Massey Ferguson has launched its premium MF 1842S high-capacity, in-line small square baler. This new model has been designed to deliver the output required by contractors and professional users looking for maximum performance to make standard-size bales.
“Developed by baler specialists at the renowned Hesston factory, the MF 1842S is a premium, super heavy-duty machine, capable of making the highest number of bales to secure crop quality in tight operating windows,” MF’s marketing director for Europe and the Middle East, Jérôme Aubrion, said.
The new baler, which makes standard, 14-inch x 18-inch bales, builds on the success of the market-leading MF 1840 that has an enviable reputation for performance, reliability and low costs of ownership.
“Engineered to the highest standards, the new MF 1842S employs well-proven high-capacity components from the MF 185 large square baler and other models sold in North America,” Mr Aubrion added. “These combine to deliver considerably higher outputs for operators needing significant extra feeding capacity, much greater outputs and higher densities, if required.”
Well-proven on existing balers sold in the USA, the heavy-duty chassis and frame are the strong foundations around which the new MF 1842S is built. Designed to handle high loads this provides the excellent strength and reliability required to meet high output demands.
PTO power is transmitted via a new primary shaft with mid-mounted support that ensures it remains perfectly in line with the drawbar at all times. A significantly heavier-duty slip clutch protects the driveline and delivers 20 per cent more torque than the existing MF 1840 design.
At 673mm in diameter, the new high inertia flywheel is 21 per cent larger and 22 per cent heavier than that used on the smaller in-line baler. This delivers smooth efficient operation by maintaining consistent speeds as well as reducing the power requirement and surges.
The MF 1842S gearbox is specifically engineered to handle more power and high baling loads. Proven on high-capacity balers sold in the USA, it has a great reputation for its reliability and long service life.
Working at 100 strokes/min, the new plunger not only delivers the higher performance required, but also makes consistently high quality, dense bales. Eight, heavy-duty bearings, are up to 51 per cent wider and 25 per cent larger in diameter than those on the MF 1840 and are specified to support the high loads to ensure upmost reliability.
At the same time the plunger stroke is more than 24 per cent longer, which helps to increase torque and reduce the power requirement. A new 33.8kg counterbalance, mounted on the drive arm, evens out peak loads on the tractor and maintains consistent plunger speed, as well as helping to improve efficiency.
Inherited from the highly regarded MF 185 large square baler, the 1.98m wide pick-up comes with a great reputation. Equipped with a high speed reel that operates at 145rpm (37 per cent faster than the MF 1840), this feeds the crop to two large, 330mm diameter cross augers. Together they offer exceptional feeding capacity to boost productivity.
Incoming crop is fed into a new, tapered feeding chute that boosts capacity and smoothly controls the flow. At 735mm, the front opening is 83 per cent wider than before, providing 44 per cent greater feed area to deliver a completely unhindered material flow.
Crop is gathered by an improved, six-tine high capacity crop feeding system, which features two rows of dual forks, which are equipped with three tines. This strong system, used on balers sold in the USA, delivers significantly high outputs with straightforward and dependable operation.
MF 1842S specifications:
Bale size (metric): 457mm wide x 365mm tall
Bale length: 700mm to 1,320mm
Pick-up width: 1,982mm
Number of tines: 56 double
Feeding system: Dual, triple-tine fork continuous feed
Dimensions: 2.6m wide x 6.4m long x 1.7m high
From here, crop moves to a new pre-forming chamber. Increased in volume by more than 75 per cent compared to existing designs, it provides substantially more capacity to handle the baler’s capability to process higher throughputs.
To match the baler’s high performance, MF specifies heavy-duty and reliable Rasspe knotters on the new MF 1842S baler. Made from well-proven components, these deliver superb, dependable operation and are capable of working with many different types of twine.
The knotters are made from hard-wearing nickel plated components that resist corrosion and wear to maintain reliability and durability. Centralised greasing, which is standard, reduces maintenance requirements and further prolongs component life and enhances resale values.
An electrical cleaning fan is fitted as standard. This continually blows over the knotters to keep them clear of dust and debris, helping to reduce downtime. The system automatically stops every after 15 minutes and reverses the fan to clear away any build-ups before resuming.
Bales are formed in the OptiForm bale chamber, which is 100mm (five per cent) longer than before. Density is set using an on-board hydraulic system that applies pressure to rails on the top and sides of the chamber. Once set, by adjusting the pressure on a dial, the system automatically reacts to changes in crop conditions, maintaining consistent bale weighs even if the crop moisture content varies.
Resistor doors, fitted to each side of the chamber, are used to alter the side pressure as the bale is forming. These can be adjusted from the outside and with crop in the chamber. Adjusting the doors helps to improve bale consistency and generate greater density.
Two cast bars, supplied as standard, can also be mounted inside the chamber to further boost density in softer crops, such as straw
