Two new variable chamber round baler-wrapper combinations now available from Kuhn Farm Machinery offer the versatility to work efficiently in silage, hay or straw.
The VBP 3165 and VBP 3195 are designed with Kuhn’s Progressive Density baling chamber which uses two chamber rollers, a starter roller and five endless baling belts to produce evenly shaped bales. Belt pressure increases as the bale grows and can be adjusted from the tractor cab to compensate for variations in crop type quality and to maintain a constant density as the bale is formed. The Progressive Density system is key to these combinations having the versatility to bale (and wrap if necessary) a range of wet and dry crops: from hay and straw (5-20% moisture), to haylage (18-35% moisture) and silage (35-80% moisture).
Both machines are available with Kuhn s Opticut 14 or Opticut 23 intake rotors. The Opticut system uses a 2.30m pick-up and patented integral cutting rotor with 14 or 23 knives to provide a cutting length of ≥45mm (Opticut 14) or ≥70mm (Opiticut 23). The cutting rotor is manufactured from Hardox® wear-resistant steel for improved longevity. Kuhn’s Dropfloor and hydraulic rotor disengagement system enables blockages to be cleared quickly and effortlessly.
A simple and sturdy drive system using just three main chains is used on these machines, all being designed to have a low maintenance requirement and with the option of automatic chain lubrication.
Minimising idle time is important for the efficiency of a baler-wrapper combination and this requires rapid transfer of the bale from the formation chamber to the wrapping table. Fast and secure transfer even when working in steep sloping fields is possible in the VBP machines due to the side guide protection plates and an improved twin loading fork system. The four-belt wrapping table with two large rollers and four side cones provides maximum bale traction, even bale rotation and the right amount of film overlap, whatever the bale shape.
Film application is controlled by Kuhn’s Intelliwrap system which allows the operator to select the number of film layers (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and to adjust film overlap to match local conditions, crop quality and storage periods. The optional 3D wrapping system, which uses pivoting pre-stretchers, can also be specified: this system packs a tighter bale by removing more air and ensures the edges of the bale are better protected by creating a 20cm overlap across this vulnerable zone. It also prevents rigid grass stems from puncturing the first layers of film by applying the film in the same direction that the bale is turning on the wrapping table.
Both VBP models can be supplied with, and controlled by, Kuhn’s new ISOBUS terminals, the 5.4 inch (14.3cm) CCI 50 and the 12.1 inch (30.5cm) CCI 1200, both of which can be used to control any ISOBUS-ready machine. The CCI 50 is a touchscreen terminal but also has 12 back-lit function keys, an auto-brightness sensor, and ports for video input, USB data transfer, GPS antenna input and biomass sensor input. The CCI 1200 features a large touchscreen display which can be used either horizontally or vertically and is easy to view in direct sunlight.A The unit’s flexible layout display can be configured to suit the individual operator’s preferences or machine’s requirements and features a split-screen function which enables the operator to view and control two machines in tandem. The option of displaying several mini-view windows also enables the operator to monitor multiple parameters at once.
