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Vicon lifts the lid on versatile, more efficient 5 series balers

Hay equipment specialist Vicon unveiled its brand new 5 series balers at a dealer launch event in Echuca this week, just in time for the upcoming hay and silage season. TOM DICKSON was there.

The Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum located in the rural town of Echuca in Victoria has fascinated many a tourist and beer lover with its massive collection of beer paraphernalia. Its walls are adorned with over 17,000 beer cans from Australia and around the world; while beer barrels can be seen hanging from the ceiling.

In addition, museum owner and avid collector Neil Thomas has a secondary collection of vintage farm machinery displayed just outside the museum which consists of old balers, sprayers and furphy farm water carts. This week, the museum provided the backdrop for Vicon’s launch of its brand new 5 series high performance balers.

About 35 dealers from Victoria, South Australia and southern New South Wales attended the low-key launch event organised by Vicon’s Australian distributor PFG Australia.

The new 5 series features a 2.2 metre pick-up with small diameter pick-up reel, a new Powerfeed rotor intake, drop floor, three different bale density settings, easy net roll loading and an easy-to-operate Focus Control monitor.

According to PFG Australia product specialist Daniel Bennett, an outstanding feature of the new RV5116RN and RV5116RNT balers is the PowerBind net wrap system which provides fast and accurate net wrapping of bales.

“This completely new system is a lot simpler than previous designs and has a lot less moving parts,” he says.

“The net is fed into the bale chamber by an injection arm guaranteeing instant commencement of wrapping in any conditions irrespective of wind or crop type.

“This is easily the biggest improvement; it is one thousand times better.”

Vicon RV5116RNT Baler -Powerbind Net Wrap System _2892
The new PowerBind netwrap system has a brake tension release mechanism incorporated to help start net flow into the chamber.

Tension comes off the net as it is being fed into the bale, and as soon as the net is grabbed by the bale the brake engages to return tension to the net wrap producing firm bales.

The RV5116RN only features the net wrap system while the RV5116RNT is equipped for both twine and net wrapping, offering producers more choice and versatility. Two spare rolls of net and eight coils of twine can be stored on the baler.

Another notable feature of the balers is the PowerFeed rotor intake which has 13 rotor fingers proactively forcing material into the bale chamber for higher intake speed and capacity.

Other design improvements over the line-up’s predecessor include the use of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) for its side panels, a more durable material compared to fibreglass.

Higher capacity gas struts on the balers provide more structural stability and make opening and closing the machines easier.

The balers’ wider tyres give a much more stable ride and steel hydraulic lines reduce the risk of down time with damaged hydraulic hoses.

The 5 series bale chamber offers a combination of two rollers and five wide laced belts.

The mixed chamber ensures a smooth bale start whatever the intake system, offering smooth bale rotation and reduced crop loss even in dry conditions.

According to PFG Australia area manager David Bulman, the five belts are easier to repair in the paddock compared to an endless belt system.

In the event of a blockage, the drop floor of the balers can be activated from within the cabin allowing the blockage to be sucked into the baler.

A new and improved LED light package is installed as standard for extra safety at night.

Control of the baler is managed via the Focus Terminal which is made in-house by Vicon and is compatible with other implements manufactured by Vicon’s parent company, Kverneland.

Bulman says there are about 40 units currently on their way to dealerships around the country and will retail from $54,900 including GST.

For more information or to locate your nearest dealer, visit Vicon Australia’s website

Find Vicon round balers for sale.

Photography: Tom Dickson

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