An e-Twin equipped version of Kuhn’s standalone round bale wrapper is now available to the UK market, with the patented wrapping system offering users a fast and cost-effective bale wrapping solution.
The Kuhn RW1100E is the latest machine to join Kuhn’s extensive range of round and square bale wrappers. Based on the existing RW1100 model – a standalone three-point linked round turntable machine which is ideal for ‘wrap-and-stack’ operations – the new E variant incorporates Kuhn’s patented e-Twin wrapping system for improved wrapping speed and cost-efficiency.
The e-Twin system applies two layers of film simultaneously, thereby reducing the amount of labour and fuel required to wrap a bale by up to 50%. The system makes further cost savings by pre-stretching the film by up to 90% so that one roll of film can cover a larger number of bales.
“Pre-stretching and simultaneously applying two layers of film offers farmers a twin win opportunity,” explains Duncan McLeish, UK Sales Manager for Kuhn Farm Machinery. “Not only does the e-Twin system reduce film usage by almost 10%, it also halves the number of turntable revolutions needed to cover each bale thereby reducing the time taken per bale. It also creates tighter bales for improved silage quality and ease of bale handling.”
Applying two layers of film together also has the added advantage of creating one thicker layer of film for better tear resistance.
The e-Twin system pre-stretches two sheets of film by 90% as standard (70% as an option) compared to a conventional single sheet of film which will typically be stretched by a maximum of 70% as standard. “For a contractor wrapping 10,000 round bales and applying 6 layers of film per bale, this could reduce the number of rolls of film used per year by an estimated 8%. At an average cost of £57 per roll that’s equivalent to a saving of £1,909 per year,” Mr McLeish adds.
“The savings from increased productivity are also significant and could account for a saving of an additional £2,000 per year from reduced labour and tractor and fuel requirements. That gives a total saving per 10,000 bales of almost £4,000, making for a rapid return on investment.”
The RW1100E is capable of handling bales up to 1.2m wide by 1.5m in diameter and up to 1,200kgs in weight. It is designed as a standalone unit making it ideal for wrapping bales in the field or at the storage place to minimise the risk of film damage.
The new RW110E can be operated via a two-handle cable control, computer control box or by using the standard equipment remote control. Using the remote control allows the machine to be operated remotely from the seat of the loader vehicle, making the operation of the RW1100E a one-person procedure.
