Pottingers Impress 3000 series baler wrapper is doing what it says on the box and impressing contractors and farmers in demonstrations around New Zealand.
Two demonstration models of the Impress 3000; a fixed 3130 FC, and a variable VC 3160, are now busy making balage in different parts of the country.
The variable chamber Impress VC has been at work in Northland and the fixed chamber Impress FC is in the Southland [at the time of print].
OriginAg North Island sales manager Liam Hines says the Impress VC3160 has been well received because of its usability and its crop flow, which allows it to handle high crop volumes while still producing top-quality bales.
“In Northland, we are demonstrating the Impress on a Valtra T195 with ISOBUS, so the operator can operate the baler using the tractor’s monitor,” Liam says.
“The Valtra T195 also has the ability to make use of the baler’s Aux-N capability. We have programmed the joystick so the baler’s critical functions such as the pick-up, hydraulic drawbar, the knife bank and bale tip are at the operator’s fingertips.”
High crop flow is a big draw card for the Impress baler. With its 2.3m pickup and patented Lift-Up rotor, the Impress delivers high-density, well-formed bales. “While the Impress baler is new to New Zealand, Pottinger has been making them for six years. They have a purpose-built factory to manufacture them.
The 3000 Series is the second generation of the Impress. It is popular in Australia, and we are convinced that the combi baler has a big future here”.
The Variable chamber Impress VC 3160 Pro makes bales from 0.8m to 1.55m in diameter while the fixed chamber Impress FC makes bales 1.3m in diameter. (A larger VC 3190 is also available, which makes bales with diameters of 0.9m to 1.85m – as an indent order basis)
With the optional hydraulic drawbar, it is easy to adjust the coupling height and the driving height is more comfortable
PERFECT FLOW
A 2.3m pickup is fitted standard in New Zealand. It has a unique patented controlled floating pickup system with a centralised suspension that allows for side-to-side movement of 120mm. The pickup has trailing side-mounted jockey wheels that guide it over uneven ground. This gives perfect ground tracking consistent with the tines. The operator can easily adjust the jockey wheels, and to reduce ground pressure in challenging conditions, weight alleviation springs reduce the pressure on the ground to about 100kg.
A key feature of Pottinger is the Lift-Up flow technology of the rotor which directs the forage up and over the rotor into the baling chamber. the forage is not deflected at any point and this smooth, straight feed flow results in fewer blockages and lower power requirements.
The patented rotor features a V-shaped tine arrangement that automatically feeds the chamber with a wide flow of crops. The result is a perfectly shaped bale.
In the field action
FLEXIBLE CHOPPING
Another important feature of the Impress is the design of the chopping system. Lift-Up technology places the chopping system and knives above the rotor. This gives the machine more flexibility and allows you to have a full set of 32 knives on board at all times. but it is still a simple step to select the correct knife group from the side of the machine to get chop lengths as short as 36mm as required. With its individual knife protection system the Impress is designed to minimise downtime. each knife is individually secured by its own spring. this means that if any foreign object enters the machine, the knife is pushed back automatically and returns to its working position after the object has passed through. Twin blade reversible knives are fitted which allows the operator to simply turn the knife over during the working day to keep the chopping quality up all day.
UNIQUE WRAPPING SYSTEM
A combination baler that can be used for so many different applications needs an equally adaptable wrapper. The capability of a baler to work on steep inclines is defined by its low centre of gravity. the wrapping table on the Impress has a unique compact design with a low centre of gravity because the wrapping arm is driven from below.
During the design phase of the Impress, Pottinger targeted the ability of the wrapping unit to handle bales with different diameters and they wanted it to deliver high throughput with flexible storage. The robust wrapping arm is smooth running with minimal vibrations, so it reduces any tearing of the wrapping film. Large-diameter bales can pass over the wrapping platform without any problems, as there is no upper clearance limit. It can wrap 1.1m to 1.5m diameter bales effectively. The film pre-stretching unit works with 70 percent or with 50 percent pre-stretching. The wrapper rotates at up to 36 rpm, so it always works faster than the baler.
On the Impress fixed chamber FC Pro and variable chamber VC Pro, there are two film magazines with six film roll holders. Underneath there is space for one roll of binding material or two more rolls of wrapping film. When equipped with the second roll holder for binding material, a maximum of four or six rolls of binding material and a maximum of 14 or 18 rolls of wrapping film can be carried. That is enough for a long day in the field.
The Impress has a 2.3m pickup with a patented Lift-Up rotor, which enables it to deliver impressive crop flows
BALE TIPPER
Stubble or stones can puncture the film on silage bales when unloaded. The flat faces of the bales are always much better protected because they have a higher number of layers. Using the integrated blae tipper, the bale can be placed face down on the ground.
On slopes, the bale tipper can be deactivated at the touch of a button. This allows you to react quickly to operating conditions and it is a feature unique to Impress balers.
By giving the bale extra turns, the air between the layers of the film is then pressed out. This also increases puncture resistance and ensures the perfect seal to give better-quality silage. Rear-mounted controls are standard on the Impress. Operators can use them to work all the functions of the wrapper and fold down the film magazines.
The control keys on this control panel are backlit in case it’s dark. An optional LED lighting package for all Pro models ensures optimum illumination of the pickup bale ejector and wrapper platform.
Words by: Paul Titus; Rural Contractor Magazine
