HI all, we are presently running a heston 4900 witch has proved a formidable tool    the only problem being that it struggles with haylage, what i would like to know is what your exsperiences are with other makes of balers with and without choppers, that are capable of baling grass aswell as straw,  i don,t think that a new machine is on the books so keep that in mind , i will add that i don,t want to go near round balers,  well all responses appreciated good or bad, we all have different ideas about whats good or bad so thanks for your time.

If you're talking grass I think it has to be a Claas Quadrant, they seem to work a little better than others, and they have the experience to go with it.  Welger round balers are good, so maybe the squares are as well.  It's the same with any machine, buy German and you should be safe, but maybe not Krone, the quality can be erratic.

heston is a real good make, on the big square front, try to find out if theres a hesston model renound for being tops at bailing grass and straw.

thanks mate, was looking at the quadrants, they seem to comand a fairly good price secondhand, was also looking at new holland, i guess i will keep looking !!!

Our Krone is very good. It is a variopac and has cutting knives aswell - havent used these as we are only into hay. Control pannel is the business and whole machine is very simple to use. Down sides are parts seem to be quite expensive and quite frequent to change. We have reckoned on new chains and cogs at 25,000 bales of hay. Stopped today to investigate a slight knocking - result is machine now stripped down and stacks of parts due tomorrow and a large bill but at least it will be fit for a few more years. Doesnt take long to come apart, and despite looking complex, is very farmer friendly when it comes to getting tricky bits off.

hi there , yes i know all about krone   spares we have a krone rake and a large krone tedder both very good machines but exspensive to fix, for parts that don,t warrant the price !!!  do you have any idea how heavy the  bales are in grass ?? and what sort of output do you average, sorry for all the questions but just trying to get some idea as to  real life  outputs, not brochure output,  c heers

1.3m diameter bales (round) about 300kg. Outputg depends on soil, fert, grass type, numbr of cuts. Got 5 bales/ac one sandy field. 12 on clay. We aim for 10 bales per ac, one cut, 125kg extran, good quality, no thitles. Then get the beasts out. To pay a rent & do the work you want 7 bales/ac to break even. IMHO only worth doing one cut.