Anderson Group, Quebec, Canada is launching a unique bale collecting trailer that can pick up wrapped round bales from the field on the move with no risk of damaging the wrapping.
The RBM2000 PRO trailer transforms collecting bales into a highly efficient one/man machine operation, which achieves quicker field clearance that requires less labour and fuel, and also greatly reduces the risk of soil compaction.
It can do this thanks to an innovative design of lifting arm, which features a bale detector that initiates the loading sequence as soon as the arm contacts the bale.
As the tractor and trailer approach the bale the arm slides forward, so as soon as contact with the bale is made it can slide backwards so while tractor and trailer continue to move forwards, the arm is effectively stationery in relation to both the bale and ground.
This enables it to gain a secure grip on the bale and lift it without scuffing it on the ground, which eradicates the risk of damaging the wrapping film.
The trailer can carry 20 bales, with two lines of seven on the bottom and a single line of six placed on top of them, with loading time typically being 20 seconds per bale. The operator can adjust bale spacing to cater for differing bale lengths.
All the trailer’s operations are controlled by the machine’s Danfoss Plus 1 Controller and Danfoss DP720 touch-screen monitor. These controls enable the machine to be operated efficiently by less experienced staff, who can then tackle more technical tasks.
The trailer’s bale picking claw normally runs horizontally to collect bales placed on their end, but the operator can turn it to a vertical position to collect those that have fallen on their sides. All bales are placed on their sides on the trailer and then moved backwards by its sliding headstock.
Bales are unloaded by tilting the trailer rearwards and pushing them off with the headstock, so they land on their end ready for stacking.
Todd McMyn, export sales director, says the trailer offers several valuable benefits to users: “Normally loading wrapped bales is a slow operation with one person in a fork-lift carrying bales to a static tractor and trailer. Both vehicles then have to move back to the yard to unload.
“Like other Anderson trailers, the RBM2000 PRO enables one operator and machine to pick up bales on the move and transport them back to the yard for stacking.
“With a conventional system, there is always the danger of the loader causing localised compaction as it shuttles back and forth to the trailer loading bales.
“The fact that bale removal is now so swift and easy means the fields get cleared more quickly, enabling slurry or fertiliser to be applied so the next forage cut gets a good, fast start.
“Forage harvesting time is always busy, so releasing a man and machine for other work is bound to help overall efficiency and improves farm profitability”.
The trailer measures 11.75 metres length; 2.55m width and is 3.72m high when the loading arm is fully extended, as it would be to load a row of bales on top of the bottom two rows.
The trailer bed is 1.53m high, with the vehicle being mounted on a pendular tandem axle fitted with flotation tyres (648 550/45-22.5 1lTL) which means its weight, even when loaded to its full 21.8 tonne capacity, is well spread. It weighs 5 tonnes when unladen.
