A PAIR of new variable chamber round baler-wrapper combinations from Kuhn are aimed at working in silage and hay, plus can also work in straw.

The VBP 3165 and VBP 3195 have Kuhn’s 'progressive density' baling chamber, which uses two chamber rollers, a starter roller and five endless baling belts with the aim of producing evenly shaped bales.

This works by altering the belt pressure as the bale grows, a feature which can be adjusted from the tractor cab to compensate for variations in crop type quality and to maintain a constant density as the bale is formed. The system is key to these combinations having the versatility to bale and wrap, if necessary, a range of wet and dry crops – from hay and straw (5-20% moisture) to haylage (18-35% moisture) and silage (35-80% moisture).

Both can come with the Opticut 14 or 23 intake rotors, which has a 2.3m pick-up and a patented integral cutting rotor with 14 or 23 knives. These can provide give a choice of cut length in the crop and the rotors are manufactured from Hardox wear-resistant steel for better longevity.

Especially useful in wet and/or stony conditions, Kuhn’s dropfloor and hydraulic rotor disengagement system enables blockages to be cleared quickly.

The balers have a simple and sturdy drive system and there are only three main chains, all low maintenance with the option of auto chain lube.

Kuhn said it had the aim of minimising idle time on the combo with a rapid transfer of the bale from the formation chamber to the wrapping table. The design and shape of the exit platform means that even when working in steep sloping fields, the feed is consistent to the four-belt wrapping table, which has two large rollers and four side cones to provides maximum bale traction and bale rotation.

Film application is controlled by the proven Intelliwrap system which allows the operator to select the number of film layers (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and to adjust film overlap to match local conditions, crop quality and storage periods.

The optional 3D wrapping system, which uses pivoting pre-stretchers, can also be specified. This packs a tighter bale by removing more air and ensures the edges of the bale are better protected by creating a 20cm overlap across this vulnerable zone. It also prevents rigid grass stems from puncturing the first layers of film by applying the film in the same direction that the bale is turning on the wrapping table.

Both VBP models can be supplied with, and controlled by, the company's latest ISOBUS terminals, the 5.4-inch CCI 50 and the 12.1-inch CCI 1200 – both of which can be used to control any compatible machine.

The CCI 50 has touchscreen but also has 12 back-lit function keys, an auto-brightness sensor, and ports for video input, USB data transfer, GPS antenna input and biomass sensor input. The CCI 1200 has a large touchscreen which can be used either horizontally or vertically and is easy to view in direct sunlight. There's a split-screen function to enable the operator to view and control two machines in tandem.