There is a new heavy-duty option in the CNH variable-chamber baler line-up. We knocked out a few bales with the Case IH version, the RB456 HD Pro
The HD Pro is an extension of the Case IH variable baler line, a completely new range that is aimed at the more intensive user wanting to knock out in excess of 7,000 bales per season. As well as extra metal to live up to the Heavy Duty name, there is a slight change in max bale diameter: whereas the long-serving RB456 and RB466 machines top out at 1.50m and 1.80m respectively, these HD Pro models max out at 1.65m and 1.90m.
We were able to operate an RB456 HD Pro in dry wheat straw.
New pick-up
Calling on experience gained from the square balers, a completely new pick-up has been created for the HD Pro. This has 160 tines between the five rows and is controlled by a cam track. The massive crop press roller weighs almost 70kg.
There is a rotor-feed version (non-chop) as well as a Rotocut variant with 25 knives for a theoretical cutting length of 42mm. The number of knives engaged (12, 13 or all 25) is selected from the cab. The knives are not only engaged hydraulically but also retracted using the hydraulics to ensure all of the knives reliably swing out of the crop flow channel. A 1.20m wide rotor feeds the forage into the bale chamber. The rotor on the 25-blade RB is 520mm in diameter and weighs 167kg. For a long service life, Case IH uses an extremely wear-resistant metal, which is said to be even tougher than Hardox, for the rotor tines.
Up to 200hp
The HD Pro can cope with up to 184kW/250hp up front using the 1,000-speed box. The split drive is new, with a T-gearbox with integrated 1,400Nm slip clutch sending power to either side.
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