Isobus electronics feature for the first time on McHale fixed-size round balers as part of a host of upgrades that warrant a change of identity from F5000 to F5 series.

Other changes include a new pick-up and crop intake channel, a 1,000rpm gearbox as an alternative to the standard 540rpm unit, and a revised net feed system with increased tension to stretch the material 25% more than previously.

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There are four models as before, beginning with the F5-540 – a non-chopping machine with the basic Wizard controller – and the F5-550 with 15-knife crop slicing system and isobus option.

The latter is standard on the F5-560 and F5-560 Plus, which have a finer chopping system with up to 25 knives.

The Plus model also comes with net or film binding for operators who want to use the same type of plastic for securing and wrapping bales for more convenient recycling storage.

In-cab density adjustment using McHale’s i-Control 5 terminal is part of the package, along with the new overall diameter adjustment between 1.25m and 1.3m.

Isobus brings automated tailgate open/close, together with more information and adjustments in the cab.

Smoother crop flow

Up front, the fixed-chamber machines get McHale’s Profi-Flo pick-up and adaptive intake that now features across the entire range of balers and baler-wrappers.

Designed for improved crop flow in all baling situations, the adaptive intake consists of a pivoting floor plate that alters the aperture depth to variations in crop volume.

It’s positioned immediately behind a 2.1m wide pick-up that can be a five-bar cam-operated or six-bar camless design, both with stainless steel bands.

List prices start at £40,896 for the F5-540 and £65,330 for the F5-560 Plus with all the bells and whistles.