A new option for New Holland’s BigBaler range offers the potential for greater productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency and operator comfort by automating key baler and tractor functions
Operating a BigBaler manually demands long hours of continuous operator focus, with regular steering adjustment to follow the swath, plus observation of swath density and crop flow to prevent overloads and blockages, changing tractor speed to match.
In addition, to ensure production of consistent bales, the driver must observe the bale fill indicator and correct the tractor steering accordingly, while also monitoring bale slice numbers and weights.
By proactively automating tractor steering according to the swath path, and speed adjustment with regard to swath volume, New Holland’s IntelliSense bale automation relieves the driver of these demands.
At its heart is a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor located at the front of the tractor cab roof. This emits a laser pulse several meters ahead of the tractor which is reflected off the swath.
The system will automatically adjust the steering, which is then fine-tuned not only to follow the swath, but also according to the baler’s plunger load sensors, ensuring even filling of the chamber.
It can work in daylight or at night and is prepared to deal with dusty conditions, low contrast targets delivering great bale quality, saving fuel and increasing operator comfort for long working days and even night.
The swath cross-section measured by the LiDAR is also used to govern tractor speed control, reducing it when necessary to avoid overloads, and increasing it in thin swath areas.
This will significantly increase productivity, as the system adjusts the forward speed always to its optimum – even during long harvesting days.
CNH Australia/New Zealand product manager for hay and forage Sune Nielsen says he is delighted with the IntelliSense technology.
“I had the opportunity to validate this system locally, having spent many hours behind the wheel of a baler in the past, and it was pleasing to see how simple and effective IntelliSense really is,” he says.
Nielsen says it is not always straightforward to make a uniform bale, especially if the windrows are narrow or not uniform, and if the baler is not fed correctly the bales can come out banana-shaped with more material on one side that can also lead to broken twine.
“The IntelliSense takes care of this, steering the tractor so material is evenly distributed into the baler feed system,” he says.
Two baling modes
IntelliSense offers the operator two assisted baling modes which can be used combined or independent from each other.
Feed rate can be controlled via IntelliCruise II, in which the maximum speed limit and number of slices per bale can be set, with a low number equating to thicker slices and a higher throughput.
The tractor will then continuously adjust its forward speed to match the target slice number.
The second mode is Swath Guidance, using the tractor’s SmartSteer technology.
This allows hands-free driving whenever a swath is detected ahead of the tractor, and ensures the swath enters the centre of the pick-up, making adjustments as necessary according to the plunger load cells to ensure a perfect bale shape.
Both functions can be disengaged at the press of a button or by moving the steering wheel.
IntelliSense is available on all Plus models from end of 2022 onwards.
It is also available as a kit which allows to retrofit it on all existing BigBaler HD models starting from model year 2020.
It can work with all New Holland T7 LWB, T7 HD and T8 AutoCommand tractors equipped with Class 3 ISOBUS unlocked for steering and speed control.
A specific intuitive run screen has been developed to provide a simple overview of the IntelliSense functions and key main information, while differential GPS provides a sufficient signal, with RTK not necessary.
The system was also recognised with a silver medal award at Agritechnica and is now available in Australia and New Zealand for the New Holland Big Baler Plus range and Big Baler High Density models for 2024.