Kverneland has taken its time unveiling the new FastBale. It seems that first impressions last, and this will be a big year for the company. If it proves to be a hit, it may well be the game-changer.

The concept of the machine is that it is a non-stop round baler wrapper combination that integrates a pre-chamber with a main chamber and a wrapper. Baling and wrapping are carried out simultaneously, much like most combination machines; the main innovation is the pre-chamber.

The pre-chamber design allows for the bale to be started in the first chamber and filled to around two-thirds of the finished bale size. This bale is then transferred to the second chamber where the bale is finished to its preset density. Once the bale is full, the crop flow is diverted back to the first or pre-chamber to make the next bale.

The net wrap is applied to the finished bale in the second chamber. The tied bale moves on to the wrapper for film application. This all happens uninterrupted with no clutching or stopping the machine.

Kverneland devised a wrapper frame mounted on a parallel linkage. This allows the wrapper to be lowered to meet the completed bale leaving the chamber. It simply rolls on to the wrapping platform.

The twin satellite wrapping arms rotate in a vertical plane.

Once complete, the wrapper is lowered, and the rear wrapper roller is then raised, gently releasing the wrapped bale on to the ground.

The latest enhancements to the FastBale include a bale-tipping kit to place bales on their side after being released from the wrapper, and the development of a film-on-film applicator kit for those looking at this technology.

Net loading

The net is loaded between the two chambers, in the middle of the machine. To help with this, Kverneland has designed a low loading point. A hydraulic ram lifts the net into a position that allows the operator slide it across to the netting system. A spare roll of net can be carried in this arm also.

Output

Kverneland says that over 100 bales per hour are achievable with the FastBale. A lot of that will depend on conditions. Wrapping 100 bales per hour will require at least three rolls of wrap, with a twin dispenser that will require one change of the wrap spool. Most balers pause for 20 seconds to apply the net wrap. Non-stop baling could offer time savings of 200 minutes over a 10-hour working day, according to demonstrator John Colgan from Kverneland.

John says that another advantage is the reduction in clutching and stopping the tractor, reducing operator fatigue. The hope is that the FastBale might eliminate the need for extra hours worked, or a second baler for most contractors. Interestingly, the FastBale is the design concept of an engineer from Mayo, a region with plenty of experience with baled silage.