JOHN Deere will launch eight new round hay balers in Australia early next year.
The new models include fixed and variable-chamber balers.
Within the eight balers are four models, each available as a "professional" or "premium" option.
The premium versions are the top-of-the-range machines, made for heavy-duty work and producing high-density bales.
The new balers are; the 644 professional and premium fixed-chamber units, the 744 professional and premium wrapping balers and the 854 and 864 professional and premium variable-chamber balers.
The new models will replace current 578, 678, 582 and 592 John Deere balers.
All premium balers can be optioned with John Deere's new 2.2m wide MaxiCut pick-up, which has 25 cutting knives as standard.
The fine-chop pick-up can produce hay in four lengths, depending on the number of knives used.
The hay length can be varied from 40mm, using 25 knives to 140mm, using seven knives.
The professional fixed-chamber models have two pick-up options, a 2m or 2.2m MaxiCut 14-knife pre-cutter. The professional variable-chamber balers have a choice of either a 2m or 2.2m RotoFlow or 2m or 2.2 m MaxiCut 14-knife pre-cutter.
The 14-knife pre-cutter can be adjusted so the hay chop length can be changed from 70mm to 140mm.
Apart from the balers' chopping ability, another new feature on each model is a drop-floor unblocking system. The drop floor can be operated from the tractor cabin.
In the 744 wrapping baler models, an ISOBUS operating system is standard. This means the balers will be electronically compatible with John Deere's GreenStar 2 in-cabin monitor and hence there is no need for a separate baler monitor in the tractor.
All of the baler's functions can be varied via the GreenStar monitor and there's even a an automatic greasing system option.
The 744 can be adjusted to produce bales of 1.25m, 1.30m and 1.35m diameter.
With the 854 and 864 variable chamber balers, bales of 1.55m diameter and 1.8m diameter can be made.
John Deere has beefed up these new models, utilising reinforced composite side panels and there is also automatic chain lubrication on the premium models. All models in the range can be equipped with the John Deere's CoverEdge net-wrapping system.
