat was running two McHale Fusion balers, a Fusion 1 and a Fusion 3. Having felt it was time to upgrade the older Fusion 1 baler, he wanted to move away from McHale and see what other brands were offering in a combi baler wrapper at the time.
Having seen other balers working, the John Deere C441R baler wrapper stood out to Pat. He was impressed with the baler’s capability from front to back.
Tail swing can be an issue with the baler during transport.
“I couldn’t fault the John Deere from any angle. Its ability to take in grass of all kinds stood out as this was a common problem I was having, especially picking up young grass or lumpy swaths that had been tedded. Then from a dealer perspective, John Deere was one of the only other brands within a half an hour of me. I wanted to buy a baler locally and be confident in good backup being provided.”
So Pat opted for the C441R, with the inclusion of a two-year warranty which played a major factor in his decision. He noted that the John Deere was no cheaper than other brands, but the difference was when comparing the machines.
“The John Deere seemed really well put together and came with a higher level of spec. Although more pricey than some competitors, I felt there was a lot being offered for the money and not to forget a two-year warranty.”
Pickup reel and rotor
The C441R is fitted with a 2.2m cam track pickup with five rows of tine bars, 6mm tines and stainless steel bands. Pat noted that to date he hasn’t replaced any tines which he reckons is down to the baler’s balance and the way in which the pickup follows the ground.
Grass transfers from the pickup to the rotor well due to their proximity, eliminating the likelihood of short grass gathering in between, Pat noted.
“In lumpy, heavy crops that have been tedded out and raked, the Deere just swallows them up, you don’t have to slow right down.”
Its MaxiCut HC 25 rotor is equipped with Hardox tines boasting greater durability and an increased lifespan. Up to 25 knives can be fitted in configurations of either 0, 12, 13, or 25, providing a theoretical chop length between 40mm and 80mm.
The capacity of the chopping unit allows Pat to alternate between the two knife banks daily, therefore achieving longer sharpening intervals.
Each knife is spring-loaded for protection in the event of an unwanted object coming into contact. Another feature Pat likes is that the pickup wheels remain within the baler’s overall width and therefore can be left on during transport, saving time in each field.
Pat outlined how the C441R has a full-width drop floor unlike many competitors where only the central grass channel drops. This leaves the baler more capable of dealing with a blockage, especially if it’s on either side of the reel.
Bale chamber
The C441R’s bale chamber is fitted with 18 rollers, each with 12 ribs. The bottom four load-carrying rollers are heavy-duty rollers and are mounted on 55mm bearings as opposed to 50mm bearings which the rest are mounted on. Bearings are easily removed from the side of the baler if ever the case may arise.
Pat noted how bale size can be varied from 1.25m to 1.35m using the control screen, a feature he feels is somewhat unnecessary. Baling alongside the Fusion, he noted how the chamber is quicker filled on the John Deere given the intake ability of the pickup, therefore allowing faster forward speeds.
For the most part, all first-cut grass is tedded out and raked into 20ft rows, which at times he noted poses its own challenges. Lumpy and uneven swaths leave consistent well-shaped bales harder to make.
All of the baler's functions and settings can be changed from the cab.
“I don’t know what it is but the John Deere seems to be able to feed lumpy uneven grass better into the chamber, leaving the chances of making a rugby ball-shaped bale a lot less likely.”
Pat is a fan of the enclosed netting system for the fact dirt and debris cannot get caught in the net roll and rip it.
Bale transfer and wrapper
When the bale is formed, the wrapping table moves into its loading position to catch the bale before the chain drive system moves the table at an inclination up into its wrapping position.
“Bale transfer is smooth. You don’t feel that sudden thump that you typically would with the Fusion. But to be fair, the compactness of McHale’s transfer system leaves for an overall shorter machine.”
Pat noted that often when baling young or freshly reseeded grass, it can stick around the four steel rollers that hold the bale in place on the wrapping table before having to eventually get out and remove it.
Pat likes the wrapper itself. He commented on its sturdy construction. The twin wrapping satellites rotate at a speed of 40rpm. The horizontal satellite design eliminates short grass falling down between the two metal rollers on each wrap dispenser, an issue that occurs now and again with his Fusion given its vertically rotating wrapping ring.
Rear wrap storage holder folds down cleverly for easy access at ground level.
The C441R’s rear side panels fold down hydraulically with the press of a button, allowing for easy loading of bale wrap at a low height. Five rolls can be carried on each side. Pat noted how this feature along with all wrapper functions can be manually controlled using the switch pad on the baler’s mudguard.
The baler can be fitted with up to 25 knives in configurations of 0,12,13 or 25.
Design and control
Overall, Pat feels the baler has been well built with a good degree of strength. He says the tandem axle configuration leaves the baler easier to pull and less bouncy. The C441R is fitted with 500/45 R22.5 tyres, which he says allow the baler to travel well across ground although turning tight may often cause slight scrubbing given the nature of the tandem axle. Although the Fusion baler weighs over 1,000kg lighter, Pat noted that the addition of a tandem axle balances out the weight difference and that there isn’t much between the two machines’ ability to travel in wet conditions.
The baler is fitted with a 1,000rpm gearbox supplying power throughout the machine. A Beka-Max auto greaser looks after the majority of daily greasing, even the tandem axle’s bogie.
Pat operates the baler using Isobus paired up with his John Deere 6155R, which he says works well. All the baler’s functions and settings including bale density and size can be changed through the relevant control screens.
“Initially it takes more time to get to grips with the John Deere control system and learn its ins and outs compared to the Fusion 3. Screens are well laid out and I like how it works having got used to it although I feel some aspects could be simplified.”
Verdict
After 30,000 bales, the C441R has gone well for Pat. He noted a few teething issues occurred at the start in relation to back door pressure which John Deere quickly rectified. Since then the baler has performed well with little or no maintenance costs.
“If I was going out to do a day’s baling and the two balers were in the yard, I’d take the John Deere without doubt. Everything from grass intake to bale density and the chop quality – I or my customers cannot fault it.”
“I like the ease of replacing net or wrap. Everything is accessible from ground level. If I was upgrading in the morning I would find it hard to move away from John Deere.”
Likes
Intake capacity in all conditions.Pickup wheels do not need to be removed.Low overall height leaves the wrapper visible from the cab.Dislikes
Some aspects of the control system could be simplified.Grass sticking to the wrapper’s bale position rollers.Tail swing.Spec
Weight: 6,800kg.
Tyres: 500/45 R22.5.
Knives: 25 (0-12-13-25).
Pickup 2.2m, five-tine bar with cam track.
Length: 7m (22ft 12in).
Width: 3.3m (10ft 10in).
Price: €68,500 plus VAT.
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