Classic kit at a working show always turns heads and that was certainly the case on the Pöttinger plot where the manufacturer was showing how much wagon technology has moved on since this 1981 Top III paired with a Ford 5000 first entered the field. The classic silage outfit was working alongside a modern Torro on a New Holland. The older wagon has a total of 31-knives split across two knife banks and was doing a surprisingly good job.
Fendt VR
Slotting between the Tigo PR and XR wagons is the new VR which was working for the first time in Dumfries. There are two VR models, the 37m3 65 and the 42m3 75. These have the same chassis as the larger XR but the business end of the PR with a 2.0m camless pickup featuring hydraulic drive for variable speed to match crop conditions. There are 40 knives for a 37mm theoretical chop length. Spare knives can be cleverly stored on a bracket behind the knife bank.
Hydro-pneumatic suspension is an option and the model on show was sporting 750/45 R26.5 rubber. Another option is the ability to manually reverse the floor from a control box at the rear of the machine if using it to transport other items such as bales. As with the other wagons, it has a moving front which boosts capacity by 6.0m3 and moves in three stages.
New Holland Pro Belt
Slipping in above the Roll Belt, is the new heavier-duty Pro Belt aimed those pumping out more the 7,000 bales per season. There are two models, the PB165 and 190 with the numbering relating to the bale diameter. As well as a non-chop RotoFeed there are 13 and 25 knife versions.
The 1,000rpm going in is split left and right with an 800Nm clutch protecting the driveline. Crop gathering is left to a five-row. 2.35m wide cammed pick-up. The rotor is 520mm in diameter and uses steel stronger than Hardox. There is a drop floor to allow the lumps in and if the door starts to open more than 3.5mm, the operator is giving.
Larger diameter sprockets mean more chain wrap which along with larger bearings and shafts is part of the beefier driveline. The four belts which form the chamber have a different texture to the Roll Belt to help it achieve a throughput of up to 30t/hr.
Kubota BF3500
Seen at a public demo for the first time, the BF3500, is the Kubota version of the Kverneland/Vicon Fix Bale 500. This is a fixed chamber baler using the same rollers as the FastBale continuous baler. Responsible for gathering up the crop is a 2.3m pickup and 15 knives do the chipping. ISObus is an option.
Kongskilde drag chopper
Working alongside the FR650 self-propelled, was a trailed FCT1260 as New Holland reassures customers that it is continuing to build the three model range in its original Kongskilde livery – CNHI having bought the Danish machinery maker in 2016 and since switched branding to blue (arable) and yellow (grassland) on most of the implements. The number of players in the trailed harvester market has tumbled in recent years as AGCO pulled the pin on the Lely Storm and Pöttinger doing likewise with the Mex.
JF Hudson swath roller
As part of a growing range of front mounted attachments, JF Hudson launched its swath roller, which measures 1.2m wide. The frame on the £1,876 attachment can also be used to carry up to eight balls of twine. Alternatively, a Twine Rack can be purchased without the roller, and this will hold eight rolls of wrap or six of string.
The first front-mounted tool developed by the Yorkshire business is the Compact Front Box which can be carried on a front linkage with the arms in their vertical stored position so the attachment is closer coupled than other front box designs making it safer at road junctions. There are a range of box sizes and other add-ons such as a water tank, storage for a fire extinguisher or leaf blower.
