Massey Ferguson Introduces Company’s First Silage Baler At Farm Progress Show

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Available in RB1460V and RB418OV variable-chamber models, this baler is designed to produce high-density silage and corn stover bales for small diary operations and small- to midsized cow/calf operations. (Photo courtesy of AGCO.)

Massey Ferguson recently introduced its first silage baler at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The RB Series Silage Baler, available in RB1460V and RB418OV variable-chamber models, joins the company’s large and small square and round baler lineups and produces high-density silage and corn stover bales. Featuring Massey’s HydroFlex Control two-stage anti-plugging system, an Xtracut 17 rotor, and the Varionet wrapping system, the baler is “ideal” for small diary operations and small- to midsize cow/calf operations seeking to bale high-moisture forages as food for livestock, Massey Ferguson says.

Forage Drydown

Matt LeCroy, AGCO tactical marketing manager for hay and forage, says forage drydown is a big challenge in regions with high humidity and frequent rains. “Harvesting forage as baleage is an effective way to produce a quality feedstuff in environments where drydown is a concern,” he says. This is becoming more popular with dairy and beef operations because they can “cut, rake, bale, package, and store the crop in one day without sacrificing feed quality,” LeCroy says.

The RB1460V produces a 4- x 5-foot bale with 35.5- to 63-inch diameters (1.2- x 1.5-meter; 90 to 160 centimeters). The RB418OV generates a 4- x 6-foot bale with 35.5- to 71-inch diameters (1.2- x 1.8-meter; 90 to 180 centimeters). The baler’s 84-inch (213-centimeter) pickup width and five-tine heavy-duty bar design, meanwhile, allow for clean pick-up of heavier wet forages. Additionally, a large coil the tines incorporate translates to greater flexibility and less risk of tines breaking. Further, because the pickup is cam-less, it has relatively few moving parts, meaning it’s quieter and less susceptible to wear.

Combatting Plugs

HydroFlex Control integrates an automatic, hydraulically controlled mechanical floor that flexes downward under the rotor to let bunched crop pass through before it plugs. The Xtracut 17 implementation includes two sets of hydraulically controlled knife banks. From the cab, operators have options to not chop or to engage 8, 9, or 17 knives to enable cutting lengths up to 2.65 inches (6.7 centimeters).

Source: AGCO

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