Development of a continuous baler by Lely is on track prior to a commercial launch with trials across several countries of production line models.
The Lely Welger CB concept baler, introduced in 2014, has since undergone more than 200 trials in various countries and differing conditions worldwide.
Continuous baling offers significant improvement in round baling by allowing production of consistent, high quality bales at high capacity without the need for operators to stop the baler to tie and release.
Six balers have come off the production line for select customers in the UK, Poland and the US to test this season.
The machines were produced by technical experts from Lely and their US-based partner, Vermeer.
Lely’s baler product manager, Giles Troff said production was well organised.
“We used some new techniques that have made the production process easier and more economical, such as a new assembly method that meant easier mounting of the weighty, 22 metre belt, and modification of some parts to optimise the welding process.”
Earlier trials during 2015 incorporated as many conditions and crops as possible - from silage, hay and straw to the more unusual, like corn stalks.
Tests for performance, efficiency and durability of the prototype machines under variable scenarios were held in Europe and the US.
Lely’s manager of product development for the Lely Welger CB Concept, Malte Schlichting said they “also discovered some areas that require further improvement before we determine the precise commercial configuration of the baler.”
Difficult baling, including of cornstalks has been achieved with a modified friction bar close to the rotor to improve pick-up, feed and bale start.
The hydraulic system, gearbox and chain drive arrangement have been revised since the first models and are also working well.
“The hydraulics are more integrated and the new gearbox is smaller, more efficient and tailored more specifically for the needs of the continuous baler,” Mr Schlichting said..
“The improvements have enabled a reduction in the energy required from the tractor.”
Software development is one area that Lely will fine tune further, although the preliminary software already allows proper operation of the system.
“Striking a balance between perfect synchronization of the continuous baling process and control of operations is challenging,” Mr Schlichting said.
“We must ensure that the system is safe and efficient, but keep the operator interface as simple as possible.”
After addressing the remaining challenges, final field tests are planned in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, UK and US.