McHale has launched its new Fusion 4 integrated baler/wrapper range that comprises three models: the McHale Fusion 4, the McHale Fusion 4 Pro and the McHale Fusion 4 Plus with film binding technology.
In designing the Fusion 4, operator comfort and friendliness was at the forefront of the machine’s development. All models in the range deliver a number of new features with the higher-end Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus being ISObus compatible, allowing the operator to experience the highest level of customisation and machine performance.
The new Fusion 4 range introduces the brand’s most advanced pick-up featuring enhanced throughput. There’s also increased bale density and faster wrapping speeds. A focus has also been placed on operator comfort while ensuring the reliability and heavy-duty build quality that McHale is renowned for remains.
McHale has created its highest output pick-up for the Fusion 4 range. The new Profi-Flo unit has been designed to increase crop intake through more efficient crop flow and has been engineered to ensure end users are operating with a high-performance pick-up that is designed to suit various working conditions.
The new tapered feed channel encourages the crop to flow from the pick-up towards the rotor and into the bale chamber, maximising throughput. To reduce maintenance, all Profi-Flo pick-ups are fitted with a heavier driveline that reduces chain load and increases chain life.
Customers can choose between a five-tine bar cam track pick-up or an optional six-tine bar camless pick-up with increased width. Behind the tines, customers will notice a number of changes to improve the flow of crop into the chamber.
McHale has also introduced its Adaptive Intake that has been specifically designed to allow the intake area to automatically adjust up and down to changes in material flow. The design of this intake area has a number of advantages:
- it automatically adjusts to the volume of crop, which allows the machine capacity to be maximised in light and heavy rows/swaths;
- the intake area automatically adjusts to allow the machine to better handle uneven and lumpy rows/swaths;
- there’s better crop intake; and
- there’s less chance of blockages occurring.
All machines in the Fusion 4 range are equipped with a 540rpm gearbox as standard. In order to optimise machine performance, a 1,000rpm gearbox is available as an optional extra that provides the following advantages:
- it results in an increase in PTO speed with a substantially reduced torque. This reduces the sharp loads on the drive line, providing the clutch setting with 10 per cent more capacity which reduces the risk of blockages and provides more throughput;
- there’s the option to select 540rpm (if available) on the tractor for easier restarts in the unlikelihood of blocking; and
- better fuel economy is achieved due to lower tractor engine revs by running the machine at the recommended PTO speed of 890rpm when using the 1,000rpm gearbox.
The McHale Fusion 4 range is fitted with Individual Grease and Oil Pumps. The grease pump is connected to the downward movement of the bale tip, while the oil pump is connected to the upward movement of the bale tip. This ensures that grease and oil is applied evenly and continuously as the machine operates.
A larger Net/Film Brake has been fitted to all Fusion 4 Plus machines that provides 25 per cent more stretch to be easily achieved. This is especially effective when operating in cold weather with net repacement film (NRF), which requires a higher stretch percentage.
Cut and Hold Slider Brushes make the Fusion 4’s performance even more reliable by reducing friction to eliminate plastic tearing, particularly in hot or wet conditions. The cut and hold system also feature a hydraulic tap to lock it in the open position for the ease and safety of maintenance.
A Control Keypad is fitted to the rear of the Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus to allow the operator to control the following functions:
- indexing of the wrapper;
- rear wrapping roller up/down;
- wrapper start/pause;
- cut and hold release;
- work lights; and
- two spare customisable buttons.
All machines in the Fusion 4 range have increased density pressure that results in the production of well-shaped and tighter bales.
New panel lighting has been added to the McHale Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus to aid operators when changing rolls of film when it’s dark. These lights are neatly fitted underneath the side panels of the machines and can be switched on/off from the control console or the rear keypad on the machine.
Depending on machine specification, there are a number of additional optional extras available for machines in the McHale Fusion 4 range. These include: Selectable Knives, NRF/Net Loading Device, Side Tip, and a Bale Weighing and Moisture System.
All McHale Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus machines are ISObus compatible as standard. McHale ISObus machines can be plugged into any ISObus tractor connection and operated via the tractor’s own terminal in the cab. For tractors that are not ISObus ready, McHale’s ISO-Play 7 or ISO-Play 12 consoles are available as an optional extra, although an additional tractor wiring loom will also be required.
