Versatile baler handles wide product range

Maschio Gaspardo introduces the Extreme 266 Isotronic round baler. It has been designed with variable geometry and chamber, which allows using it for every type of product under varying conditions. The pre-chamber is electronically controlled from the tractor cab.

The Extreme 266 Isotronic is a round baler, designed and manufactured by Maschio Gaspardo. It combines the best features of both fixed and variable chamber balers. The machine has been designed to provide the best combination of bale pressures and sizes, as well as offering a perfect balance between high performance and ease of use. These features make it possible to meet the needs of all types of farms.

Extreme 266 Isotronic is the latest generation version, updated with the ISOBUS communication protocol. All working parameters can be managed conveniently from the tractor’s ISOBUS terminal, in a simple and intuitive way.

The Extreme 266 Isotronic is a round baler with variable chamber and variable geometry, able to create bales with a variable diameter of between 50 and 165 cm and an excellent weight thanks to a variable hydraulic pressure managed by the operator from the tractor cab.

The possibility of using a fixed chamber of the desired size and the simple pressure management, make this machine suitable for working in different conditions.

The most important advantage of the Extreme 266  is the possibility to benefit from the variable chamber’s features. When properly treated, hay and alfalfa retain their protein and nutritional content for longer storage.

The management of the variable chamber is made possible by a double pressing arm controlled by hydraulic cylinders: the first one defines pressure and diameter of the bale with the possibility of creating a pre-chamber, while the second arm automatically compensates for the tension of the four belts during the formation of the pre-chamber.

This provides various advantages:

• Versatility in the management of the type of product, also depending on the level of humidity
• Excellent preservation of the nutritional and protein qualities of the product
• Efficient moisture evaporation
• Significant reduction in the formation of mold and abnormal fermentation.

Thanks to the pre-chamber, which allows managing the diameter of the bale, it is possible to anticipate harvesting times to take advantage of a wider working window than the very short harvesting periods ideal for leafy hay.

In presence of a very dry product such as straw, it is possible to work with a hard core (without pre-chamber) with very high pressures, thus obtaining a bale of considerable weight, saving time and money (less transport and less net per quintal of product).

High pressure and constant density also ensure perfect anaerobic fermentation and consequently excellent quality of the silage.

The wide 220 cm pick-up with pivoting wheels makes it possible to operate even in presence of windrows that are not perfectly positioned. Harvesting is gentle on any type of forage, preserving leaves, the most protein-rich part of the legumes.

The machine can be equipped with a crop guide roller. In order to meet all working requirements, a new drop floor has been designed for rapid resolution of any blockages without getting off the tractor.

The Extreme 2 series is also characterised by great versatility. Four different power systems are available: HTI (alternative conveyor arm power), HTR (rotor), HTC (13 knives) and HTU (25 knives), with twine, net or plastic film binding system.

Limited power makes it possible to use the baler with medium-powered tractors and low weight with consequently less soil compaction, an important factor especially when working in first cut alfalfa.