Upgrading a Lely RP245

Boss Man · Jun 18, 2022

Currently running a lely 245 and have been lely for the past 2 balers previous. While all of them have been near enough problem free there is a few differences on the new MF baler that i am not too kean on.

So what have other people changed to? I will be looking at a mchale but probably the f5600 for the denstiy and net adjustment on the control box (same as the E link) kuhn could be another contender but dealer would be a fair distance away.

balerman · Jun 18, 2022

Boss Man said:
Currently running a lely 245 and have been lely for the past 2 balers previous. While all of them have been near enough problem free there is a few differences on the new MF baler that i am not too kean on.

So what have other people changed to? I will be looking at a mchale but probably the f5600 for the denstiy and net adjustment on the control box (same as the E link) kuhn could be another contender but dealer would be a fair distance away.

Just changed my 245 for a Kuhn 3135,no regrets so far and it makes a tighter bale.I looked at the new agco/welger baler and I wasn’t keen either,lots of changes mainly to suit the combi version and it has 4 big double sprockets when they used to have 2.It was also nearly £5k more than the Kuhn.The modern Kuhn is an improved Vicon from 10 years ago which had the integral auger and rotor which brings it much closer to the pickup.And it has a better screen,IMO McHale kit is not as good as it used to be.

Welsh hill boy · Jun 18, 2022

What are you not keen on? I went from lely to mf version, on its 3rd season and while I was a bit dubious it’s been ok to be fair.

balerman · Jun 18, 2022

Welsh hill boy said:
What are you not keen on? I went from lely to mf version, on its 3rd season and while I was a bit dubious it’s been ok to be fair.

It was moving one of the bottom rollers to the back door,those extra double sprockets and the price for me.I’m sure it’s an upgrade on a 245,the Kuhn certainly is even without the latches on the back door.

Boss Man · Jun 18, 2022

Welsh hill boy said:
What are you not keen on? I went from lely to mf version, on its 3rd season and while I was a bit dubious it’s been ok to be fair.

I wouldnt say im a big fan of the control box but that would be somthing that i would get use too.

the way the drive chains are being run, there is a lot more corners for the chain to run and more sprockets which makes me think more stuff to go wrong. And the biggest thing is taking a roller from the bottom of the chamber to the rear door

Welsh hill boy · Jun 18, 2022

I know what you mean about moving the bottom roller to the back door, doesn’t quite look right but used to occasionally get a bale stuck in the back door on the old baler - don’t seem to get that problem with the Mf, the 2 chains going around the back door is an improvement as that was the first chain to break although they could have just used a stronger chain which would have been a simpler solution.
Control box is fine once you get used to it although you don’t get the left/right bale density on the basic box.

Boss Man · Jun 19, 2022

Welsh hill boy said:
I know what you mean about moving the bottom roller to the back door, doesn’t quite look right but used to occasionally get a bale stuck in the back door on the old baler - don’t seem to get that problem with the Mf, the 2 chains going around the back door is an improvement as that was the first chain to break although they could have just used a stronger chain which would have been a simpler solution.
Control box is fine once you get used to it although you don’t get the left/right bale density on the basic box.

Thanks for you opinion on the baler,

ive only seen the smaller control box with the smaller screen. Do you have the larger control box?

balerman · Jun 19, 2022

Welsh hill boy said:
I know what you mean about moving the bottom roller to the back door, doesn’t quite look right but used to occasionally get a bale stuck in the back door on the old baler - don’t seem to get that problem with the Mf, the 2 chains going around the back door is an improvement as that was the first chain to break although they could have just used a stronger chain which would have been a simpler solution.
Control box is fine once you get used to it although you don’t get the left/right bale density on the basic box.

I have left right density indicators on my Kuhn,but to be honest it is pretty pointless cos it can’t work until it is pressurising the bale.So it’s only for a few seconds just before tying,I haven’t found it any use but the bales come out pretty good anyway.Isobus control box on the whole gives many more functions and anything seems an improvement on the old Lely E link which was overdue an upgrade.

Welsh hill boy · Jun 19, 2022

I’ve only the basic control box.
It makes sense that the density indicators would only work when pressurising and as you say it’s probably of very little actual use in reality but it’s a nice gimmick.
If I was buying again I’d be looking at Mchale, Mf and Kuhn and it would come down to who was offering the best deal at the time, I could be wrong but don’t think there’s a massive difference between the quality of the balers themselves

balerman · Jun 19, 2022

Welsh hill boy said:
I’ve only the basic control box.
It makes sense that the density indicators would only work when pressurising and as you say it’s probably of very little actual use in reality but it’s a nice gimmick.
If I was buying again I’d be looking at Mchale, Mf and Kuhn and it would come down to who was offering the best deal at the time, I could be wrong but don’t think there’s a massive difference between the quality of the balers themselves

They are the 3 best ones IMO,there are differences and one will suit some people more than others.McHale have gone backwards with their netwrap unit cos it infringed the Claas copyright so they had to develop their own,Kuhn still no camless pickup but probably best combined rotor and auger.MF is designed to fit the Tornado so the standalone baler has to fit in.

Upgrading a Lely RP245

Boss Man

Member

balerman

Member

Welsh hill boy

Member

balerman

Member

Boss Man

Member

Welsh hill boy

Member

Boss Man

Member

balerman

Member

Welsh hill boy

Member

balerman

Member

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

May Event: The most profitable farm diversification strategy 2024 - Mobile Data Centres

Share this page