Kuhn’s new i-BIO+(Bale In One) round baler-wrapper now features a patented twin film-on-film wrapping system designed to help reduce wrapping costs and make plastic recycling easier.
The unique system uses a two reel film binding system which applies film on the cylindrical side of the bale in the bale chamber, and according to Kuhn offers several advantages over other binding systems.
Firstly, the bale oxygen barrier round the cylindrical side is increased resulting in better silage quality; and secondly, as pre-stretched film reduces bale expansion, operators get tighter wrapped and better preserved bales.
Other advantages of the film-on-film wrapping system, according to Kuhn, include better shaped bales, easier unwrapping and improved waste management.
In addition, operators need not buy separate binding and wrapping films but can instead use standard sized 25µm x 750mm x 1500m rolls.
Kuhn’s user-friendly system which hydraulically folds the film reels into their loading and unloading positions allows quicker and easier roll loading.
Operators can also opt for the conventional net binding with the i-BIO+ and can easily switch between net and film binding systems to suit different crops.
The i-BIO+ produces fixed size bales measuring 125cm in diameter and 122cm in height. It features a 230cm wide pick-up unit with five tine bars and cam-track technology for improved contour following.
The new machine is available with two intake rotor options – the OptiCut 14 or OptiCut 23 which feature 14 knives and 23 knives respectively.
The OptiCut 14 option allows for a minimum cutting length of 70mm and allows operators to use the knives in five different formations (0, 4, 7, 7 or 14) to produce the desired chop length.
The OptiCut 23 offers a minimum cutting length of 45mm, with its 23 knives used in a 0, 7, 11, 12 or 23 arrangement.
Each knife is individually spring-protected against damage from foreign objects.
A standard rotor disengagement and drop floor technology comes standard on the i-BIO+ to ensure fast and easy clearance when blockages occur.
Bales are formed by 18 PowerTrack rollers with integrated stainless steel low-friction plates which helps significantly reduce power requirement.
All internal working mechanisms are powered by high quality long-life drive chains complemented by a Beka Max continuous chain oiling system for maximum strength and reliability.
The six rollers at the bottom of the chamber serve as a wrapping table during the bale wrapping process.
Kuhn’s high tech IntelliWrap system takes care of the bale wrapping process and allows operators to select the number of film layers using the control system.
According to Kuhn, the system is capable of applying film to bales at speeds of up to 50 revolutions per minute (rpm) to produce well-shaped, tightly sealed bales for improved crop preservation.
The i-BIO+ is ISOBUS compatible, with all functions managed via a single, full-colour display terminal.
Weighing less than 3,700kg, the i-BIO+ is compact, manoeuvrable and is therefore ideal for use on hilly terrain and within small field systems.