New Holland balers have been around for 50 years, and to celebrate that anniversary, new baler innovations and updates will be on display at the Cattlemen’s Convention in Florida.
Since 1974, New Holland has been among the leaders in round baler innovation. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its round balers, a year-long celebration of prizes is in store for New Holland owners. To participate, New Holland round baler owners can submit their story and a photo of their baler online or by scanning a QR code at their local New Holland dealership for a chance to win a commemorative prize pack.
Fifty lucky winners will receive an exclusive prize pack with 50th-anniversary stickers and decals, a 50th-anniversary hat, a special edition 1/64 2024 farm show toy set featuring a T6.180 tractor with a Roll-Belt 560 round baler, and more. Selected submissions from the giveaway will be featured on New Holland’s social media platforms throughout 2024.
This milestone is not solely a reflection on the past but a glimpse into the future. New Holland recognizes the evolution of its round balers over the past 50 years and its role as an innovator in shaping the next chapter of haytool technology.
In tandem with this celebration, New Holland has opted to offer the industry-leading 2+3 Warranty on round balers.
“From the hitch to the bale ramp, two full years or up to 15,000 bales of factory coverage are standard, plus an additional third year or 22,500-bale pickup coverage,” said Jordan Milewski, senior brand marketing manager of conventional haytools for New Holland.
Automated baling system: IntelliSense Bale Automation
At its core, IntelliSense Bale Automation provides operators with a complete automated baling system focused on feed rate and swath guidance. It achieves this by combining two operator-assisted baling modes:
- SmartSteer swath guidance acts as autosteering for precise navigation of the tractor and baler along the windrow. This mode allows hands-free driving when the swath is detected. Steering automation can be turned off and on at any time by pushing a button or moving the steering wheel.
- IntelliCruise II controls tractor speed, responding dynamically to variation in material feedrate into the baler. The operator sets the number of slices per bale target and the maximum speed limit. Once set, the baler will continuously adjust the forward speed to achieve the bale slices target.
The cornerstone of IntelliSense Bale Automation is the industry’s first LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology. Installed on the front end of a tractor cab roof, it emits laser pulses to calculate distance based on reflections from the windrow. The LiDAR measures swath cross-section and speed input to prevent overloads and forecast swath changes by detecting the tractor 19-26 feet ahead, even in low-light or nighttime conditions. The LiDAR processor determines swath position and shape, relaying this information to the tractor’s ISOBUS steering.
With the IntelliSense Bale Automation system, New Holland aims to increase four elements critical to operations and operators: baling productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency, and operator comfort.
“The IntelliSense Bale Automation system is not only focused on output and the bottom line but stands out for its prioritization of operator well-being and safety,” Littlefield says. “At the heart of our design is a commitment to putting operators first and creating technology that addresses their most important needs for a seamless and productive experience.”
The IntelliSense Baler Automation system is compatible with Class 3 ISOBUS tractors — specifically, the T7 LWB, T7 HD, and T8 from New Holland — and model year 2022 and model year 2023 New Holland BigBaler Large Square Balers.
Starting in 2025, customers can place orders for the IntelliSense Bale Automation system as a factory-fit option. Immediate system integration is now available as a New Holland dealer-installed accessory option.
New day, new brand image
Beginning in 2024, New Holland is steering toward a unified brand image and global identity, transitioning its haytool styling to a striking yellow. New Holland is aligning its brand to present the cohesive and powerful message of blue tractors and yellow harvesting implements, including hay tools, with sleek, “Inspired by Nature” styling globally.
As New Holland embraces this transformative journey, the yellow transition begins with commercial hay tools for late model year 2024, then unfolds in the model year 2025 to include the Pro-Belt round balers.
“Transitioning our haytools to vibrant yellow isn’t just about a color change. It’s a bold statement on our future,” states Carlo Lambro, brand president of New Holland. “This shift marks our dedication to pushing boundaries and providing farmers with tools to stand out in the field and improve their efficiency and experience.”
Making custom baling easier: Bale Manager app
In a strategic move to modernize custom round baling, New Holland has unveiled its latest innovation, the Bale Manager app. This technology allows operators and customers to simplify and streamline baling data from their smart devices, including:
- Store data: Baling data can be stored on a mobile device or tablet.
- Monitor baling activity: Capture bale count, size, and moisture in real time.
- Simplify accounts receivable: Capture the job and invoice customers from the tractor cab. Professional invoices are created and can be sent by text, email, WhatsApp, or directly to a wireless printer.
- Export data: Invoice data can be exported as a .pdf, .qif (Quicken Interchange Format), or, soon, .csv for spreadsheets.
- Search through completed jobs: The app allows users to filter data by bale count, date, crop type, field name, customer name, or invoice status to locate data from prior work.
The app is compatible with Roll-Belt Series round balers equipped with the Bale Command II PLUS electronics system. Bale data communicates seamlessly to the app via a Bluetooth module connecting to the monitor harness’s diagnostic port.
Available for download in the App Store and Google Play platforms with the necessary components readily accessible from a local New Holland dealer, the app is a versatile solution for custom baling operators to capture data and streamline customer service and invoicing efficiency.
“With the Bale Manager app, we’re not just counting bales. We’re elevating the way custom operators manage their business,” explained Brad Littlefield, precision marketing manager of the dairy and livestock segment for New Holland. “Streamlining custom baling processes, eliminating hassles, and ensuring prompt invoicing, this app brings efficiency, convenience, and peace of mind to every bale. It’s a digital leap forward from the traditional notebook and pen to a user-friendly app that better connects operators with their customers’ data.”
