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The BaleSlice cuts through any film or the net and is held by four, hydraulically-activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame.
There would be many farmers who cringe at the thought of pulling silage wrap off bales on a cold, miserable winter morning.
With bales being a major part of rural New Zealand’s feeding regime, the age-old problem of dealing with wrap and net prior to feeding is still a hurdle, both in terms of mess and safety.
The latest release from feeding specialists Hustler, the BaleSlice, helps deal with this issue.
As the name suggests, it slices four or five foot diameter bales through their centre axis, easing the work of mixer and feed-out wagons and also removing the need for cattle to tear bales placed in ring feeders.
Taking the form of a fork, with a top-mounted cutting mechanism, the latter is mounted to the upper frame. From here it is pushed through the bale by twin 100mm diameter hydraulic rams, travelling through an arc that is designed to pass through the centre of the bale. As the bale slices, any film, or the net beneath, is held by four hydraulically activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame to ensure a minimum of material is held or wasted. The cutting edge is manufactured from HB 500 grade steel for an extended service life.
The machine offers several benefits – including removing the need for operators to leave the cab to remove film and net, and/or to stand under or climb over bales to cut the plastic film. It also helps users to stay clean and dry.
Weighing in at 470kg, the BaleSlice is said to be easy to fit to existing loaders without the need for any additional plumbing or valves. It requires an oil flow of only 25 litres/minute and is supported by a fouryear warranty.
The market is in decline in the United States, Canada and Brazil. In Europe, sales are falling in Germany, France and Spain. Turkey is experiencing a sharp decline, whilst the economic strategies and policies implemented by India and China are driving purchases in both countries.
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