Here comes the BaleTrain - raking, baling in one pass
We've all heard of road trains, soul train and gravy trains, but German machinery manufacturer Krone has come up with a novel word for the agricultural sector.
On the mower front, units WILL include the EC F 320 CV Pull and EC F 320 CV Push mowers, an Easy Cut R 280 and the ActiveMow R 280.
The BiG X 780 is powered by an 8-cylinder, 775hp Liebherr engine, offering X-Power and Eco-Power for power adjustment to suit conditions and reduce fuel consumption.
The hydraulically driven intake system enables stepless length of cut, with feed rates controlled by six intake rollers. Crop is fed to a 660mm diameter chopping cylinder that can be fitted with 20, 28 or 36 blades arranged in a chevron pattern, said to centre the crop to deliver a continuous flow in all crop types.
After the chopping cylinder the corn processor has new Optimaxx rollers for processing maize, using twin 250mm diameter rollers equipped with 105 and 123 teeth respectively, angled at 5% and running at a speed differential of 30% to shatter kernels and shred stalk even at longer chop lengths.
The Big M 450 self propelled mower conditioner has had major design changes -- a new cab, engine, running gear and redesigned mower units. With a working width of 9.95m, the Big M can achieve work rates of up to17ha/hour.
The EasyCut F 320 CV mower has a working width of 3.16m and a unique headstock that allows it to be mounted as a push or pull version.
The push version has an A-frame that incorporates two substantial coil springs that draw the mower toward the tractor for exceptional suspension. The push design creates a compact machine, reduces weight and is gentle on the surface of the paddock.
In the pulled version, the suspension springs are integrated into the mower’s suspension system. The tension of the two springs is controlled by a single crank and is easy to adjust.
With mechanical weed control gaining ground in New Zealand among row crop farmers and maize and fodder beet growers, TFM will feature an Einbock Chopstar inter-row cultivator equipped with the advanced Row-Guard camera-based steering system.
The Chopstar uses a hydraulically folding frame that in turn carries mounted spring or vibro tines placed at 20-30cm row spacings. The Row Guard system uses cameras to look down several rows and then automatically side shift the cultivator hydraulically, overcoming the limitations of GPS-RTK, even at 2cm accuracy.
A Hawkes Bay squash grower reports that by replacing manual labour with the Chopstar and Row-Guard system he recovered the cost of the machine in just 13 days use.
From the Monosem camp, the NG Plus ME (Monoshox with electric drive) planter is said to be low maintenance, versatile and efficient in the field. It achieves faster working speeds with its Monoshox suspension system, the ISOBUS system and section control allow ease of use, and automatic shut-off takes the worry out of double-planting.
For the first time at Fieldays, TFM will showcase the Strebel strip tillage system. With a combined planter and front tank the system achieves lower input costs, less soil erosion and better environmental outcomes. The unit has a working width of 3m, a cultivator working to 20-25cm depth and a rotary tiller working at 10-15cm.
Two configurations offer a choice of models with four tines and 75cm spacing or six tines at 50cm spacing. The layout of the machine uses a subsoiler with rotary hoe blades on either side of the subsoiler leg. The design breaks up the sub-surface pan and in turn brings soil up to the rotary hoe and creates a fine seedbed, delivering a planting area for the intended rows without disturbing the soil between them.
