Five years on from its launch, Austrian manufacturer Pöttinger has given a comprehensive make-over to its Impress round baler range.

That includes a fresh design for the new machines which are available from its dealers now.

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Despite the new look, proven components, such as the floating pick-up, the Liftup rotor and chopping system, with up to 32 knives, have not been changed. But, baling pressure has been boosted by 20% for better-shaped and heavier bales.

The range of options has been expanded to meet the demands of large farms and contractors, though the basic range still includes two fixed-chamber Impress 3130 F Master and the 3130 F Pro balers, as well as three models each for the variable-chamber balers.

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The latest 3160 and 3190 models are available in the 'V' version without a chopping system, while the V Master has a 16-knife chopping system and straightforward control concept, and the V Pro has a 32-knife chopping system, load sensing, ISOBUS control and numerous automatic functions.

The range is rounded off with three baler/wrapper combinations – the 3130 FC Pro fixed-chamber with a bale diameter of 1.3m, the 3160 VC Pro variable chamber up to 1.55m and the 3190 VC Pro variable chamber up to 1.85m.

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A central element is a new binding unit, where the feed and tension of the bale is regulated from outside the baling chamber, not by the core of the bale. This means that rolls of material can be be used regardless of the condition of the core.

A maximum plastic width is 1400mm and the baler can be equipped for film and film binding using a tail binding unit. The roller is no longer braked electrically, but hydraulically.

The settings for net and film are saved separately and if frequent changes are made between net and film, a second binding roll holder can be added. An optional loading system now assists the operator when changing the roll.

An optional LED lighting package for all Pro models help with night-time working and there are also LED strips with switches installed under the side panels for maintenance work and changing rolls of film etc.

The machine can also now be cleaned quickly using compressed air using an optional hose reel with air supplied from the air brake system through an overflow valve. Moisture sensors can also be fitted.

There is also a new control terminal, with a five-inch touch screen and this can be supplemented by an optional camera system with a separate 10-inch LCD screen which can display up to four camera images at once.

Improvements to the wrappers include a new pre-stretch unit and the holding and cutting device. And the wrapper platform can now rotate the bale before and after the wrapping process to reliably tidy up the ends of the binding and wrapping layers.