Robert Folkerts is a silage and hay baling contractor in the Waikato, and he is proud of his Krone balers, a KR10-16S from 1996, and a VARIOPACK1500MC from 2002.
Robert also owns 2 Krone mower conditioners, one with rollers an AMT323CRi, and one with steel V-tines, an AM283CV. The KR10-16S has done over 70,000 bales now and still punches out a good bale. The VP1500MC has just passed the 15,000 bales after the first full season in operation.
“One of the main reasons for using Krone balers is due to their ability to bale under all crop conditions”, says Robert. “We are baling a high percentage of silage, and the bale forming system is trouble free, and does not require periodic clearing.”
“The best 3 improvements of the new VARIOPACK compared to the KR10-16S would be the net wrap operation, the 5 bar pick-up with increased crop velocity, and the extra density attainable by having more knives in the cutting system. On both machines I like the fact that the net wrap system is in full view of the operator.”
Krone head engineer Dr. Klaus Martensen (below) visited New Zealand in February 2003 and met up with Robert Folkerts.
Krone round baler No 1 for 10th consecutive year
Krone again demonstrates market leadership with 30% market share in round balers.
Spelle, 13 November 2002 - Krone round balers are once again out in front and pressing ahead in Germany. Recent analysis of the 2001/2002 season shows that Krone has a 30% market share in Germany, clearly retaining the pole position.
Krone has successfully kept the round baler market leadership position for 10 consecutive years. Like previous years the trend is towards the variable chamber machines (VarioPack), and Krone sees an opportunity in the market by being the only manufacturer to offer a variable chamber integrated baling and wrapping system (CombiPack). This demonstrates the wide range of market leading and innovative baler/wrapping combinations from Krone.
Frequently Asked Question
A Frequently Asked Question about VarioPack balers is about the maintenance costs, and it is difficult to give a definitive answer due to varying conditions. In particular, what does it cost to replace the elevator chains on a Krone baler?
Since the Krone balers are often working in the extremes of conditions, one would expect a higher maintenance cost per bale. To meet the request for lower maintenance costs Krone has come up with a special indent deal on a replacement set of elevator chains and slats.
The set consists of new sprockets as well as chains and slats, in order to avoid new chains being fitted to worn sprockets. The retail price of this set for a VP1500 is $5,400 + GST, which is approximately the same cost as a set of belts from most brands of belt balers.
For further information please contact your local Tulloch dealer.
New grader blader model from Fransgard
Last year TFM introduced a range of robust grader blades from danish manufacturer Fransgard. The 2.1m wide GT-210 represents excellent value at less than $3,000 + GST, with a full range up to the 3m wide GT-300P with hydraulic angle and offset adjustment.
To complement the range, Fransgard will now offer a 3 ram version with a horizontal tilt of 40 degrees. There are 2 tilt models, the GT-250PH at 2.5m wide and the GT-300PH at 3.0m wide.
RABE Cultivation Equipment
Tulloch Farm Machines has recently made an agreement to distribute the RABE range of cultivation equipment in New Zealand.
The first shipments have arrived in New Zealand, and a testing programme is underway. Some of the new products will be presented at the TFM site at the National Fieldays 2003. RABE’s Export Manager plans to attend.
This new distributorship is in line with the TFM company’s strategy to become a full line distributor of specialised farm machines for the contractor and large farmer.
RABE is a German manufacturer founded in 1890, specialising in cultivation equipment. The implements are coloured deep blue, and each type of implement is named after a bird, for example ploughs are named Raven and disc harrows are named Golden Eagle. RABE is widely recognised in Germany as of the highest quality, and is also a well respected brand in the UK.
The RABE company has made it’s name through slatted (skeleton) mouldboards, patented hardening systems on wearing parts, a non-compromise attitude to quality, and innovation in design.
Tulloch Farm Machines has recently made an agreement to distribute the RABE range of cultivation equipment in New Zealand.
The first shipments have arrived in New Zealand, and a testing programme is underway. Some of the new products will be presented at the TFM site at the National Fieldays 2003. RABE’s Export Manager plans to attend.
This new distributorship is in line with the TFM company’s strategy to become a full line distributor of specialised farm machines for the contractor and large farmer.
RABE is a German manufacturer founded in 1890, specialising in cultivation equipment. The implements are coloured deep blue, and each type of implement is named after a bird, for example ploughs are named Raven and disc harrows are named Golden Eagle. RABE is widely recognised in Germany as of the highest quality, and is also a well respected brand in the UK.
The RABE company has made it’s name through slatted (skeleton) mouldboards, patented hardening systems on wearing parts, a non-compromise attitude to quality, and innovation in design.
Head Office for RABE
FMS Concept
The company has introduced the FMS concept in manufacturing (flexible manufacturing systems), allowing any item to be manufactured within 4 weeks from date of order. This is part of a new initiative to meet customer’s needs while significantly reducing the cost of holding inventory. Some of the new products will be presented at the National Fieldays 2003, and RABE’s Export Manager plans to attend.
A selection of RABE equipment in the field - notice the striking blue.
Allan Taute
Service Manager
Allan joined the company as Service Manager in August 2002 when Philip O’Neale left.
Allan and his wife owned and managed a farm machinery dealership and engineering shop in Zimbabwe employing about 65 staff. They also owned a farm, and Allan worked on the farm on his “weekends off”.
They had to leave Zimbabwe when the political situation became unstable, and decided to come to New Zealand where 2 of their 3 children live.
Allan’s experience in running a service based business is already proving to be very valuable to the company.