Claas Rollant 540rc

[Elpresidente]

I currently own and run a Rollant 374 rc which has been almost faultless so far. I‘m looking for views and thoughts off anyone who owns or who has driven the new 540rc. I’m well aware that Mchale is probably the best round baler and I have driven several Mchale balers from the,F550 to the latest F5500. They are great balers with one main weakness no net loading system. As a bad back sufferer the system that Claas has used for years is fantastic with the chute you slide the net up. The other thing I like about the Claas is being able to watch how the bale lands when working on steep slopes through the gap between the rollers. Of course the other problem with changing from a Claas to a Mchale would be the hit in trade in value.

 

[Josh 950]

We had a new 540rc last year, very good baler big improvement on the 374 rc we had before, we have had 3 374s . From memory the 540 weights 750kg more than the 374 so more steel used ,most of the weak points have been addressed, my advice would be to make sure it’s 1000 rpm, I know of a 540 drive one and it’s had slip clutch problems. High speed equals lower torque and vice versa

 

[Elpresidente]

We had a new 540rc last year, very good baler big improvement on the 374 rc we had before, we have had 3 374s . From memory the 540 weights 750kg more than the 374 so more steel used ,most of the weak points have been addressed, my advice would be to make sure it’s 1000 rpm, I know of a 540 drive one and it’s had slip clutch problems. High speed equals lower torque and vice versa

My 374 is 1000 rpm it’s the way to go. What about bale densities have they improved?

 

[Josh 950]

Yeah bale weight is up about 10% , always ran 374 at full pressure in straw , 540 is 1 1/2 turns off full pressure for the same bale weight.

 

[Elpresidente]

Yeah bale weight is up about 10% , always ran 374 at full pressure in straw , 540 is 1 1/2 turns off full pressure for the same bale weight.

That’s a big improvement, my friend runs a Mchale F5500 and I could get to within 5kg of his bale weights in straw ewith my Claas so a 540 should get up to Mchale densities no problem. How about bale netting system is it unchanged from previous Claas balers, and is it reliable? Also does your 540 have the new design pick up reel wheels. Sorry about all the questions lol.

 

[Josh 950]

That’s a big improvement, my friend runs a Mchale F5500 and I could get to within 5kg of his bale weights in straw ewith my Claas so a 540 should get up to Mchale densities no problem. How about bale netting system is it unchanged from previous Claas balers, and is it reliable? Also does your 540 have the new design pick up reel wheels. Sorry about all the questions lol.

I’ve got the old style wheels I’m to tight to pay for the folding wheels, netting is the same and just as reliable, don’t worry about the questions I’m happy to help

 

[mgagri]

Just swapped my 374rc for a 540rc, chalk and cheese for me.
New 540rc is a superb bit of kit, get the folding wheels they're worth every penny
Used to run full pressure on silage/haylage and now I'm a full two turns back for same density.
Also I really like the continuous chain lube as appose to the previous back door activation.

 

[mgagri]

Also had to fit wedges in the back door of the 374rc to stop bales sticking and not ejecting, it did this from new and they had to be fitted from new. My previous 340 also needed them.
No such problems with the new 540rc
Cheers.

 

[Chips]

Getting a price on one of these balers , is everyone still pleased with them ? In particular are they as good at retaining bale shape in silage as the Mchales ?

 

[glasshouse]

What about the variant?

 

[Elpresidente]

I ended up buying a Kuhn as at the time it was 5k cheaper than the Claas. I’m well pleased with it bale shape and density is good and netter runs faultlessl. It’s a FB 3130 roller baler

 

[balerman]

I’ve just bought a 3135,only done 1 field but impressed so far.Bale density is better than the previous Welger, due to the integral auger and feed rotor I think.

 

[glasshouse]

I’ve just bought a 3135,only done 1 field but impressed so far.Bale density is better than the previous Welger, due to the integral auger and feed rotor I think.

Fixed chamber?

 

[balerman]

Fixed chamber?

Yes

 

[DrDunc]

Getting a price on one of these balers , is everyone still pleased with them ? In particular are they as good at retaining bale shape in silage as the Mchales ?

The near 20 year old McHale "design" (they copied the best bits off everyone else) is no longer the benchmark for bale density

Trialled balers last summer before changing, bought a Kuhn fb3135

 

[Pistonbroke]

The basic principle of a fixed chamber roller baler hasn't changed since the first ones,so density is just down to how strong the drivetrain is,how much pressure the rollers will take without collapsing and the pressure keeping the door shut. Now claas have strengthened the rollers which were a common failure,they can increase the pressure on the chamber. How the stuff gets in there is a different subject but horsing 30 ft rows in as fast as it will go might clear the field quicker and smaller rows given more time to roll will be heavier bales

 

[DrDunc]

The basic principle of a fixed chamber roller baler hasn't changed since the first ones,so density is just down to how strong the drivetrain is,how much pressure the rollers will take without collapsing and the pressure keeping the door shut. Now claas have strengthened the rollers which were a common failure,they can increase the pressure on the chamber. How the stuff gets in there is a different subject but horsing 30 ft rows in as fast as it will go might clear the field quicker and smaller rows given more time to roll will be heavier bales

I was "horsing" 34 foot rows of bone dry straw into the wee fixed chamber Kuhn last autumn

Bales were between 250 and 280 kg

No sure I want to go much slower and make the bales heavier ?

There's no doubt that new roller balers are packing far into the same basic boring fixed size shape than older machine designs

Do you know if when strengthening the roller, claas also updated the shaft and awful Woodruff key sprocket drive arrangement? They were a right baßtard to take apart

 

[Pistonbroke]

I was "horsing" 34 foot rows of bone dry straw into the wee fixed chamber Kuhn last autumn

Bales were between 250 and 280 kg

No sure I want to go much slower and make the bales heavier ?

There's no doubt that new roller balers are packing far into the same basic boring fixed size shape than older machine designs

Do you know if when strengthening the roller, claas also updated the shaft and awful Woodruff key sprocket drive arrangement? They were a right baßtard to take apa

The shaft is bolted to the end of the roller now and the steel is a lot thicker but I don't know any more than that

rt

 

[Farmer Jim!]

Whats the rough price of a Claas 540RC at the moment?

 

[Chips]

Do you know if when strengthening the roller, claas also updated the shaft and awful Woodruff key sprocket drive arrangement? They were a right baßtard to take apart

They have , and this is the reason I am thinking of changing mine , the dam key sheared off when trying to put new bearings on the door hinge roller and I have had to swallow a contractors bill to get 1st cut done !