New Holland used Cereals 2012 to launch its next-generation BigBaler range. The four new models are said to offer up to 20 per cent extra capacity and five per cent denser bales to significantly improve productivity and profitability.
Cutting edge features on the new four-baler range include the all-new MaxiSweep pick-up and enhanced pre-compression chamber crop flow monitoring that have been combined with advanced CropID systems and the proven Double Knot technology to offer professional hay and forage operations, straw contractors and large-scale arable farmers unsurpassed baling performance.
The new models are the BigBaler 870 (makes bales 80cm wide and 70cm high), the BigBaler 890 (80cm x 90cm), the BigBaler 1270 (120cm x 70cm) and the BigBaler 1290 (120cm x 90cm). Crop-to-crop flexibility has been engineered into the new machines by design, and all four models guarantee performance in conventional crops as well as in non-traditional crops such as sugar cane and maize stover, meaning they are perfect for the burgeoning biomass sector.
“Today’s BigBaler range is the culmination of more than 25 years of baling excellence, and represents the flagship baler in our extensive baler offering,” New Holland’s Bob Hatz said. “The BigBaler is built at our Centre of Harvesting Excellence at Zedelgem, Belgium, and has been engineered by design to meet the stringent quality, productivity and reliability requirements of modern baling businesses. Over 200,000 bales, equivalent to 10 seasons’ output, were produced by our prototypes before the first production BigBaler rolled off the line.”
The MaxiSweep pick-up has been completely redesigned to ensure that every last blade of profitable crop is safely baled. Tine strength has been significantly improved on CropCutter models with the adoption of 6mm coil tines as standard for increased durability when working in rough terrain and in stony fields.
The addition of a roller wind guard ensures smooth crop flow from the swath to the baler, and it prevents crop flow disturbance for uniform bale production. Swath transfer has been further enhanced by the sculpted pick-up side shields. Their distinctive S-shape design draws all crops in, even when negotiating tight corners, and smoothly feeds snagged crop into the pick-up. The pick-up edge now features crop guides to assist the final tine in collecting every blade of crop.
The new feed assist roll is situated behind the roller wind guard and features a system of two overshot and one undershot counter rotating augers that transfer the crop from the pick-up to the rotor or packer feeder, depending on the model, while simultaneously merging the flow of the crop to ensure that it matches the exact width of the feeder. The feed-assist roller then positively directs the condensed crop flow into the feeder for increased, constant feeding.
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| The flagship BigBaler 1290 produces bales 120cm wide and 90cm high. |
The BigBaler range offers three crop processing systems. The Standard Packer features two packer forks with six single tines each for 870 and 890 models, and three packer forks with nine single tines each for 1270 and 1290 models. This traditional technology directly feeds the crop into the pre-compression chamber for long, unbroken straw or hay.
The Packer Cutter variant, available on BigBaler 870 and 890 models, has three, six double-tine packer forks with six removable knives. This option offers the ultimate in crop processing flexibility and enables contractors to tailor bale production to individual customer requirements.
The densest bales, perfect for the biomass sector, are produced by CropCutter models. The W-pattern rotor is specifically designed for each baler and offers a configurable chop length. It also features a removable knife drawer for easy maintenance and offers tailored knife configurations.
The BigBaler 870 and 890 models can be specified with either nine knives in medium cut or 19 knives in short cut guise, and the BigBaler 1270 and 1290 come with 15 or 29 knives respectively. These knives can be individually regulated to fine tune the chop length: medium cut chops to approximately 8cm, which is ideal for chopped bedding straw for cattle sheds, whereas the short cut option shreds crop to a mere 4cm, which is perfect for silage or straw for chicken sheds, as well as for biomass operations.
The BigBaler’s proven pre-compression chamber technology has been further enhanced by the introduction of SmartFill feed flow indicators. This system uses a network of sensors, situated at the entrance to the pre-compression chamber, that monitors the flow of crop into the chamber to guarantee square edged bales of uniform side-to-side density. This information is displayed on the IntelliView IV in-cab monitor, so that the operator can see at a glance if the crop is being evenly fed. If one-sided build up is occurring, he is immediately informed to drive either more to the left or right over the swath by large on-screen arrows.
The all-new, heavy-duty gearbox, has enabled a 14 per cent increase in the plunger speed to 48 strokes/minute for higher throughput into the bale chamber which means that higher ground speed is now possible. This offers a significant productivity improvement for operations that work in moisture sensitive crops, or for those who bale in areas with unstable weather conditions. The introduction of a larger-diameter, high-inertia flywheel that neutralises variations in crop flow has made this possible.
The BigBaler benefits from distinctive New Holland styling. Characterised by flowing elegant lines, this quintessentially New Holland design, fully in line with all the company’s flagship harvesting products, offers significant advantages in terms of servicing and safety.
The ultra-wide single-piece front shield opens on gas struts, which is an industry first. This provides unfettered access to all moving parts, as well as to the automatic greaser and oiler for swift daily maintenance and minimum downtime. The single-piece side shields use an identical opening logic, and form a hermetic seal around the twine compartment to prevent dust ingress, which improves both knotter performance and the maintenance environment. The super flat service deck on the top of the baler has made servicing even easier, together with reducing possible areas of debris accumulation.
New Holland knows that safety is fundamental, and that when operators are under pressure to bring the crop home in prime condition, short cuts can be fatal. A unique safety system has been developed so that the front shield can only be opened when the baler is completely stationary, the PTO has been deactivated and when the flywheel brake has been engaged. Side doors can be opened in absolute safety as they only cover the twine boxes and provide no access to any moving components.
New Holland has pioneered double-knot technology for mopre than 25 years, and the unswerving commitment to continual development has resulted in segment-leading knotting performance. The upgraded knotting shields ensure that the knotter stays free from debris to prevent costly miss-ties.
Furthermore, the airflow around the knotter was mapped using state-of-the art computation fluid dynamic programs. Areas of stagnant airflow were identified, and three fans have been precision placed to automatically blow away any debris before it clogs the system.
For operations in the most extreme conditions, such as when baling maize stover, an optional air blow-off kit can be specified that is supplied by the tractor’s air brake reservoir. This automatic system, controlled via the IntelliView IV monitor, automatically directs a high speed air jet to further enhance cleaning performance.
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| The design of the new BigBaler is in line with New Holland’s other flahship harvesting machines. |
When baling at top speed operators must have at-a-glance intuitive fingertip control of all key operating parameters. The standard IntelliView III monitor or the wide screen IntelliView IV monitor can be specified. Bale length, density and moisture content, among others, can be analysed and adjusted on the move. Knotter fans, automatic oil and greasing can even be controlled via the screen. The BigBaler is also fully Isobus compatible for visibility-enhancing, single-screen technology, and offers perfect integration with tractors equipped with the SideWinder II armrest.
The redesigned lighting package on the new BigBalers optimises the spread of light around the baler and turns night into day when working late into the night to bale the crop in optimal condition. In addition, two dedicated LED work lights have been positioned on the pick-up to flood the area with light to assist the operator when working in dim or dark conditions.
The comfort package has been designed with professional baling operations in mind. The right hand rail on the flat service deck further enhances safety and a touch of baling luxury comes courtesy of the extra-large tool box and water tank for hand washing.
The BigBaler has been designed with transport in mind, and can be configured to meet a 2.55m transport width by fitting specific tyres. The range-topping large-wheel tandem axle significantly reduces ground pressure to assist in rapid crop regrowth, perfect for hay and silage operations that perform multiple cuts throughout the season. Moreover, all tyre combinations are well within the 3m for stable high-speed transport between fields.
The BigBaler offers advanced PLM solutions, as bale weight, which can be controlled and analysed using New Holland’s award winning electronic ActiveWeigh on-the-go bale weighing technology, moisture content, date and time and the bale’s GPS location can all be recorded. All data for each individual bale can be download using a USB stick to create precise yield and field mapping data, so that inputs can be fine-tuned to increase productivity and profitability for future seasons. The Crop ID system can transfer all aforementioned data onto a radio frequency tag that can be read at a later date for bale traceability (this will be available for the 2013 season).
For more information visit: www.newholland.com.
