Something for everyone…

22 August 1997

Something for everyone…

By Andy Collings

A RANGE of combine harvesters and balers which has something to offer the whole farming spectrum, has been the aim of New Holland for its 1998 line-up.

It involves the introduction of new models, new options and a series of upgrades.

Kicking off with the TX combine range – a range which now has has a roll-call of eight, rather than five – top dog is the 310hp TX68, knocking the existing 280hp TX68 into second place. Both models have 9500 litre grain tanks and 20ft to 30ft header options, the 30ft header itself a new development for the 98 season.

Next comes the 255hp TX67 which, with similar capacity as the current TX66, has been designed as a "narrow" machine. Overall width, unheaded, is a slimline 3.3m (10ft 10in) which should hold some appeal for single-lane road users, if not for following motorists.

But, just as slimming is not the easiest of exercises for most of us, New Holland has had to cut down on its hardware. The TX67 employs an electro-hydraulic gear change system – buttons to select gears rather than a gear stick. This avoids having to create space, and as a result width, for a linkage system descending into the gearbox.

With wheels set less than a fingers width from the side of the combine some might consider there could be trouble in store when working in sticky conditions.

The 255hp TX66 remains unchanged but then come two new models – the 240hp TX65 Plus and the 220hp TX64 Plus. New Holland buffs will realise that the current 220hp TX65 has been replaced by the TX64 Plus.

More designation swapping follows with the introduction of the 205hp TX63 Plus, replacing the TX64 while the TX62 manages to find another 3hp to now be rated at 190hp.

While many of the features associated with the TX range have been retained, there have been a few additions. Notably, the introduction of a "flip-up" rotary dust screen which not only speeds up radiator and screen cleaning time but allows better access to the engine. There is now wider use of the one-piece, hydraulic connector when the header is attached.

Still with combines, the TF76 Elektra model joins the Twin-Flow combine range. Described as being a smaller version of the companys flagship TF78 Elektra, its power comes from a 255hp block.

Features include an 8000-litre grain tank, a self-levelling cleaning shoe and, as before, use of the twin-flow rotary threshing system.

Moving on to the baler front, New Holland is endeavouring to fill some conspicuous gaps in its line-up.

Two twin-tine versions of last years new entry, the 544 fixed chamber round baler are to be available for next year, supplementing the two existing Bale Command Plus models which offered a choice of twine or net wrap and a high degree of electronic control.

Offered with a 1.5m or 2m (5ft or 6ft 6in) pick-up, the new models are described as being simple to operate and, compared to current versions, of a lower specification.

The twin-tine system is activated either manually by pulling a string, or electronically by pressing a button in the cab. Pre-set indicators on the front of the baler inform the operator when a bale has been made to required density.

Power requirement is about 65hp at the pto with protection provided by a standard shearbolt system.

For the big square bale squad, grass chopper versions of the D1210 and D1010 balers are set to be introduced. Designated "CropCutter" models, both are intended to cater for those who prefer to work with short material. There is, of course, also the prospect of making fewer, heavier bales.

The D1010, which produces bales 80cm wide, 90cm high and up to 250cm long, employs six spring protected knives through which the crop is pushed by three packer arms. Material, in theory at least, can be reduced to 12cm lengths. The knives are placed into the cutting position hydraulically.

In many ways, pretty conventional by todays standards, but greater sophistication is to found on the D1210 CropCutter.

Key to the system is to be found just to the rear of the pick-up. A 1.4m wide steel rotor pushes the crop through a bank of 33 knives to produce a chop length of about 4cm. Of no mean build, the rotor weighs in at 1.5t, contributing a significant portion of the balers 9.5t all-up weight.

And how do you service a bank of knives buried in the heart of a baler? New Holland has built the knife department as a separate unit which can be slid out to the side enabling damaged or blunt blades to be removed or sharpened. It also allows blanking sections to be fitted when chop length needs to be increased.

Predictably, power requirements increase following the introduction of a facility to cut grass. New Holland recommends a minimum of 110hp for the D1010 and 150hp for the D1210.

Both models are supplied as standard with the manufacturers Bale Command monitoring and control system which automatically maintains bale density to pre-set levels.

240hp for the new mid-range TX65 Plus – one of five new models for 98.

Flip-up rotary dust screen allows easy access to the radiator and speeds up any dust clearing operations.

CropCutter version of the D1210 big sqare baler. The system requires an extra 30hp at the pto, says New Holland.

Knife assembly slides out from beneath the D1210 baler. The 33 individually sprung knives are raised and lowered hydraulically.

ModelHpHeader widthsGrain tankPrice from

TX68 Plus 31020ft – 30ft9500£181,400

TX6828020ft – 30ft9500£177,840

TX6725517ft – 20ft8500£170,500

TX6625517ft – 20ft8500£160,410

TX65 Plus24017ft – 20ft8000£149,975

TX64 Plus22017ft – 20ft7200£140,823

TX63 Plus20517ft – 20ft7200£125,988

TX6219015ft – 17ft7200£122,336

TF76 Elektra 25520ft – 24ft8000£178,580

New Holland balers – new additions

544 Twin Twine balers

1.5m pick-up: £11,538

2m pick-up: £15,700

D1210 CropCutter £76,068

D1010 CropCutter £60,171