How many knives to run in baler

[valtraman]

Just upgrade to a fusion from a 550. Used to just run 8 knives in 550 when chopping and it still left a decent short cut, fusion minimum is 12 in it just know with blanks in for other 13. I’m thinking of taking more out down to 8 or something . Just makes it easier to drive etc and I think I may get better shape bales with not cutting too short. What other people run?

 

[Greythundercloudys]

I just sharpened and changed my knifes on my claas, 14 knifes on it.

 

[James]

Half the set in my fusion. Have selectable knives so have all in running half at a time. Run with the screen showing the knife pressure cause I'm paranoid about the knives dropping out as has happened in the past

 

[Wellytrack]

Half the set in my fusion. Have selectable knives so have all in running half at a time. Run with the screen showing the knife pressure cause I'm paranoid about the knives dropping out as has happened in the past

Losing the knives in the bale you mean?

 

[James]

Losing the knives in the bale you mean?

No, retracting into the floor. Had a few customers mention it and noticed in are own bales too

 

[KB6930]

As many as possible McHale had 15 so used them all

 

[BIG PACK]

I run with every other knife in my fusion vario , 8 in all chops the grass to about 6inch . Which is enough for my customers .

we tryed it with all 15 in but found it takes a lot more power to drive the baler and the customers said the bales just fell in to a big heap soon has you took the net off and they all preferred them with half a set in .

 

[HarryB97]

It depends how the customer will be feeding the bale. For putting silage through a mixer wagon or straw blower have the whole set in but for ring feeders or horse haylage half a set would be better.

 

[Nithsdale]

I've a f5500... I honestly can't tell you how many blades it has off the top of my head but I took out every 2nd blade.

With them all in, the chop is too fine and the bales fall to bits too much. You just can't work with them in winter

 

[valtraman]

Think I’m going to take more out down to 8 or 9 like my old baler had then

 

[wdah/him]

always full set in the baler here but i have heard of fusion trouble with all23? knives in so would run a half set there

 

[v8willy]

Half set, unless asked for full set, do our own with full set also.

 

[Monty]

We run all 14 in ours. Seems a nice chop length.

 

[Wellytrack]

 

[milkloss]

Why would you do this? Bales could be a bit difficult to move If you handled them rough.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

We used to run half sets in our Fusions, I think they held 23? They made a better shaped bale with knives in the outside slots for some reason, ie 12 not 11. For what that's worth

 

[Wellytrack]

Why would you do this? Bales could be a bit difficult to move If you handled them rough.

I expect that’s true. Probably get loads of straw in them though - and would be excellent for a tub mixer thereafter.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Why would you do this? Bales could be a bit difficult to move If you handled them rough.

A nice hot day I can see something there catching fire...

 

[Hesstondriver]

krone here , can have 17 in but i leave the out sides off so 15 used. helps keep the edge side in place especially on shorter stuff

 

[hally]

12 here in fusion3