Ireland-based manufacturer McHale has added bigger models to its range of variable-chamber balers after listening to customers in major overseas markets including Australia.
During the past three years McHale has worked with clients worldwide in both design and testing of its largest variable chamber baler, the V8, which can produce a bale up to 1.9 metres in diameter.
For the 2021 season McHale will introduce the V8940 non-chopper baler and the V8950 15-knife chopper baler.
These high output machines are designed to produce dense bales from 0.6 to 1.9m in diameter.
McHale marketing and sales director Martin McHale said the increase in bale size and improved density meant the McHale V8 baler could produce bales with up to 30 per cent more crop in a 1.9m bale then what was achievable in a 1.68m V6 model baler.
He said the new McHale V8 variable chamber baler range had a number of key features including new pick-ups with a choice of cam track or cam-less, larger lateral feed augers, larger rotors, a drop floor unblocking system, bale chambers with three heavy duty endless belts and automatic greasing.
"The new McHale V8 variable chamber baler range is fitted with heavy-duty components ensuring long life, high levels of reliability and a machine that is rugged enough to handle the toughest of crops and ground conditions," he said.
"Our new V8940 and V8950 have brought baling to a new level with higher density, increased bale size, better intake and easier maintenance.
"All V8 balers feature a new pick-up with a five-tine bar cam track pick-up or six-tine bar cam-less pick-up option with double crop roller to choose from.
"McHale has increased the size of the lateral feed augers which direct crop into the rotor while also increasing the rotor diameter to improve intake.
"All balers in the new V8 range come with a new adaptive intake which has been specifically designed to allow the intake area to automatically adjust to changes in material flow.
"As standard, a 15-knife chopper unit is available on the McHale V8950. With all 15 knifes engaged on the V8950, a theoretical chop length of about 65mm can be delivered.
"Knives on the V8950 baler can be engaged and disengaged from the tractor cab.
"An optional selectable knife system is available which consists of two knife banks that allow for various knife configurations to be chosen to allow 0, 7, 8, or 15 knives to work.
"And as standard, all machines in the V8 range come fitted with three heavy-duty endless belts.
"The belts are extremely hard wearing and are reinforced with synthetic material which ensures that the belts can absorb and apply high pressure to the material in the bale chamber," Mr McHale said.
