Note: Editor Willie Vogt got a look at the prototype and captured video of the machine in action, check that out at the end of this story.

Today, Vermeer announced a new fully continuous round baler. It’s a concept machine that has been developed as a project with Lely Group, and it allows for two bales to be formed simultaneously. That means the operator can move forward without having to stop and wait for one bale to finish before moving to the next.

The system will allow for increased productivity in a shorter amount of time. As the first bale gets close to the right size, it’s guided toward the bale ramp. Then, at the same time, the next bale starts taking shape near the feed intake. When the finished bale is ejected, the next one moves into the primary chamber for completion.

An official launch date has not yet been announced, and the machine is still in prototype, but field tests are underway.

Vermeer announced that during testing of the prototype, which will begin later this year, a special website will be set up for dealers and those that try the machine to weigh in on its performance. The company showed the new baler because there are already some in the field and they wanted to get ahead of the social media shares that might appear. The machine is heavier than a traditional baler due in part to the way it works. "As the first bale starts the wrapping process the second bale, which is forming in the chamber, can get as large as 50 inches before it moves into the second stage of the baler," he explains. The two-bale approach allows the machine to keep moving through the field even as it ties off one bale and releases it from the chamber (see video below).

During the launch, there was excitement on social media, as farmers commented that they were looking for a concept like this.

Vermeer is not the first to have a non-stop baler, but Chrisman says this prototype design will not require the operator to slow down at all during operation. 

Vermeer CEO Mary Andringa commented during the announcement of the new baler to a major dealer event that this was just the start of more innovations that would be the product of the Vermeer-Lely alliance.

Visit Vermeer.com.

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