Wednesday, 01 March 2023 14:55

New baler from McHale

Written by  Mark Daniel
The New Fusion 4 combo is said to offer greater comfort to the operator and improved efficiency in the field. The New Fusion 4 combo is said to offer greater comfort to the operator and improved efficiency in the field.

Although Irish manufacturer McHale used the September 2022 Irish National Ploughing Championships to showcase the latest updates to its baler/ wrapper combination, it’s taken until recently for the first example to arrive in New Zealand.

The New Fusion 4 combo is said to offer to greater comfort to the operator and improved efficiency in the field. This is largely thanks to an improved pick-up that promotes smoother flow into the baler’s intake channel.

The new range will include the base Fusion 4, the McHale Fusion 4 Pro and the McHale Fusion 4 Plus, equipped film binding technology. The latter with “film on film” will be the standard offering for NZ, although the other models are available under the indent programme.

All machines in the Fusion 4 range offer new features, while the higher specification Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus feature ISOBUS compatibility. This is said to offer higher levels of customisation that will lead to increased performance.

A new 2.1 metre pick-up, called the Profi-Flo, is designed to increase crop intake through more efficient crop flow. This, in turn, is said to increase throughput, bale density and wrapping speeds. Offered with a conventional 5-tine bar or cam-less, 6 bar format, the pick-ups feed a redesigned tapered feed channel that encourages the crop to flow from the pick-up to the rotor and onwards to the bale chamber.

The introduction of an Adaptive Intake, that automatically adjusts up and down to meet changes in crop flow, allows a more positive feed into the bale chamber. As well as gaining an extra tine, to reduce maintenance, the Profi-Flo pick-up is fitted with a heavier driveline which is intended to increase chain life.

All new balers are fitted with dual grease and oil pumps, connected to the movement of the bale tip, ensuring that grease and oil is applied evenly and continuously during operation.

Other detail changes include a larger net/film brake, offering an extra 25% pre-stretch. This is said to be useful when operating in cold weather or when using film that needs a greater pre-stretch. For ease of use, a keypad is fitted to the rear of the two higher spec models, offering the operator the ability to control the wrapping unit and new work lights fitted under the side panels. Modified cut and hols slider bushes help to avoid film tears in very dry or windy conditions. Meanwhile, an increase in the maximum bale density should lead to more tightly formed bales and better fermentation.

A range of options includes a 1,000 rpm gearbox, providing better fuel economy and a 10% increase in clutch capacity, achieved through reduced torque loading.

Interestingly, the company suggests the optimal speed for fuel economy and output is around 890 rpm. However, depending on machine specification, there will also be options including selectable knives, a net loading device and side tipping of the wrapped bale.

More like this

Hose runner saves time and effort

Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

Canterbury farmer saves time with spreader upgrade

With a focus on producing their own on-farm dairy feed requirements, it would be safe to say that the Fleming family are no strangers to a fertiliser spreader on their North Canterbury farm, near Culverden.

The JAC of all trades at National Fieldays

Already causing a stir in the burgeoning ute sector, JAC (“Jack”) has raised its profile by being named as the latest major sponsor of June’s National Fieldays, where it will officially introduce its top-of-the-line T9 4WD double cab ute to the market, joining its fleet of 100% EV and Cummins diesel trucks.

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved from a single model in 1975 to a range today, led by the new CR10 and CR11.

Featured

NZ growers lead freshwater compliance

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter