Ultimate guide to buying a round baler 2027

Baler buyers have several freshened-up ranges to consider, with Claas, John Deere and the Kubota group – which includes the Kubota, Kverneland and Vicon brands – making some of the biggest changes to this year’s guide.

Case IH

RB456 and RB466 designations replace most RB455/465 round-baler listings and come with updates announced just ahead of last year’s Agritechnica show.

These include stronger drive chains, better-sealed bearings and reinforced rollers to improve durability and reduce maintenance.

Standard isobus brings tractor/baler automation with a compatible tractor, while optional FieldOps connectivity records bale locations and moisture readings.

See also: Contractor adapts McHale Fusion for single-pass silage bales

Further updates announced for 2027 include a strengthened bale chamber and more monitor choices.

The heavier-duty HD Pro models also gain crop-flow improvements and expanded bale tracking and mapping. Both ranges can use CNH’s compostable netting.

Claas

Rollant 630 models replace the 540 range, bringing the standalone balers into line with the Uniwrap’s design and components.

A 16-roller chamber replaces the previous 15-roller layout, while fewer drive chains and larger sprockets aim to reduce wear and maintenance. The latest addition is optional film binding for the 630 RC Comfort.

New Cerex 700 variable-chamber balers slot above the Variant range for larger farms and contractors.

Two wide endless belts, a dedicated hydraulic density-control system and a heavy-duty driveline are designed to produce denser bales at higher work rates.

Cutter versions offer 25 knives, while hydraulic net tensioning aims to reduce binding-material use.

Available equipment includes moisture sensing, a bale-monitoring camera and work lights, and Variant balers also gain Multiflow pick-up improvements.

Fendt

Fendt’s round baler line-up carries over, with the manufacturer reporting price changes only since last year’s guide. Existing Rotana options include cab-controlled net/film roll selection on Combi models and a rear camera.

Goweil

The Austrian maker’s G1 F125 and its baler-wrapper counterpart retain their specifications and £53,500 and £115,000 price tags.

John Deere

Updated Deere round balers gain model numbers ending in “2”, reflecting a new generation that has gained stronger drivelines, revised controls and improved connectivity.

MaxiCut HC68 and HC40 designations now describe theoretical cutting lengths of 68mm and 40mm, using 13 and 25 knives, respectively.

V452R/V462R models offer automatic weaving via a pivoting drawbar for even chamber filling, plus faster bale release and increased density.

M-series machines gain tougher drivelines and revised belts, while C442R, C452R and C462R baler-wrappers offer faster wrapping and optional bale weighing.

Moisture monitoring and Operations Center recording add further options.

Krone

Krone’s UK listing has been slimmed down significantly, with several models and configurations removed and others replaced by updated machines.

Among the round balers, ComPack Pro builds on the outgoing Comprima Plus with refreshed isobus controls, optional digital cameras and an integrated silage additive system.

Kubota

Kubota’s substantial round baler update centres on the new BV6160 and BV6190 variable-chamber machines, producing bales up to 1.65m and 1.85m diameter.

A wider 2.3m pick-up, larger intake rotor and revised hydraulics aim to improve feeding and bale density, while better bearing access and optional automatic greasing ease maintenance.

Optional TIM Pack 2.0 takes more work off the operator’s hands, automatically shifting the baler across the swath for even chamber filling and stopping the tractor and pto when a blockage occurs.

Kubota Sync and FarmCenter connectivity provide additional machine and productivity monitoring.

Kuhn

Kuhn’s latest additions include 33-knife versions of the VBP7160 and VBP7190 baler-wrappers, providing a theoretical 34mm chop for producers wanting shorter-cut silage.

A sliding knife cassette simplifies maintenance, while the driveline has been upgraded to suit.

The standalone VB7160 and VB7190 also gain more automation, including GPS-controlled pick-up lifting and TIM compatibility. Optional bale weighing works alongside moisture measurement to calculate dry-matter yields.

Kverneland

Kverneland joins the guide with a UK round baler range built at the group’s Ravenna factory in Italy.

The line-up comprises the 18-roller 6500F fixed-chamber machine, Densus 7060 and 7090 variable-chamber balers, and the non-stop FastBale baler-wrapper.

The expansion gives Kverneland dealers a more complete forage equipment offering.

The new Densus models produce bales up to 1.65m and 1.85m diameter, with plain-rotor or 15-knife intakes.

A 2.3m pick-up and revised driveline target output and durability, while optional TIM automation can shift the baler across the swath for even filling and assist with blockage clearance.

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson’s round balers carry over largely unchanged, except for isobus now being listed as standard. Revised list prices are the other main difference in this year’s guide.

McHale

McHale’s V6-II and V8-II variable-chamber balers replace the previous generation with improved bale-shape sensing, larger-capacity oilers and quick-attach pick-up wheels.

Chopping models gain standard isobus and active density control, adjusting chamber pressure as each bale builds. Door-latch load cells give the operator a more accurate indication of even filling.

For contractors working on steep or slippery ground, the Fusion 4 Plus gets an optional TerraDrive hydraulic axle.

It automatically matches the tractor’s speed and engages when required, with wider VF tyres further improving grip and flotation.

Metal-Fach

The Z562 R and RN disappear from the guide, leaving the Z562 at £18,700 as the Polish outfit’s sole entry in the guide, sold through Zetor UK.

New Holland

New Holland’s Roll-Belt 150 and 180 gain Plus replacements, with stronger chamber rollers, improved bearings and uprated drive chains targeting longer working life.

Standard isobus brings touchscreen control and access to IntelliBale automation with compatible tractors, while optional FieldOps connectivity provides machine tracking and bale records. European dealers also now offer compostable Nature’s Net Wrap.

Pottinger

The line-up and recorded specifications remain unchanged for Pottinger machines, with prices rising by about 2.7% across the range.

Siromer

Siromer joins the guide this year with its two compact round balers aimed at smallholders wanting to make their own forage using a modestly sized tractor.

The P10T and P10N offer twine or net binding, with a stated tractor requirement of 24-50hp.

Adjustable bale weight and an onboard hydraulic pump keep operation straightforward, with no tractor spool valve required.

Vicon

Vicon’s variable-chamber offering moves to the new generation VariBale 160 and 190, producing bales up to 1.65m and 1.85m in diameter.

Rotor-fed versions gain a 2.3m pick-up and larger intake rotor, while revised drives and improved service access target reliability and easier maintenance.

Optional TIM Pack 2.0 automatically shifts the baler across the swath for even filling and assists with blockage clearance.

Wolagri

All three models from Italian compact baler maker Wolagri carry over from last year with unchanged specifications and prices, ranging from £15,500 to £29,500.

Machines are available from Aberdeenshire dealer Marrs of Methlick.