New AGCO Large Square Baler (High Density)

Disclosure: I've known about this for a while now and have been periodically checking for a press release before I post about it here. It appears that day is today!

http://ift.tt/2wS97as

 

It's probably not a secret that AGCO wanted back the market share that Krone took with their high density balers. While the 2270XD was quickly pushed out as a stop-gap, it was obvious that a whole new platform was going to be needed to take back the crown. The Hesston factory appears to have gone back to a clean sheet of paper and designed up a next-generation platform to build their HD baler on. It does share some big similarities with the current production balers such as the packer and stuffer mechanism, but it appears everything else around it is all new. The big highlights:

-All new gearbox operating at 50 strokes-per-minute and 760kN (85 tons!). For reference, a XD operates at 460kN, max. I found a spec sheet and they're recommending 280+ hp for the packer version.
-A step-up gearbox on the tongue to keep the PTO from the tractor flat and also spin the flywheel/gearbox at 1500 rpm for more energy without a heavier flywheel. Krone currently does this, but at about 1200 rpm flywheel.
-Cam-clutch on the main gearbox instead of a shearbolt for protection.
-Still chain drive, like before. Still using Diamond chains.
-Per a spec sheet, standard with 620/55R-26.5 tandem tires. Optional 620/50R-22.5 or 710/50Rx26.5 tires. No single axle, due to the weight.
-All new pickup that has a floating top auger and pivots off the lower augers instead of the packer crank. That should get rid of pickups shaking from packer crank run-out. Tine-bar count also increases from 4 to 5.
-New knotters to handle the larger twine needed to support the higher loads. It appears they had to work with some twine manufacturers to develop a twine strong enough to support this baler. It appears they're sticking with 6 knotters and not going to 8.
-Bale chamber is now open-corner at the bottom, similar to Krone. This should help tremendously with dirt build-up that is seen in stover.
-New fiberglass shielding with a front nose cone that is similar to New Holland, opening up access around the front of the baler.
-Twine boxes open up like a gull-wing door. It's only about 20-30 degrees, but enough that you can at least physically get behind the boxes to service things like the hay dogs. You're still taking a dirt bath, however.
-Longer tongue to help duals clear the pickup and the tongue is replaceable.
-Hydraulic tank moved down to ground level (inside the tongue).
-All new software. I've had a chance to play with it a bit; there's going to be a learning curve as they changed the navigation a little, but it looks great and shows plenty of information. This includes displaying the plunger position to aid starting the baler.

Based on the numbers I've seen, this absolutely bests Krone's HD. Capacity wise they're pretty close to equal, but the AGCO baler beats it on bale weight with a good margin. That said, what I'm really looking forward to is seeing this trickle down into the rest of their line-up. The current balers have been in production since about 2006; I think it's high time for an update.

New AGCO Large Square Baler (High Density)