New bale monitoring system enabling higher productivity
information on the Isobus monitor in the tractor.
QUALITY
As many operators have found in recent seasons, being able to accurately and automatically apply buffered preservative to hay and straw crops in less than ideal conditions, or in order to maximise crop yield and increased feed value, has enabled them to ensure high bale quality at moisture contents of up to 27pc without dust and mould developing.
In good conditions – being able to bale above the historically safe 15pc moisture content – baling can start earlier in the day and finish later into the evening, resulting in up to 30pc higher daily outputs and increased profitability.
The new system is designed specifically for use with the highest capacity big square balers. Two versions of the Baler’s Choice 600 series system are available – ‘Moisture Only’ and ‘Moisture Expandable’.
The first option is designed for operators who just want an accurate moisture monitor and are unlikely to want to add any other function modules. Using star wheels located in the bale chamber that take nine readings every second, this provides an accurate record of the moisture content over a range from 8pc to 72pc, and this information is fed into the baler’s Isobus network for display on the control terminal.
The higher spec Moisture Expandable system provides all the same moisture monitoring functionality along with a baling tonnes per hour feature. It is also specifically designed so that further module options can be quickly and simply added.
The application system includes either a 400, 420 or 435 litre tank, depending on baler brand, that is mounted on the back of the baler and can be filled from ground level.
The Baler’s Choice preservative is applied via three pumps which feed a spray shield mounted behind the pick-up.
To avoid crop wastage, eyes either side of the pick-up ensure that the applicator only works when crop is flowing into the baler.
In addition, on Agco and CNH balers, if a blockage occurs a sensor will pause the applicator if the flywheel drops below 600rpm.
UNIQUE
The final module is a bale tagging system that provides full traceability from the field through to the end user.
This unique system uses a tag applied to the bale string.
As the bale leaves the bale chamber, the tag is loaded with specific bale data such as average and highest moisture content, amount of preservative applied, GPS location and weight.
The data on the tags can be easily read using either a handheld or tractor-mounted frame reader, so that end users such as straw merchants can quickly access the data and use this when handling or storing bales and export this data into Microsoft Excel.