The new MF 2140, which produces 800mm wide x 700mm high bales, will join the Massey Ferguson MF 2100 large square baler range at Agritechnica 2009. This new bale size and shape is designed to help hauliers make optimum use of lorry capacity for transport on European roads.
Although the new MF 2140 model makes the smallest bale size in the MF 2100 Series, it inherits many of the outstanding design features from the range and produces heavy, dense bales in straw, silage, hay and haylage.
“These Massey Ferguson balers are designed and built in our Hesston factory in the USA, which pioneered the big square bale concept,” product marketing manager Mark Grigson said. “In common with other MF 2100 Series balers the MF 2140 produces the heaviest, highest density bales/hr in its sector. This increases productivity and means fewer heavier bales need to be cleared from the field. Fewer bales also reduce handling time and transport costs because the new bale shape makes more effective use of lorry space.”
The new MF 2140, like all MF 2100 Series balers, is equipped with an independent hydraulic pump and circuit to ensure consistent operation, regardless of other loads of the tractor’s hydraulics. This controls bale chamber density via two, double-acting rams that provide positive control of bale density and allow all three tension doors to be opened to release the tension on the bale. The hydraulics also run the knotter fan.
High capacity baling starts with an even, uninterrupted feed. Just like its larger counterparts, the new MF 2140 is equipped with a 2.26m effective working width pick-up.
Unlike other large square balers, which run their pick-ups on wheels, the MF 2140 uses a unique Torsion Bar flotation system. This fully floating design is the first ever to be used on a baler and suspends the pick-up off the ground in work. This significantly reduces the risk of wear and damage, which cuts down-time and lowers maintenance costs.
A solid wind guard smoothes the crop into a consistent mat across the full width of the pick-up, which significantly improves feeding and lifts performance. From here two centring augers on each side positively gather and feed the material efficiently into the pre-pack chamber.
The Cutter option on the MF 2140 makes denser, chopped bales that are more easily handled by complete diet feeder wagons with the shorter chopped material also improving food conversion ratio in livestock.
A single full-width auger feeds the material into a spiral rotor, which pulls the material between the serrated blades to cut the crop. The blades are engaged hydraulically from the cab and are protected by individual springs that allow them to fold out of the way of any foreign objects.
Setting the chop length is carried out using the easiest system on the market, which simply involves altering the position of a selector rod to select chop lengths of 192mm, 96mm and 48mm or no chopping.
Key to all Massey Ferguson MF 2100 Series balers’ unrivalled density is its superb pre-pack chamber, which creates even density flakes, regardless to swath size or forward speed.
This leading design has always guaranteed even filling right to the top of the chamber. The system ensures each flake is formed with the same amount of crop and degree of consolidation across the whole area – top to bottom and to both sides. This results in the new MF 2140 producing Massey Ferguson’s legendary consistent, solid bale shape.
Massey Ferguson balers are renowned for rock solid knotter reliability and the MF 2140 employs the original pioneering Hesston-designed, double knotters, to provide unstinting operation that is key to maintaining unrivalled performance.
Using two strings, fed from the top and bottom of the bale, and tying two knots allows higher density bales to be made without stress on the knotter or risk of knots breaking. This is because the string is free to feed out as the bale size increases. It is held in the knotter only during the tying cycle.
The four knotters are kept clean and clear of debris by a standard, transverse impeller knotter blower, which is hydraulically driven from the baler’s own on-board system. The fan works across the entire width, which improves fan efficiency. The knotters are lubricated by an electronically-controlled, auto-lube system.
The MF 2140, like others in the range, can carry 30 balls of twine. These are stored in ingeniously designed racks that hold the balls at a shallow angle on their sides – as opposed to upright. This makes it possible to load and connect the twine from the ground and the compact design ensures unrivalled access to key components around the baler.
The plunger on the MF 2140 operates at 42 strokes/min, which provides the high capacity operators expect from the Massey Ferguson design. A heavy flywheel and longer stroke help to maintain momentum, with the long crank arms providing greater torque and a longer compression stroke, which boosts bale density. The driveline is protected by a five-disc slip clutch and large shear bolt.
The MF 2140’s entire baling sequence is controlled and monitored from an Isobus-compatible terminal. The instrument, as fitted to Massey Ferguson’s leading tractors, provides complete control and operation via a large colour screen with buttons and a rotary dial. The system can also be used to control other ISO compliant implements, or through a similar compatible tractor terminal, which helps cut costs.
The MF 2140 baler is built on a common chassis design, which is used on all models in MF 2100 Series, which means users of even the smallest baler benefit from the highest specifications.
The straightforward and strong frame is designed to support the high loads imposed by the exceptional baling capacity. Extensive use of heavy-duty, sealed for life bearings reduces maintenance and eliminates the need for an Auto-Lube system.
The standard single axle on the MF 2140 is equipped with 700/50 x 22.5 tyres and comes with hydraulic braking as well as the option of air-brakes. For optimum flotation and improved ground clearance all machines can be equipped with a self-steering, suspended tandem axle as an option. This runs on 500/45-22.5 tyres.
For more information visit: www.masseyferguson.co.uk.
