Right dose, right place in any conditions
The new AERO 32.1 mounted, pneumatic fertiliser spreader offers working widths of 24, 27, 28, or 30 metres, to complete KUHN’s range of pneumatic fertiliser spreaders.
French machinery giant Kuhn bought the Vicon baler business and its factory in Geldrop, Holland, in late 2008 and has continued to develop the product ranges, now offering a choice of up to 16 variable chamber machines.
Two new machines added to the range for the coming season are the VB 2265 and 2296 models. These follow the same layout as existing 2200 series machines, with 230cm pick-ups, bale formation by three rollers and five belts and progressive density control.
However, they also include upgrades to allow 10% greater bale densities. The VB 2265 can produce bales from 0.8 to 1.6m diameter, and the 2295 up to 1.85m.
Aimed at the contractor market and dubbed the ‘heavy duty option’, the progressive density control – which comprises a belt tensioning arm, twin hydraulic cylinders and compression springs – is now subjected to greater operating pressures to control bale density from the core to the exterior.
The increase in pressure from 180 to 235 bar has necessitated an upgrade to the machine drivelines with larger size and increased quality drive chains, lubricated
by the BaleMax continuous oiling system. Driveshafts now also use heavy-duty universal joints to deal with increased torque loadings and a second driven roller on the belt drive system ensures positive bale rotation.
Durability of the machines is further enhanced by Hardox wear plates in the pickup area and on the rotor feeder tine points.
Contractors will also welcome the fitment of oversize 500-45R22.5 tyre equipment, which will help deal with increased bale weights on difficult ground. There’s also ISOBUS connectivity that will make hitch-up a breeze for suitably equipped tractors, as well as including features such as monitors connected to external cameras.
Overall choices include basic non-chopping feeder rotors, a 23 knife cutting rotor delivering a 45mm chop length, and of course the combined wrapper system dubbed VBP.
“We have already sold a number of units for the coming season, and although there is a possibility of delivering higher bale weights, we think that current weights are probably enough,” Brian Robertson, operations manager, Kuhn NZ, told Rural News.
“If that’s the case, we think users will probably run the units at around 70% density to deliver similar weights, but with less stress and achieving a longer service life by the machines.”
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
The merger of two of the country’s largest animal nutrition companies won’t lessen competition, the Commerce Commission has ruled.
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
Japanese consumers pay a premium for food that contains ingredients that support health.
In a few weeks the winner of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm will be revealed at a gala dinner in Hamilton. In the past couple of weeks, the two finalists in this year’s competition have been holding on-farm field days to showcase why they are finalists. Peter Burke has attended both field days.
The long-running New Zealand Agricultural Show won’t take place this year as cash-strapped organisers mull the event’s future.