Krone celebrates 30 years Down Under with new baler launch

German ag machinery brand, Krone, has been offering its wares and services in Australia for three decades as of 2023, and it’s celebrating the milestone by launching two new square balers with productivity improvements.

The six-knotter Big Pack 1290 HDP without a cutter and the Big Pack 1290 HDP VC with the VariCut chopping system joins the HDP High Speed and eight-knotter HDP II balers in Krone Australia’s current range.

Kubota Australia Product Manager, Ashley Swayn, said Krone Australia has two key objectives for its 30th year – to reduce the total cost of ownership and improve comfort.

“After testing the 1290 HDP for several years in Australian conditions, our engineers focused on the small details to improve the next generation of Big Pack Balers,” he said.

“The new Big Pack HDP balers perform at the same performance level as earlier versions of the HDP and HDP Xtreme six-knotter balers. However, improvements to the Variable Filling System (VFS) have increased throughput, density, and bale shape, reducing running costs.

“After listening to customer feedback, Krone implemented several changes to the VFS system trips and internal components.

“The ability to adjust the biscuit and trigger point from the cab will ensure better filling of the bale from top to bottom. Bigger VFS bearings have taken over from the larger HDP II balers, there are stronger components on the cam track, and more fingers on the feeding unit to boost performance and extend its working life.”

Among the main new features of the Big Pack 1290 HDP balers is Krone’s PowerClean knotter fan system. New hydraulically driven fans, on top of the knotter stack, direct air pressure under the hood and blow out any foreign material. The air pressure is guided behind the twine boxes down towards the axle, keeping the baler clean.

The design of the new Twine Boxes ensures material does not build up. The Twine Boxes can be folded in two different modes from the cabin. One mode allows the user to fold it down onto the ground for easier twine loading, like the HDP II, while the other mode hydraulically angles the boxes.

Some other upgrades include improvements to the bale chamber’s wear liners to ensure machine longevity; an option for the bale ejector to either remove all bales or the last bale off the ramp; and improved bale ejector tines that engage more into the bale.

Swayn said the Krone Big Pack HDP balers were a significant update to the current range.

“Since 1993, Krone’s Big Pack Balers have been helping Australian farmers boost productivity,” he said. “These new fifth-generation models prove Krone continues to lead the way with innovation and technology.”

The new models, as well as the full Big Pack Series, are now available for order from Kubota dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit Krone Australia’s website.