Kuhn bags tech award
French company KUHN has won a EIMA Technical Innovation Award for its Baler Automation Technology.
Recently launched by grassland specialist Kuhn, the SW 4014 wraps square or round bales, notably using the unique AutoLoad function.
Awarded a silver medal at the 2015 Agritechnica Show for its ability to allow fully automatic wrapping of squares or rounds without the need for driver input, the system is said to improve output while minimising stress for the operator during long harvest days. In operation, the driver approaches a bale, which the system detects, then it scans the bale for length and sets the loading arms to a pre-set lifting position.
Heavy duty construction incorporates a hydraulic sliding frame, offers a wide track for stability, while the 'drive through' layout allows easy loading and good visibility of the wrapping cycle. In operation in the paddock the width is 4m which closes down to 2.5m for road transport.
The machine can wrap large square, medium-square or round bales up to 1500kg and 200cm long, and rounds up to 140cm diameter without any mechanical adjustment; the system can store multiple format and bale dimensions within the control terminal.
The layout and operation allows loading from the front or rear of the machine, which allows the retrieval of poorly dropped bales from difficult locations, and placement of wrapped bales back to ground level without any damage.
Shorter patented top rollers allow film roll holders to place film on the bale close to the centreline, resulting in less wrinkling and better oxygen exclusion; the IntelliWrap system allows accurate control of the number of wraps for best coverage, while the ISOBUS control system can be used to reposition bales in the preferred manner such as 'knots up' or 'drop on short side'.
Power requirement allows a range of tractors to be used, though a prerequisite is 45L of oil per minute. An optional PTO driven system can be specified which drives a closed circuit system, which reduces fuel requirement and any risk of contaminated oil getting into the wrapper system.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.