New Holland BigBaler High-Density Baler

New Holland launches its new generation of BigBaler high-density balers, delivering unmatched capacity and density and giving fresh momentum to the productivity and profitability of both agricultural contractors and individual farmers baking a variety of crops

• Up to 20 % more capacity and bales with more consistent density, for higher productivity

• The performance of the all-new MaxiSweep™ pick-up provides virtually unlimited feeding in all types of crop

• Total pick-up versatility (silage, hay, cereals, maize, rapeseed, etc.) ensures multi-crop productivity

• SmartFill™, the best filling control system, ensures well-shaped bales of uniform density

• Plunger speed is increased to 48 strokes/minute for higher field output

• The very distinctive look makes maintenance easier and enhances safety

• The new knotter cover improves cleaning and reinforces the legendary reliability of New Holland double-knot tying.

• The IntelliView™ IV colour touchscreen monitor lets you manage bales on a large screen

• Lighting and operator comfort have been improved to boost performance

• Efficient road transport and field manoeuvrability

• Data transfer to PC, geolocation... These new balers are open to the latest New Holland Precision Farming applications

• BigBaler is ready to receive a TwinCutter™ boom-mounted chopper, guaranteeing fine, uniform chopping for certain applications such as poultry house bedding.

The range comprises four models, which produce bales from 80x70cm to 120x90cm. Switching from one crop to another was considered from the very start of the design, which is why BigBaler delivers excellent performance in conventional crops as well as in less traditional ones, such as sugar cane and maize, a perfect asset for the fast-emerging biomass sector.

?The new BigBaler series is the culmination of more than 35 years of baling expertise, and proudly flies the flag for our complete range of balers,? says Bob Hatz, Hay & Forage and Cereal Production Manager.

?BigBaler is built at our Harvest Centre of Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium, and was designed from the outset to meet the most stringent requirements for quality, productivity and reliability. More than 200.000 bales, the equivalent of ten seasons of production, were formed before the first BigBaler even left the production line.?

The performance of the all-new MaxiSweep™ pick-up ensures multi-crop productivity

The MaxiSweep™ pick-up has been completely redesigned to ensure that all crops are baled safely. Tine strength has been significantly improved by fitting 6 mm tines as standard on CropCutter™ models, increasing durability when baling difficult crops such as maize stalks.

The addition of a roller windguard ensures a smooth flow from the swath to the baler, in order to produce uniform bales. Pick-up has been further improved by the pick-up side guards.

Their distinctive 'S' shape draws in all the crop, even in the tightest turns.

The edge of the pick-up now features crop guides, to help every last tine collect each strand of crop.

The new feed roller, behind the roller windguard, consists, on the left and right of the pick-up, of a system of two counter-rotating augers that efficiently transfer and guide the crop towards the feeding system (packer or CropCutter, depending on the model).

Even in the largest swaths, even at high working speed, the crop is forced into the machine.

Many versions for tailored crop handling

BigBaler offers three feeding systems. The standard packer has two six-tine forks on models 870 and 890, or three nine-tine forks on models 1270 and 1290.

This technology carries the crop directly into the pre-compression chamber, in order to obtain long, intact straw or hay, which is perfectly suited to equestrian applications, for example.

The densest bales, perfect for the biomass sector, are produced by the CropCutter™ models. The 'W' rotor is designed specifically for each baler model and its chop length can be configured as required.

An access hatch to the cutting system is also provided to facilitate maintenance and individual knife settings. BigBaler models 870 and 890 can be configured with 19 knives for a short cut, while BigBaler models 1270 and 1290 are equipped with 29 knives respectively.

These knives can be adjusted individually to set the chop length: the short cut chops the crop to a length of only 4 cm. This option is perfect for silage, for straw intended for poultry houses, and for biomass businesses.

SmartFill™, the best filling control system, ensures well-shaped bales of uniform density

The BigBaler pre-compression chamber has proven its worth. It has been further improved by the introduction of SmartFill™ flow indicators.

This system uses a network of sensors installed at the entrance of the pre-compression chamber to monitor the distribution of the crop entering the chamber, in order to guarantee the production of square bales of uniform density throughout.

This information is displayed on the IntelliView™ IV cab monitor so that the operator can check at a glance that the crop is being fed evenly.

If not, large arrows appear on the screen to recommend that the operator drive further to the left or to the right on the swath.

Plunger speed is increased to 48 strokes/minute for higher field output

The all-new reinforced main gearbox has allowed a 14 % increase in plunger speed, which results in a faster forward speed. Productivity is thus significantly improved.

All this has been made possible by the introduction of a large-diameter, high-inertia flywheel, which neutralises variations in rate.

The very distinctive look makes maintenance easier

BigBaler features the distinctive New Holland styling. Characterised by elegant, flowing lines that seem to cut through the air, this typically New Holland design, perfectly in line with the harvest products, offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance and safety.

The ultra-wide, one-piece front cover opens on gas struts, an industry first.

This cover provides completely clear access to all moving parts, as well as to the automatic grease and oil lubricators, for quick daily maintenance and therefore reduced maintenance time.

The one-piece side covers use the same opening logic and form an airtight seal around the twine storage to prevent dust ingress, thereby improving knotter performance and machine cleanliness.

The service platform at the top of the baler is completely clear, which makes maintenance easier and at the same time reduces the areas where debris could accumulate.

The improved knotter cover and impressive cleaning performance boost baling productivity

New Holland has pioneered double-knot tying technology for more than 35 years. Subsequent developments have led to the best knotting performance on the market.

Thanks to the new knotter protection covers, the operator can be sure that no debris will reach the knotters, thus preventing very costly knotting failures.

In addition, the airflow around the knotter has been studied.

The areas where airflow stagnated have been identified, and three fans have been precisely positioned to automatically remove any debris that could clog the system.

The IntelliView™ IV colour touchscreen monitor lets you manage bales on a large screen

For baling at maximum speed, operators must be able to control all operating parameters intuitively and at their fingertips. The IntelliView™ IV monitor, standard on BigBaler, offers a screen that is 50% larger.

Bale length, density and moisture content, among other things, can be analysed and adjusted while driving.

The knotter fans and the automatic greasing and oiling systems can even be controlled via the screen.

BigBaler is also fully ISOBUS compatible, providing single-screen technology and seamless integration with tractors equipped with the SideWinder™ II armrest.

Lighting and operator comfort have been improved to boost performance

The revised lighting optimises light distribution around the baler and makes it possible to keep forming optimal bales, even at night.

In addition, two dedicated LED work lights have been placed on the pick-up to flood the work area with light and help the operator work in dark or low-light conditions.

The comfort package was designed with professional baling operations in mind. The right-hand guardrail, located on the service platform, further improves safety. The extra-large toolbox and the water tank for washing hands provide the finishing touch.

Efficient road transport and unmatched field manoeuvrability

BigBaler was designed with transport in mind, and can be configured to comply with the transport width limit of 2,55 metres, with a specific tyre configuration.

The tandem axle, the widest in the range, considerably reduces ground pressure to allow crops to regrow quickly. It is therefore perfectly suited to hay and silage, which are cut several times per season.

In addition, all tyre combinations remain within the imposed limit of 3 metres, for stable high-speed transport between fields.

BigBaler retains the exceptional manoeuvrability of its predecessors, thanks to its chassis design.

Data transfer to PC, geolocation...

These new balers are open to the latest New Holland Precision Farming applications

BigBaler offers advanced Precision Farming solutions, such as bale weight, which can be monitored and analysed using the on-board ActiveWeigh™ weighing system.

This system has been awarded a medal for innovation. The operator can also record moisture content, date and time, and the GPS location of the bales.

All the data for each bale can be downloaded using a USB stick, to create accurate yield mapping data.

Inputs can thus be adjusted to improve productivity and profitability in the following seasons. The Crop ID™ system makes it possible to transfer all the data to an RFID tag, so it can be consulted later and enable bale traceability. This system will be available from the 2013 season.

BigBaler is ready to receive a TwinCutter™ boom-mounted chopper

The BigBaler series is fully compatible with the TwinCutter™ boom-mounted chopper. The rotor with 88 serrated, reversible knives guarantees super-fine, uniform chopping, whatever the conditions.

This finer chopping produces denser bales, ideal for straw-fired power plants.

This super-fine chopping also provides an excellent source of crude fibre, a valuable addition to livestock feed rations.

Evolution of bale numbering

New Holland has applied its numbering strategy to BigBaler so that users immediately recognise its performance. The BigBaler name is the natural evolution of the current 'BB' designation.

The first one or two digits, '8' or '12', represent the bale width in centimetres, '8' for 80 cm and '12' for 120 cm. The last two digits refer to the bale height in centimetres, '70' or '90'.