3 minute read
Boughtwood, Dorset
by CLAAS UK
A true evolution in baling
Richard (right) & Andrew Boughtwood
The QUADRANT has been the baler of choice for Richard Boughtwood and his son Andrew for many years. New this year has been a QUADRANT 5200 EVOLUTION which, they say, has taken baler performance to a new level.
Changing their balers every two years, by which time they will have baled around 45,000 bales, the new QUADRANT EVOLUTION follows in the footsteps of three QUADRANT 5200s, prior to which were four QUADRANT 2200 and 2200 ADVANTAGES.
“The performance from the QUADRANT has always been good,” says Richard Boughtwood. “The move from the 2200 ADVANTAGE to the 5200 was a major step forward due to the increased density achieved by having the pre-packing chamber and longer bale chamber. “But the change this year to the EVOLUTION has definitely been a move for the better. There is no doubt that it makes a very square, well-shaped bale and they do look very smart when stacked on a lorry.”
Andrew, who operates the baler, puts this down to a number of factors. Firstly, he says, because the new heavy duty pickup, which has an additional row of 18 double tines, runs slower this has made a considerable difference especially when baling thinner crops of grass or spring cereals. “The combination of the slower pick-up speed and more tines, plus the slightly faster (PFS) feed roller, means it leaves a far cleaner finish and feed into the baler is very positive. It is noticeable how much better the bales are in thin crops. Also having the automatic tensioning and new lubrication system for the chain drive means it does not run nearly as hot, which was certainly one less fire risk this year.”
However, where Andrew has seen one of the biggest changes in the EVOLUTION is the speed with which the AUTO PRESSURE CONTROL (APC) system now reacts to changes in the crop. “There’s no delay,” he says. “In silage especially as the moisture or crop changes, for instance under trees or on the shaded side of a slope, you can see the pressure instantly changing. But even going up a swath you can see the pressure changing all the time – you don’t appreciate how much the crop does vary. As a result, bale weights are very consistent and with the EVOLUTION we also don’t seem to have any problems with knots slipping.” Another new feature on the EVOLUTION is in the bale chamber, which has been redesigned, in addition to having factory fitted side knives for a cleaner edged bale and deflectors to reduce material build-up. “There is no doubt that because the bale is compressed slightly longer in the chamber, that it makes a far better, square edged bale. Also the hydraulic bale ejector does a good job of clearing the chamber out.” “Overall it’s a fantastic baler, but they always have been,” adds Richard. “But just as important is the service and support we get from the whole team at CLAAS WESTERN Frome – that is the strongest selling point of the QUADRANT. Nothing is too much trouble and if we have a problem, they will be instantly on it. Of all the dealers we deal with, they are by far the best and that is reflected in the fact that all our mowers, tedders and rakes are all CLAAS.”
