McHALE has launched a new variable chamber round baler that can produce bales of 0.7m to 1.7m diameter.

The McHale V660 baler, built for high output, is currently being demonstrated throughout Victoria, according to KV Agriculture national product manager Jan Moens.

"The V660 is a high-performance variable chamber baler and it's been performing well in paddock demonstrations in the past month or so in Gippsland and the Western District," Jan said.

"It makes a very dense, well shaped bale.

"And it's very easy to operate thanks to an in-cab monitor that allows the driver to manage most of the baler's functions."

The in-cab monitor can be used to vary bale density, bale diameter and the number of times net wrap is placed around the bale.

The V660 is a net wrap baler and cannot be used with conventional string.

Requiring a minimum of a 60kW tractor to haul the baler, the V660 can be optioned with a set of chopping knives.

The 15-knife chopping unit will cut pasture or crops to a length of 65mm. The knives can be engaged and disengaged from the cabin.

The 2m-wide pick up is galvanised and features lateral feed augers and four rows of tines.

There's a slip clutch for extra protection on the drive line and a crop roller is an optional extra to smooth out uneven swaths before they enter the pick up.

If a blockage occurs in the baler, an audible alarm sounds in the tractor cabin. The driver can then hydraulically lower the baler floor, widening the feed channel, to remove the blockage.

Jan said any excess hay from the blockage would be fed back into the baler and not dropped on the ground.

"It only takes about 10-15 seconds to clear a blockage, which means the baler can be kept running more often," he said.

Jan also said the McHale range of balers and wrappers would be distributed by the PFG Group in Australia and New Zealand this year.

"As of January 1, the McHale range, through KV Agriculture, will be handled exclusively by PFG and sold through the KV Agriculture dealer network," Jan said.

For more details, phone PFG Australia on (03) 9368 8810.