At Krone’s pre-Agritechnica event at its headquarters near Spelle, there were several updates to the company’s round baler range.
The ComPack Pro is available with a semi-variable chamber, with or without an integrated wrapping table for bales from 1.25m up to 1.5m, or with a fully variable chamber (again with or without a wrapper) for bales from 1m up to 1.5m.
It uses the company’s in-house designed EasyFlow pick-up, feeding into the XCut cutting rotor. The precision cutting unit is available with either 17 or 26 blades, offering respective theoretical cutting lengths of 64mm or 42mm. Regardless of the number of blades, these can be hydraulically activated in groups to adjust the chop length based on requirements, and feature individual protection against foreign objects.
In the chamber, Krone’s slat and belt conveyor system is used, with optional digital cameras to give a clear view inside of the chamber alongside the digital view from the Isobus terminal. Net wrapping is standard, with the possibility to specify both net and film wrapping, with a pivoting slide on the right-hand side of the machine to ease the changeover of rolls.
When a wrapping table is specified, it comes with a double-arm wrapping system rotating at 36rpm, which the company says will match the high output of the baler. There is also a new control panel at the rear of the machine for easy operation of the wrapping table if required.
The options list includes a silage additive system, with two tanks of 120 litres. Dosing can be fully automated based on litres/bale, litres/min or litres/t, or can be operated manually. It’s also possible to fit a weighing device on the machine.
High density, low maintenance
For those looking for a high-density, fully variable round baler, Krone has introduced the CombiPack HDP with a fully integrated wrapping table. It can produce bales from 1m up to 1.65m, and thanks to a complete redesign throughout the machine, throughput is said to be 30% higher than on previous balers.
Part of this is due to the new PowerDrive drivetrain, which uses multiple gearboxes rather than chains, significantly reducing maintenance. The main gearbox at the front transmits power to the cutting rotor via a distributor block at the side, while the three drive rollers are driven via a single gearbox. Only the compression rollers require a chain drive.
An integrated hydraulic drive is fitted away from the 2.23m EasyFlow pickup, enabling the baling speed to be adjusted to the forward speed. After the pickup, material is delivered to the integral rotor via two augers, ensuring all crop is pulled through into the cutting unit. As standard, there are 41 blades installed, offering a chop length of just 27mm – said to be a world first. The blades can be pre-selected on the machine and switched from the tractor cab. To ease maintenance, the knife cassette easily pulls out from the left-hand side.
Both net and film can be applied, depending on requirements, and the rear wrapping table rotates at 40rpm. According to Krone, this means that a bale, with six layers of wrap, can be completed in just 40sec, providing a spot rate of around 90 bales/min.
