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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.
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