Vicon is back in round balers. An agreement by parent company Kverneland to sell Gallignani-built balers in its own livery sees the company re-enter a market it was set to lose following the sale of its baler business to Kuhn.

And Vicon is back in some force, with the introduction of two fixed-chamber roller balers aimed at the silage market and two variable chamber models for those involved in straw, hay and silage baling.

The variable chamber RV4216 and RV4220 balers produce bales with dimensions from 0.9-1.65m and 0.9-2m and employ five endless belts. Two rollers at the front of the chamber are designed to start the crop rolling.

A feature of these new models is the ability to control the density of the inner, middle and outer bale sections from the cab. Vicon calls it Intelligent Density and it is controlled by altering the hydraulic pressure on the belts at different stages during the creation of the bale.

For fixed chamber users, the RF3325 and RF3225 both produce bales with diameters of 1.25m. The key difference between the two is that the RF3325 has a full set of 17 rollers and the RF3225 has rollers only for the main section of the chamber and then chain and slats in the rear door.

Common to both variable and fixed chamber balers is a spring-loaded 2.2m-wide pick-up fitted with five tine bars and internal twin cam-track systems. The pick-up also uses two centre bearings to provide greater support.

Balers can be specified with 14 or 25-knife chopping units although Vicon believes the biggest demand in the UK, where conditions favour a slightly longer cut, will be for the 14-knife units.

Should a blockage occur, the floor immediately in front of the bale chamber can be lowered to loosen the crop and release the blockage so baling can be resumed.

Both twin and net wrapping are available – four net rolls are stored and loaded at waist level and for those who still prefer twine, there is on-board storage for up to five spools.

An updated electronic control system will be available. Developed by Kverneland’s Mechatronics Centre, variable chamber models will have full isobus compatibility as standard.

Kverneland takes 30% share in Gallignani

This autumn will see the Norwegian-based Kverneland Group taking a 30% share of Italian baler manufacturer Gallignani – a move which will cement an agreement that allows Kverneland Group to effectively control the marketing of all Gallignani-built built Vicon and MF-branded round balers in the UK.

This means that all sales and product support will now be the responsibility of Kverneland and includes round balers marketed by Agco as MF balers.

The agreement also extends to sales of such balers in France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and Poland and also involve Fendt-branded round balers where they are available.

Kverneland sold off its Vicon baler business to Kuhn in Dec 2008 with an agreement for the company to continue selling Vicon balers until September this year.