Improve Hay Drydown and Increase Capacity

If you're looking for a machine to handle hay, the latest innovations from Case IH – the DC3 series mower conditioners, the RB565 round baler, and the LB4 series large square balers – may fit nicely into your haymaking plans.

DC3 Disc Mower Conditioner

The DC3 series disc mower conditioners are designed to improve drydown for better hay quality and higher profits. A new cutterbar design with wide discs cuts closer and cleaner, leaving less hay in the field. Larger-diameter discs improve crop flow and windrow consistency.

Designed for easy, uninterrupted use, the conditioners have lightweight, impact-resistant plastic access doors, which simplify adjustments, says Zach Hetterick, Case IH livestock equipment marketing manager. "Adjustments can be done in the field," he notes. "Producers don't even require tools to make alterations to the conditioners, swath doors, or swath board."

New shielding minimizes the opportunity for material to build up as it creates windrows. A simplified drive system helps to minimize horsepower consumption and maintenance needs, says Hetterick.

Base price is about $43,000.

RB565 Round Baler

The RB565 provides 20% more capacity than previous models of round balers. The new overshot feeder between the pickup and bale chamber creates a quick and even feed of material into the chamber. The new roller windguard and five-bar pickup comb the crop off the ground for fast and even feeding.

The RB565 is built to last, says Hetterick. The redesigned pickup has been strengthened with enhancements that include double spider gears, solid line bars, and rubber-mounted teeth that provide five times the wear life of the previous-generation teeth. Belt tracking and durability have never been better, due to all-new premium belts available in laced or endless design. Bale size can vary from 500 to 2,500 pounds.

The baler has also been made easier to operate with the Case IH ISOBUS-compliant control system. You can now run the baler through the AFS Pro 700 display in your tractor. It features a simple layout and large touch-screen monitor.

Base price for the RB565 is approximately $44,000.

LB4 Square Baler

In the past several months, Case IH has added a number of other products to the livestock/hay/forage lines, including the LB4 series of large square balers. Running at 48 strokes per minute, these balers increase capacity by up to 20% over previous models, helping to maximize short baling time frames, says the company.