BALER REVIEWS
1
hay day Tom Dickson was ready to check out John Deere’s 990 variable chamber round baler when it first arrived down under, back in 2013
John Deere 990 Variable Chamber Baler Bale diameter/ 0.8 to 1.85m/1.21m width Pick Up Outer 2.2m Width Teeth Bars
5 tine bars HD pick up
Gauge Wheels Pivoting or standard gauge wheels Knives
13
Gearbox
540rpm — 113kW
PTO Driveline
Wide angle — Powerdrive with extended greasing intervals
Weight
4,300kg
For about four hours we bale at a rate of around 50 bales per hour.
W
ith a temperature of 25˚C, just a light westerly breeze and not a cloud in the sky, Spring has turned on a magnificent day, and I’m at the Craven family’s dairy farm between Warrnambool and Mortlake, in south-west Victoria. One of three generations of family members working in the business alongside his parents, uncles and grandparents, Simon Craven leads the way up the track to where the new John Deere 990 baler is waiting for action. Like all reliable operators Simon’s first priority is to carry out daily maintenance. Searching through his pockets he finds a 10 cent piece, which he explains is the perfect tool to undo the latches on each of the huge streamlined side panels. Personally, I’d rather have a latch which could be opened by hand. With the side covers raised, a much more beefed-up mechanism of chains, sprockets and shafts is revealed. Simon says this is one of the reasons they were drawn to the new 990 variable chamber round baler, which features fast bale release, independent chassis and optional string tying. “It looks a lot stronger and heavier than previous models and for added strength all the mechanisms of the baler are attached to an independent solid chassis,” he says. It’s fair to assume this design will give longer, more reliable performance as all vibrations and stresses will be transferred into the chassis and away from sensitive baling components. Maintaining these highly-developed machines is getting simpler with every new model released. An automatic lubricating mechanism constantly oils all the chains and the only requirement is filling the oil reservoir each morning. To save even more time on routine maintenance the Cravens elected to include an optional auto greaser, set to apply grease every 20 minutes. Simon says this saves time every morning and ensures all bearings and major grease points are regularly lubricated. He also tells me he chooses to use Sisal twine rather than the faster net wrap option, as the twine is biodegradable – breaking down in the stomach of the cow.
“It takes a bit more time at baling and is often prone to tangling in the baler but we more than make up for the lost time at feeding out,” he says.
VIEW FROM THE TOP The first thing I notice as I climb in is a more modern monitor mounted just to the right of the steering column. The 7-inch (18cm) full colour 1800 display controls everything its predecessor did, such as bale density, diameter, soft-core pressure, drop floor unplugging device and pre-cutter knife engagement, but in a much more easy-to-follow format. The display showing the operator where to drive to form the bale equally on both sides is set prominently within the screen and an inbuilt memory allows information storage of 15 paddocks each to 10 different clients – another valuable tool for contractors. Engaging the power take-off (PTO) and increasing engine revs to have the baler running at the required 540rpm reveals no undue noises or vibrations. Even completing sharp turns both left and right causes no shuddering or slapping of the PTO shaft, further verifying it’s a well-balanced machine. As soon as the rear rollers begin to rise to eject the bale, the sides of the bale chamber move outwards to eliminate sticking within the chamber. While most other balers are waiting on the rear-door to go through its cycle, the John Deere 990 is half way toward producing its next bale. Simon alternates between 10km/h and 12km/h depending on the thickness of the windrow. At this speed, the 990 baler easily consumes the crop as quickly as the 2.2m pick-up can feed it in. Fitted to this baler is a Maxi Cut HC Rotor Feeder with 13 knives that cut the crop to approximately 80mm as it enters the baling chamber. The knives are not required today as we’re baling Balansa clover but Simon says he will definitely be using them when baling less palatable crops of ryegrass.
Looking for a baler? Search for ‘baler’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
50 TradeFarmMachinery.com.au
FFM2011_390 editorial temp for press.indd 50
$15,000
TA1025568
2006 JOHN DEERE 467 SILAGE SPECIAL. Variable bale chamber. • VIC 03 6111 4725
$49,000
TA1049082
2016 JOHN DEERE 960.High Density 5x4 Round Baler, Maxicut 13 knives. • NSW 02 9199 7760
$78,000
TA1025571
2017 JOHN DEERE 960. Premium Round Baler, 5’x4’ variable bale chamber. • VIC 03 6111 4725
THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
23/09/2020 10:52:38 AM
