Glacier FarmMedia – For decades, round bales have been the go-to choice for most farmers and ranchers putting up hay.
Manufacturers are increasingly adding sophistication to their baler models, and this year John Deere added weave automation to its 1 Series round balers.
“Weave automation is the new weaving hitch we have,” says Kaylene Ballesteros, go-to-market manager for hay and forage products at John Deere.
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“When you think about when you were younger, weaving back and forth to make sure you have that nice square-shouldered bale coming out, you don’t have to do that anymore. All you have to do is drive straight over that windrow and the baler does that weaving for you.”
Weave automation uses an automated hitch that can swing up to 38 degrees from side to side All the tractor operator has to do is drive straight ahead and let the baler to the work. It also eliminates the risk of driving over the windrow with the tractor and pressing it down so the baler can’t pick up the material under the wheel tracks.
Weave automation is available on a number of Deere baler models as an option.
Other features on the 1 Series balers include bale documentation, which provides near-real-time data on the hay in the baler to the tractor monitor.
“Bale documentation is something we launched last year,” Ballesteros says.
”We have an integrated bale moisture and weight sensor in the sidewall of the baler. Every bale that goes through is weighed and the moisture is checked and sent to the display in the cab in just about real time. So you’re able to have those bale-to-bale metrics. It can translate that into a field-by-field metric and transmit that with a John Deere modem to the John Deere Operations Center.”
To help feed the baler, a Mega Wide pickup is an option on some models, which Ballesteros says adds to the productivity of the baler.
“Our Mega Wide pickup is a feature we’ve had for a few years now,” she says.
“It means about 80 more bales a day when it comes to productivity than our standard pickup. You can get that on the M and R spec balers.”
The 1 Series balers were introduced in 2023 and also include automated gate cycle functions, ensuring the gate opens at the right time to discharge a completed bale, reducing operator fatigue.
