Whether you are a contractor with a diverse set of customers, or if your own operation’s size and structure requires versatility, we’ve built a baler just for you. Whether you produce straw, hay, haylage or silage – a lot of one, or some of everything, you can pick your winner here. The G, M and R balers are the most versatile round chamber balers in the business.
Main page with simple and clear pictograms
No need to leave the cab to adjust the baler
For any monitor, all R-Series Balers use ISOBUS architecture and can be fully set from the display. There is no need for the operator to leave the cab, even for density or greasing parameters (when equipped with optional automatic greasing system), as everything is managed on the display through drop-down menus. V451R and V461R Balers offer:
Settings
Information
Implement Display 1100 color monitor
As a universal solution, the Implement Display 1100 monitor offers all key functions for regular users. This ISOBUS monitor features an 11-cm (4.3-in.) diagonal color screen with backlit keys.
The display provides all functions and information listed previously. The Implement Display 1100 is not able to manage Tractor Baler Automation (TBA) mode. The Implement Display 1100 monitor is delivered with a cab harness that must be connected to a 12-V COBO® plug.
GreenStar 1800 Display
For the most demanding operators, the V451R and V461R can be delivered with the GreenStar 1800 Display. This ISOBUS display offers a comfortable 18-cm (7.0-in) diagonal color screen and is able to manage the TBA function.
The GreenStar 1800 Display offers additional advanced functions such as the John Deere AutoTrac™ guidance system.
This monitor is delivered with a cab harness that must be connected to a 12-V COBO plug and with a cornerpost to plug the display to the John Deere cab corner.
Built-in John Deere 4630 Display
For operators already using a built-in or external ISOBUS certified display, R-Series Balers can be delivered without a monitor. Thanks to the ISOBUS connectivity, just plug the baler to the tractor/monitor and bale.
This cost-efficient solution offers full baler functions (except TBA mode when the baler is plugged into a non-compatible John Deere tractor or to a competitive tractor).
A single manual action - the system manages the rest
All TBA settings can be easily adjusted to fit user habits
All V451R and V461R Balers are delivered as standard with TBA mode. There is no need for an additional baler activation key. TBA makes baling easier than ever by managing most of the baling process. It offers operators the following advantages:
When used with a John Deere ISOBUS tractor, electric selective control valve (E-SCV), and (IVT™) transmission, the system will be able to:
The only action remaining is to forward reverser and manage the steering.
If the John Deere tractor is not equipped with IVT (PowrQuad™ transmission or DirectDrive e.g.) but has E-SCV and ISOBUS, opening and closing can be automated.
A single-touch on the SCV, brakes, or reverser will disengage the automation. In the same way, automated open/close can be momentarily stopped when unloading in hilly conditions. TBA does not require additional SCV plugs or load sensing/power beyond features.
The TBA system can be fully set according to operator habits. Acceleration and deceleration duration can be easily adjusted from monitor.
Even if no activation key is required on the baler side, a tractor activation key can be mandatory depending on John Deere tractor specifications.
B-Wrap is a trademark of Tama Plastic Industry. COBO is a trademark of C.O.B.O. S.P.A. Joint Stock Company Italy.
Official Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. (DLG) Fokus Test 6112F measurements
| Test run | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Density setting (percent) | 100 | 50 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 50 | 85 |
| Number of knives | 25 | 25 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Bale diameter (m, ft) | 1.25 m (4.10 ft) |
1.25 m (4.10 ft) |
1.25 m (4.10 ft) |
1.26 m (4.13 ft) |
1.40 m (4.59 ft) |
1.41 m (4.63 ft) |
1.26 m (4.13 ft) |
1.23 m (4.04 ft) |
1.25 m (4.10 ft) |
| Bale width (m, ft) | 1.23 m (4.04 ft) |
1.23 m (4.04 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Driving time (seconds) | 64.2 | 55.0 | 57.8 | 49.8 | 73.6 | 51.6 | 82.8 | 76.3 | 49.5 |
| Holding time (seconds) | 10.9 | 10.6 | 10.7 | 10.6 | 12.0 | 12.1 | 10.5 | 10.5 | --- |
| Wrapping time (seconds) | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 5.7 | 5.8 | --- |
| Ejection time (seconds) | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.7 | --- |
| Driving speed (km/h, mph) | 13.7 km/h (8.5 mph) |
13.8 km/h (8.6 mph) |
14.8 km/h (9.2 mph) |
15.2 km/h (9.4 mph) |
15.6 km/h (9.7 mph) |
15.1 km/h (9.4 mph) |
9.5 km/h (5.9 mph) |
9.4 km/h (5.8 mph) |
17.4 km/h (10.8 mph) |
Large farms and contractors usually have to work quickly to deliver a large amount of bales every day, and every second must be optimized. Ejection time is generally a time loss on traditional round balers, requiring up to 20 seconds for a complete opening/closing cycle on some balers.
John Deere FRS greatly decreases this non-productive time and directly boosts overall baler productivity. As summarized by official DLG Fokus test 6112F: "The signature trait of this baler is the innovative ejection system, which provides considerable advantage through a very short bale ejection time. This shortens the hold time of the baler during ejection, which can consequently lead to a higher rate of productivity."
The FRS benefits operators in many ways, demonstrated by some easy calculations:
Others balers = 60 seconds/hour x 60 mn (2.4 in.)/hour x 10 hours/day divided by 60 seconds/bale = 600 bales/day
John Deere R-Series = 60 seconds/hour x 60 mn (2.4 in.)/hour x 10 hours/day divided by 55.1 seconds/bale = 654 bales/day
As a result, John Deere R-Series Balers produce 54 more bales a day – or allows the operator to save about one working hour per day.
Simple parts to move to open the tailgate
230-kg (507-lb) FRS can be moved quickly
FRS provides a light structure, and less than half of the traditional tailgate weight that opens the chamber quickly and removes belts from the bale.
Compared to a traditional tailgate:
Side of the chamber moves
Moving side sheets helps prevent the bale from getting stuck in the chamber. When the light structure opens, each side of the chamber automatically moves 50 mm (2 in.). There is no more contact between the bale and the chamber; the bale is released and quickly falls by its own weight. Even in the worst wet conditions, the unloading process is as efficient as in dry straw.
This unique feature does not require complicated hydraulic or mechanical systems to be actuated. When the tailgate goes down, simple bearings push on cams located on both side sheet sides and lock the chamber sides in the baling position. When the tailgate opens, the pressure on the side sheets cams is automatically released, then a return spring quickly moves the chamber walls outside.
Locks located on both baler sides lock the FRS when tailgate is closed.
A is bale diameter (cm) symmetric across the 0-degree axis, and B is bale density (kg/m3)
Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. (DLG) official silage bale test
| Test data | |
| Date | 23 June 2012 |
| Harvested crop | Grass silage |
| Baler | John Deere 960 |
| Bale number | 12 |
| Bale weight | 786 kg (1732.8 lb) |
| Bale density | 505.8 kg/m3 (31.6 lb-ft) |
| Bale diameter | 127 cm (50 in.) |
| Bale width | 123 cm (48.4 in.) |
| Dry matter content | 68.8 percent |
| Density setting | 100 percent |
| Number of knives | 13 |
| Driving speed | 14.3 km/h (8.9 mph) |
A is bale diameter (cm) symmetric across the 0-degree axis, and B is bale density (kg/m3)
DLG official straw bale test
| Test data | |
| Date | 13 August 2012 |
| Harvested crop | Wheat straw |
| Baler | John Deere 990 |
| Bale number | 3 |
| Bale weight | 472 kg (1040.6 lb) |
| Bale density | 125.3 kg/m3 (7.8 lb-ft) |
| Bale diameter | 192 cm (75.6 in.) |
| Bale width | 126 cm (49.6 in.) |
| Dry matter content | 88.5 percent |
| Density setting | 100 percent |
| Number of knives | --- |
| Driving speed | 17.7 km/h (11 mph) |
The V461R can produce bales up to 1.85-m (6.1-ft) diameter with a 1.21-m (4-ft) bale chamber width. The MaxD – maximum density – bale chamber has been designed to deliver very heavy, dense, and perfectly shaped bales, officially proven by DLG.
Offset density arm gives tension to the belts
The V461R density is provided by an offset tension arm that applies hydraulic tension to the belts and not directly to the bale. This heavy-duty component is not involved in belt length compensation, so 100 percent of hydraulic power is involved in belt tensioning.
Density is easily set from the monitor and can be adjusted from 0 to 100 percent of hydraulic pressure. A virtual gauge located on the working page continuously follows the density increase without looking back to the baler.
Density can also be adjusted manually from the hydraulic valve in case of major failure.
Softcore fully adjustable from monitor
The V451R and V461R both benefit from a standard advanced softcore system management:
Accurate softcore settings allow:
Hardox is a trademark of SSAB Tunnplat AB Limited.
Only two belts - advanced belt tracking allows the operator to work in all conditions
The V461R Round Baler features two wide 573-mm (22.56-in.) belts, meaning that only three free spaces are observed (one between the two belts plus one on each belt side). Using two belts optimizes bale coverage by approximately 4 percent. The result is significant crop loss limitation and more efficient baling process.
In order to handle huge stress transmitted by the density arm, the belts have no lacers.
An advanced belt tracking system, including wide front pulleys and several guides located throughout the chamber, ensures accurate belt positioning, even when working in slopes or when overloading one pickup side. All edges of parts potentially in contact with the belts are chamfered to avoid belt side damage. A take-up arm manages belt tension compensation during the unloading process to avoid potential belt tracking issues.
Belts are driven by two large-diameter rubber rolls with a large contact surface that avoid belt slippage in very wet conditions. Springs linked to the density arm are located on both chamber sides and give enough tension to the belts from bale starting.
To limit crops from sticking, belts feature a smooth pattern. Paddles on the belts’ driving rolls, cleaning augers into the density arm, and other scrapers located in several places through the belts’ paths continuously clean the belts and remove crop accumulation around the bale chamber.
Driven bale chamber rolls rotate crops immediately
MaxD bale chamber features three powered rolls to improve versatility and bale quality:
Reinforced bale chamber components (in red)
Heavy bales, high density, high baling speed, and high tractor power directly impacts baler durability. The R-Series Round Balers include several heavy-duty components in the bale chamber to meet long lifetime expectations:
Left, pickup with cam track; right, cam-less pickup
Versatility has been one of the key criteria when designing the R-Series Balers. Due to a narrow weather window and increasing amounts of difficult crops, such as heavy silage, growers do not want to risk losing any more time during the season.
Cam-track technology provides an efficient solution for such needs. The traditional stripper design provides reduced space between the pickup tines and rotor feeder, while the tine motion helps to avoids pinching.
The cam-less technology requires long strippers, creating a dead zone between the tines and rotor. Additionally, fixed tines can easily pinch crops in sticky conditions, causing plugs that need to be manually removed.
Looking at potential component wear, the cam-track pickup features a low turning speed and big bearings on both side of the tine bars. Also, the cam lever is made of forged steel. These features guarantee a long component life and low maintenance.
Premium – five tine bars – pickup
Tine bars made of tube and central spider reinforcement
R-Series Balers are designed for the most demanding operators. The pickup features only premium components and concepts such as:
Rotor and converging augers aligned on a single axle
Left, HC rotor; right, classic rotor design
By using the HC Premium rotor – a device implemented on John Deere round balers since 2012 – the R-Series feeding system offers:
The overall result is optimized crop flow that avoids all dead area where crops stay for a long time.
This smooth and regular crop flow guarantees high feeding capacity, especially in short crops such as brittle straw or sticky silage.
Premium rotor design with tines fully enclosing the tube
R-Series Round Balers can be delivered with a RotoFlow HC premium non-cutting solution.
All other John Deere round balers are equipped with a rotor feeder:
The RotoFlow HC Premium design has been used for five years on John Deere variable-chamber balers and has demonstrated unsurpassed capacity (John Deere 900 Series official productivity world record) and very high versatility.
MaxiCut HC 13 Premium Rotor
Knives individually protected
As an alternative to the RotoFlow HC Premium, R-Series Balers can be delivered with the MaxiCut HC 13 Premium rotor.
As with the non-cutting system, the rotor features:
The precutter function offers:
MaxiCut HC 25 Premium rotor
Two knife sets can be managed from the monitor
For enhanced forage quality or for special application (poultry bedding, fruits, and vegetables application), MaxiCut HC 25 Premium can be assembled on R-Series Balers.
As with the RotoFlow HC Premium or MaxiCut HC 13 Premium, this fine chop precutter features:
The fine-chop precutter function offers additional features such as:
Hardox is a trademark of SSAB Tunnplat AB Limited.
40-mm (1.6-in.) free space under the rotor
Parallel kinematic avoids bottleneck noticeable with other concepts
R-Series Balers are delivered standard with a drop-floor unplugging system. In case of a clog, the drop floor is managed from the display simultaneously or independently from the knives. When lowering the floor, the parallel kinematic gives 40-mm (1.6-in.) extra free space under the rotor and converging augers.
By providing a constant free space, the John Deere drop floor avoids bottlenecks existing on balers by using a movable floor with front or rear hinge. No need to have a huge opening (that sometimes causes crop loss); only a few free centimeters (inches) are enough to remove the plug.
Full width drop floor removes clogs under converging augers
The worst plugs generally happen when turning with the baler. The bunch of crops is blocked under the converging augers and the clog must be manually removed.
The unique John Deere full-width drop floor protects the full pickup and rotor width. Even when plugged at the converging auger level, the clog can be easily removed by the operator from the cab.
