Torque Talk - Kubota talks up Krone

KUBOTA believes it's on a winner with the new Krone BiG Pack High Speed range of large square balers.

Based on feedback from farmers at field days throughout Australia, the company believes the BiG Pack will become a top seller.

According to Kubota, it delivers 20 per cent more throughput, an increase that has been made feasible by three major modifications - the addition of a power-driven feed roller to the cam-less, pick-up; an increase in throughput capacity of the Variable Fill System (VFS) packer system and an increase in plunger strokes.

The Active Pick, which has been chosen as standard equipment for all Australian Big Pack balers, is arranged closer to the packer and rotor cutter, to provide a swifter crop transfer.

The new design that features a chain-driven, feed roller behind the usual crop roller, will lead to a big boost in throughputs, particularly in difficult conditions like extremely dry material or brittle short straw for example.

The BiG Pack VFS pre-chamber packer system now has five tine bars versus six tine bars on previous models and in increase in volume of 18pc to feed more crops through the machine faster.

The system operates in five stages to feed the material into the pre-chamber where it is compressed before it is allowed to enter the baling chamber.

When the pre-chamber is filled with material, the new cam-controlled sensing rake is pushed out of the VFS chamber, a system that ensures the machine produces uniform, dense bales, even when dealing with small and narrow swaths.

Due to the higher speed of the packer and to improve durability in this area, some modifications have been done to the size of bearings and the cam tracks of the VFS.

The third major modification is to the number of plunger strokes. On the BiG Pack 1270, 1290 and 1290 HDP, plunger strokes have been increased by 18pc from 38 to 45 strokes a minute.

Kubota says this also contributes to the 20pc more throughput of these balers.

Tribute to Tribine

KANSAS manufacturer Tribine Harvester last week unveiled its commercial version of a combine harvester prototype linked to a 30 tonne grain tank.

It arguably was the pick of machinery presentations at the Iowa Progress Show in Boone, Iowa (pronounced 'eyeowah').

According to company president Ben Dillon, the appropriately named Tribine header is the first fundamentally new harvester architecture in more than 60 years.

"The articulated Tribine performs all of the functions of a combine, only better and faster," he said. "It eliminates the need for a grain cart and tractor running parallel with the combine."

Ben said four aligned low ground pressure tyres, with centre articulation and pivoting rear axle, not only reduce compaction but only leave one set of wheel tracks.

"We also provide a significant efficiency improvement in what is the world's largest threshing and cleaning system, providing up to twice the cleaning area of any other harvesting machine."

The header employs a large diameter rotor with 270 degree concave wrap, which feeds a cleaning system of considerable width using an advanced pneumatic cleaning method.

A Class 7 machine in terms of its threshing output, the Tribine is powered by a 6.7L Cummins propulsion engine (280kW, 375hp) and a 298kW (400hp) 9L Cummins harvesting engine.

"The dual engine design ensures dedicated power is always available to run the cleaning system in the highest of yields and toughest of conditions," Ben said.

After the clean grain is separated, two side discharge choppers propel the finely chopped chaff out from the Tribine, for a swath width up to 15.2 metres (50ft).

The grain tank can be unloaded in less than two minutes, while a 1890 litre fuel tank will keep you going on a long shift.

The innovative cab has no steering wheel being replaced with a single steering joystick control.

In the steering column area, the glass cab floor provides unrestricted visibility down towards the header and field. The ladder in front of the wheel allows easy access with a spacious walkway for hinged door entry.

To further assist the operator, the LED lighting throughout enables 24/7 operation. Wrapping around the front edge of the cab, the Tribine illuminates everything in its path. This lighting combines with operator control cameras and the extra large side mirrors, to provide 360 degree operation visibility.

Jack throws in safari

LANDPOINT Holdings director Jack Arundel has already gained a market edge with the company's new ProSpread trailed spreader.

After very positive feedback from last month's Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days, Jack is offering the first 15 buyers a 10 day safari trip to South Africa.

It will include a visit to the ProSpread factory in Pretoria, farm visits, a tour of a game reserve and some shopping time for the ladies.

Made by Radium Engineering, the ProSpread is described as a multi-purpose unit hitting a price point in the market while offering productivity and versatility for medium to large broadacre farmers.

Capacities range between 10,000 litres and 20,000 litres but the company will build to order for bigger machines.

Give Jack a buzz on 0427 801 219 to get the lion's share of a good deal.