KUHN unveils next-gen large square baler

KUHN’s range topping SB 1290 iD baler from its next generation SB square baler series has arrived on Australian soil.

KUHN Australia Marketing Manager and Baler Product Specialist, Michael Murer, said the new baler offers hay farmers improved profitability, reduced transport costs and efficiency in all crop conditions.

“The KUHN SB 1290 iD is designed with simple, efficient techniques like integral rotor and power density that produce rock-hard, perfectly shaped bales," he said.

The KUHN SB 1290 iD can work in various crops such as silage, hay, straw, lucerne, maize straw and sugar cane leaves, according to KUHN.

Where crop cutting is required, the OMNICUT 23 cutting system with individual hydraulic protection on the knives ensures a perfect cutting quality regardless of working speed and crop type, KUHN added.

The SB 1290 iD baler is equipped with KUHN’s iD high density baling system which was presented with an innovation award at the world’s largest agricultural event, Agritechnica, in 2013.

The key feature of the iD system is the double plunger in the bale chamber which reduces wear and pressure on the plungers while at the same time creating a more dense and uniform bale.

“The SB 1290 iD boosts profitability by producing heavier bales, increasing the compaction by 60 plus tonnes and provides the highest density bale by a margin of 25 per cent over conventional balers,” Murer explained.

“Even in the most challenging circumstances it achieves this through the TWINPACT double plunger technique that formulates higher density bales whilst using less power and avoiding massive peak loads on the main gear box.”

A newly designed crop guard, in combination with a torque increase on the rotor and on the feeder fork driveline ensures up to 15 per cent higher intake capacity on the new baler, KUHN said.

The KUHN patented torque regulation system on all SB series models serves to ensure a perfect balance between capacity and density. The crank angle position sensor and plunger rod load pins measure the total machine load. Precise machine load measurements are performed throughout the complete plunger cycle to ensure the correct bale weight is achieved. In turn, heavier but denser bales help to increase transport and handling efficiency.

The SB 1290 iD features smart designs in and around the machine to improve component accessibility for maintenance purposes. For example, the knotter deck is equipped with solid stairs and a safety railing.

KUHN has also equipped the SB 1290 iD with a heavier flywheel, load sensing hydraulics and torque regulation system to cope with the extra demands of the new baler while providing a smooth operation and optimal comfort for the operator.