Vermeer made its name in 1971 with the launch of the "one man hay system" developed by Gary Vermeer. The company, still family controlled, has grown far beyond that first baler into a wide range of tools and equipment, but making quality hay is still a core business; and the company is building on that with a range of new products for the 2017 season.

Here's a rundown of the new tools introduced just ahead of the fall farm show season.

A new 5x4 baler

Vermeer adds to the tedder line with new machines.

The new 504R Signature Baler from Vermeer is a 5-foot-by-4-foot baler with a camless wide pickup. In announcing the line, Josh Vrieze, Vermeer product manager, explains that the "combination of the camless wide pickup and rotor are what initially sets this baler apart. With fewer wear points than previous models, these two components quietly work together to create faster bale starts and square-shouldered, good-looking bales, all while minimizing the number of parts that may need to be replaced."

The new baler is backed by a three-year warranty. It offers 80 main drive chains, stronger bearings, load ratings and torque power. Vrieze adds that the baler is designed primarily for dry hay, but it can put up wet hay, which means its suited for most operations.

Adding to the silage-baling line

Vermeer is adding two new models to the Pro line of silage-focused balers. The additions include the next generation 504 Pro baler and the all-new 604 Pro baler (shown here). The 604 Pro is designed for operators who need durability for silage baling, while also being able to put up dry hay.

New 5x4-foot baler added to the line. Features camless pickup design, works with dry hay and silage too.

The balers feature Hydroflexcontrol and the Xtracut17 precutting system for handling wet hay. With the 604 Pro users can have a baler that can perform Pro functions while making larger dry bales or smaller wet bales.

Each baler has a camless wide pickup that requires no cam tracks or follower bearings, helping reduce required maintenance. Endless belts eliminate lace maintenance, and large float tires are available for smoother handling on rough terrain.

New trail mowers heading to market

Two new trailed mowers are joining the Vermeer lineup. The TM1210 and the TM1410 are built to enhance productivity in the field. Vrieze explains that many operators rely on Vermeer trailed mowers to put up large amounts of hay, but the company is building on that. "Not only are we bringing the largest trailed mower to the market to date, but we are bringing mowers with proven features and heavy duty components that are built to last."

Vermeer offers all new 604 Pro baler for silage making, but it can do dry bales too.

Both machines maintain a 9.1-foot transport width. The TM1210 cuts 17.7-feet and the TM1410 can mow up to 20.8 feet. The 10-series trailed mowers are equipped with the Q3 Cutter Bar featuring the Quick-Clip Blade Retention System and Quick-Change Shear Ring to simplify changing blades and repairing sheared disks. The patent pending two-point Quick Hitch can make hooking up the machine a one-person process. For a high-quality cut, the nitrogen-charged accumulator suspension system makes it easy for operators to adjust for various crops and conditions, while maintaining proper cutter bar balance and pitch.

A 3-year cutter bar warranty is also standard.

New hay handling tools

There's a lot that goes into making a quality hay crop and Vermeer offers producers all the necessary tools. Two new tools include the RR140 Rotary Rake and the TD Series Tedders (shown).

The RR140 Rotary Rake has a working width of 13.9-feet and is designed to boost efficiency and speed by allowing you to rake fast in wet or dry hay. The side-delivery rake features 11 arms each equipped with four double tines, providing uniform raking actions to gently stir the hay for faster drying but also maintain nutritional value of the crop. Hydraulic adjustments keep the tines off the ground, minimizing ash content in the windrow.

The TD Series Tedders are built for speed. There's the TD100 with a 10-foot working width and the TD190 with a 19-foot working width. Both models feature convenience, including tool-less height adjustments and an adjustable crank for changing the pitch angle quickly.

Adds Vrieze: "We are seeing more and more customers who understand and appreciate the value of a tedder. By using a tedder, a producer can achieve quicker dry down, and the faster they can get their hay off the field, the higher quality forage they'll be able to harvest."

Learn more about these new products at Vermeer.com.