Credit for the big baler idea is generally given to Allen White, who spent more than 25 years as a company engineer. White started his research by building a giant bale chamber in the engineering lab and manually packing it with hay. When the 4-foot-by-4-foot bale did not get hot or spoil, engineers went on to build the first prototype baler. They quickly realized that the side-feed approach currently being used would not work, and in 1975, the first prototype that fed hay into the bottom of the bale chamber was built.
After extensive field-testing, the Model 4800 was perfected and released in 1978. Field testing and working with farmers to meet their needs have always been a hallmark of equipment development at Hesston. These productive balers proved to be a more labor-efficient and economical way to harvest, store and feed forages.

Today, balers built in Hesston are sold in as many as 39 countries and used to bale everything from alfalfa and grass hay to wheat straw, miscanthus for biofuel production, and even recyclables such as newspaper and aluminum cans.
“It is amazing to look back at all that has gone into today’s big baler models,” says Dean Morrell, product marketing manager, Hay and Forage. “Building the 25,000th baler is an invigorating milestone and a great tribute to everyone who has been involved in its development. I know there will be even more innovations in the future large square balers built in Hesston.”

Successful participants in the program gathered at the picturesque North Queensland resort town of Port Douglas, Australia where representatives from AGCO presented them with results from the 2012 program and plans for 2013. Dealers were also invited to tour the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, as well as attend a formal function.

Opening the Meeting, AGCO  Managing Director and Vice President ANZ Warwick McCormick outlined future possibilities for dealers emphasizing AGCO’s global product strength which now extends to grain storage and handling facilities.

Also in attendance, Gary Collar, APAC Senior Vice president and General Manger, outlined the cooperative approach of the program and strategic initiatives for 2013, while also presenting awards to dealers acknowledging their ongoing participation.

Key features of the 2013 program requirements include the addition of AGCOSHOP as well as a greater emphasis on dealer websites and social media. AGCOSHOP will allow dealers to better service their local parts market and supply parts to not only AGCO brand products, but a wide range of parts and accessories for other brands of tractors and implements.

Congratulations to all participating dealers for their efforts throughout 2012. AGCO looks forward to this continued partnership with dealers which  improves the supply of quality products to customers,  enhances after sales support and will drive business improvement well into 2014.

From Left –  APAC Senior Vice president and General Manger, Gary Collar, with AGCO Dealer Trent Berryman and AGCO Managing Director and Vice President ANZ, Warwick McCormick.

• The first large square baler — the Hesston model 4800, produced at the AGCO facility in Hesston, Kan. — was introduced in 1978.
• Nearly 50 individual patents were awarded to the original baler.
• There are at AGCO 15 employees who were involved with developing and building the first large square balers and are still working at the Hesston facility today.
• Together, they have 610 years of experience working at the Hesston facility, with tenures ranging from 36 to 49 years.
• Large square balers built in Hesston have been sold under the following brand names: Hesston, New Idea, Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Challenger, Case IH, New Holland and AGCO.
• They have been used to bale everything from alfalfa and grass hay to wheat straw, miscanthus for biofuel production and even recyclables such as newspaper and aluminum cans.
• Large square balers manufactured in Hesston have proudly been sold and delivered to customers in as many as 39 countries all over the world.
• Hesston by Massey Ferguson Models 2170XD and 2190 create bales that are 4-feet x 3-feet or 4-feet x 4-feet, respectively, and can weigh up to a ton.

AGCO Managing Director and Vice President ANZ Warwick McCormick, along with staff, thanked the French family, the late Earl French and more recently Gary French, for their long involvement in supporting the various brands AGCO manufactures and distributes throughout Australia.

Taking over the Dealership and inheriting a tradition of service and professionalism from the French family, two local residents, Justin Kay and Brad Kinrade will now represent the Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra and Iseki brands in Warragul and the surrounding districts

AGCO’s decision to appoint and support Justin and Brad in their new venture is an encouraging sign of the transition to a new generation of locally owned and operated dealerships that continue to support their local communities.

Justin and Brad thanked AGCO Australia for the confidence shown in their future plan to develop the local business and for the opportunity to be part of the ever increasing growth and diversity in products required for modern day farming practices.

“The brands that AGCO offer are all of premium quality and offer one of the most extensive product lines available to professional farmers, large and small alike and contractors in the Warragul region. We have confidence in the agricultural industry and look forward to offering these quality brands to existing and new R.E.N Machinery customers,” Justin and Brad said.

REN Machinery will continue operations from their existing Warragul premises.

From left, Gary French retiring AGCO Dealer, Brad Kinrade and Justin Kay new AGCO principal Dealers.

The Combine Harvester restoration project is part of the commemoration of 75 years of the world’s first commercial production of the self-propelled Combine Harvester in 1938. The first self-propelled Combine harvester in Europe was first assembled in Manchester, UK in 1947 before full design and production began at M-H’s Combine factory in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1948. The M-H 780 was one of the most successful produced there and went on to become one of the first to be fully branded Massey Ferguson.

The actual machine being renovated dates from the year of Massey Ferguson’s founding in 1958 and had a productive working life in Austria before ending up as an “unfinished project” within the Horn Town Museum, 30 years ago. Once completed, the M-H 780 will feature at various events around Europe, commemorating the 75 years.

With major investments and developments in the current  Massey Ferguson Harvesting range that are being recognized for their high quality and reliability, it is timely to record that Massey Ferguson holds a unique position in the Harvesting world that provides a strong mandate for future success as AGCO continues to invest heavily in this critical sector within farm mechanization.

For this year’s Agrishow, Valtra will not only showcase new products but also innovation and its exclusive customer service. During the five day show visitors will be able to experience tractors, combines, balers, sprayers, planters in addition to the Farming Function technology. The customer service teams will be ready to answer any questions the visitors may have.

Visitors will be able to celebrate Valtra’s new BH Geração III line: it includes a brand new cabin and hydraulic system design that improves the machine’s turning radius. These exclusive models will be part of the new line with the objective to increase the power options, among them, the BH 135i (137cv) tractor, with 4 cylinders turbo-intercooler engine designed for the farmer who needs a machine for many different functions and activities on the farm. Also part of the Geração III family: the new BH200 (200cv) and BH210i (210 cv) tractors. These models follow the global standards of the Valtra tractors, specified to Brazilian agricultural operations. The new machines will be shown at the Agrishow  and available to the market during the second half of this year. The traditional BH145, BH165 and BH180 models will also receive the technology package available in BH Geração III line.

Including around 60 products and dealership teams delivering customized service, the Massey Ferguson booth will showcase new product releases and present exciting attractions to the visitors.

Two garden tractor lines are arriving at our brand dealership: MF 2000 series (model20/42) and MF 2900 series (model 27/78). Both models are equipped with Briggs & Stratton® engines of 20 cv and 27cv  of power, respectively.

Besides that, the MF 8600 series will be once again in Ribeirão Preto with the biggest and most recent models. Presenting its cutting edge technology, the MF 8670 and MF 8690 of 320cv and 370cv, respectively, are the first in Brazil to be equipped with CVT transmission (Dyna-VT).

The MF 4200 series will also be displayed at the Agrishow. The tractors, with power ranging between 65cv and 130 cv, are known for their productivity and versatility in Brazil.

The visitors can also have a look at the most versatile combine in the market, the MF32 SR, with its ability to work rice crop and grains such as soybean, corn and wheat.

Supplied to Fishers Farm through local Massey Ferguson dealer, Yeowart Agricultural Ltd, Sharpthorne, East Grinstead, the 102hp MF 5440 tractor has swapped a supporting role within the Olympic Stadium for almost continuous action seven days a week pulling a visitor-packed trailer past a variety of livestock pens and paddocks located alongside a circular route through the farm park.

Known as “The Big Red Tractor Ride”, the tour – which takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on season – can include adult and young sheep, pigs, goats and alpacas, Shire horses, Cobs and Shetland ponies, dairy and beef cattle, hens, ducks and geese plus visiting wildfowl that may have dropped-in during the day. A recorded commentary is broadcast during the ride telling the history of Fishers Farm and the activities that now take place throughout the year on the 20ha holding.

Owned and managed by the Rollings family since 1985, Fishers Farm was initially planted with soft fruit and run as a “pick your own” enterprise by husband and wife team, Tim and Trina Rollings.

A chance remark by a customer led to the introduction of refreshments and toilet facilities followed soon after by casual viewings of the Rollings’ own domesticated livestock, events which sowed the seeds for the creation of Fishers Farm Adventure Park. The venue welcomed its first paying customer on 1 June 1990.

Today, visitors to the attraction number more than 1,000 a day during the summer months, drawn by a heady mix of exciting rides, absorbing activities and informative animal features which provide a great day out for all the family.

“Both Ferguson and Massey Ferguson tractors were being used on the farm long before we bought the land and planted soft fruit,” explained Tim Rollings. “Our first tractor back in  1985 was a Massey and we have remained loyal to the brand right through to the present day, having used Massey Ferguson models to provide our big red tractor rides since they first began.”

In autumn 2012, Tim Rollings decided that he needed a slightly more powerful tractor to comfortably pull the trailer carrying large numbers of visitors around the outdoor livestock feature attractions.

“I sought advice from local dealer, Yeowart Agricultural, and was told that the firm had acquired one of the tractors loaned by Massey Ferguson to assist at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” explained Tim. “That tractor, an MF 5440, had exactly the power output that we wanted. Its unique celebrity status made it a must-have for Fishers Farm Adventure Park and I ordered the tractor the same day.”

Delivered in November 2012, the MF 5440 tractor has been a huge success with visitors and the Rollings family from the outset.

The turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine is quiet, economical and provides loads of torque at low engine speeds while gear changes are fast and simple thanks to Massey Ferguson’s Dyna- 4 transmission which provides four clutchless gear changes within each of four different speed ranges.

The tractor’s crowning glory, said Tim, is its spacious flat-floor cab which offers excellent all-round visibility, low sound levels and a very comfortable ride.

“Our tractor played a part at the opening of the world’s biggest sporting event,” he concluded. “I am delighted that it has now taken on a very important and high-profile role within our business and is being appreciated by the thousands of people, young and old, who visit Fishers Farm Adventure Park every week.”

To read more about Fishers Farm Park.

The construction of AGCO’s African Master Parts Distribution Centre was completed at the end of 2012. The new warehouse comprises initial space of more than 7,000 square meters with flexibility to expand within a 16,000 square meters site. The strategic location of the African Master Parts Distribution Centre, close to Johannesburg Airport, makes it easily accessible, and puts it at the heart of a well-connected logistics network. “

Our new Master Parts Distribution Centre is a significant step to improve our after-sales services in African markets,” explained Nuradin Osman, AGCO Director for Africa & Middle East, “Overall AGCO is investing about $35 million in the after-sales service infrastructure in Africa to ensure excellent parts availability and machine uptime.” Up to 40,000 parts are stocked to significantly improve response times and reduce machine downtime. AGCO’s objective is to bring Africa’s after-sales service for the local distribution partners and customers in line with the highest global standards. “Having successfully established the new African Master warehouse, we will now focus on developing satellite warehouses in East and West Africa to support these growing markets,” added Nuradin Osman.

The African Master Parts Distribution Centre will not only support AGCO’s Sub-Saharan distribution partners, but also parts shipments to the dealer network of Barloworld, AGCO’s Southern Africa distributor. The joint approach will allow Barloworld to offer improved service to its customers due to the expanded range of locally stocked parts.

In addition to the implementation of the new Master Parts Distribution Centre in Johannesburg, AGCO has taken further strategic steps to expand its presence in Africa – opening a Global Learning Center and Future Farm in Zambia that allows local farmers and dealers to be trained on modern farming technology. Farmers can benefit from a wide range of training classes and get access to professional farming equipment. Moreover, in December 2012, AGCO established a joint venture operation with local partners in Algeria to manufacture Massey Ferguson tractors for the African market.

The first, and most basic rule, is simplest of all: “Get out of the tractor, and check your baler and the first bales from a field to make sure adjustments are right, so the density and shape of the bales are correct,” says Dean Morrell, AGCO Product Marketing Manager for Hesston by Massey Ferguson hay products.

“The biggest mistake people make is moving too fast when they start baling. They don’t get out of the tractor to verify that everything is right, and if it is not, to tweak adjustments until it is,” he says. “The same rule applies to cutting, conditioning and raking. It’s a missed opportunity if you don’t get out of the tractor cab.”

Adjusting a baler to produce high-quality bales is relatively straightforward, says Morrell. Of course, by starting with windrows that are uniform in width and in the amount of hay they contain, producers help ensure bales are consistent in shape and density. Also, windrows that are as large as possible to meet the baler capacity help minimize the amount of loss during the baling process when hay is at its driest and most subject to leaf loss from handling.

Operating manuals provide a full rundown on how to set balers to make dense bales that are consistent in size and shape. Here are Morrell’s quick tips for doing the job right:
• Set baler pickup tines about one inch above the ground. This helps prevent contaminating the hay with dirt, which raises ash percentages and reduces digestibility. Baler wear and tear caused by picking up stones also is reduced or eliminated.
• Set the hay pickup flotation so that the pickup follows the contour of the ground at or just above the tine height setting. If the tines aren’t digging into the dirt, the flotation setting is about right. Regularly check the hay pickup for bent or broken tines and replace them as necessary. Be sure to stock up on replacement parts before the hay season begins.
• Synchronize the field speed and the baler pickup speed so the hay is lifted from the windrow and flows into the bale chamber. Pickup loss is lower when windrows are heavy because the baler is operated at a slower field speed, and there is less contact between the hay and the baler components.
• Bale chamber loss, particularly of the valuable leaves, is typically two to three times greater in round balers compared to square balers. To minimize bale chamber losses in round balers, the feed rate should be as high as possible to minimize the number of turns the hay makes within the bale chamber. This can be accomplished by using large windrows and high forward speeds. Since pickup losses are normally lower than chamber losses, it’s usually better to have some pickup loss by driving faster but reducing the amount of time it takes to form the bale.
• Monitor bale density. Even if your baler has a density gauge, it is still critical to get out of the cab and “thump” bales to verify that the density is high enough so that bales hold their shape and provide maximum protection from the elements. “You really don’t want to be able to stick your fingers into the bale,” Morrell says. “If you kick the bale, it should hurt your foot.”
• Follow drive directional arrows on the baler monitor to make sure hay is fed consistently across the width of the bale chamber so bales have square shoulders. This helps round bales shed moisture, and improves stacking attributes of square bales.
• Hay moisture at baling is a critical factor in determining superior hay quality and long storage life. Assessing moisture before baling depends on whether it is stem moisture or moisture from dew. The moisture present from dew will seep through the hay to some degree, while stem moisture will not. When the stem moisture is too high, spoilage can occur. Moisture at baling for large square bales should be no greater than 12 to 15 percent; for round bales, no greater than 16 to 20 percent; and no greater than 18 to 20 percent for small-square bales. The exception to this rule is when hay preservative is applied during baling, which allows hay to be baled with moisture content up to 30 percent.
• To reduce leaf shatter and resulting nutrient losses, avoid baling when hay moisture is too low.
• Make sure all operators know how to adjust the baler for top quality.
• Keep up to date on regular maintenance to ensure peak machine performance. Be sure to visit your local dealer to stock up on pickup tines, common bearings, chain repairs, belts, shear bolts and other common repairs before the hay season starts to minimize downtime from common breakdowns. Dealers often have a list of recommended parts for on-farm stocking and may offer preseason discounts for parts purchases.
Hesston has been providing innovation and solutions to farmers since 1947, and is the industry leader in hay-harvesting products. For more information about Hesston by Massey Ferguson products or to find a dealer near you, visit hesston.com.