Alltech KEENAN MechFiber345, Operator'S Manual

Page: 26 / 82

5.9 Specific Instructions For Baleblend Models
1. The creel should be raised before loading bales.
2. The bale (round bales) should always be loaded
in the centre of the machine so that it gets the
maximum agitation from the 6 paddles.
3. The bale should be gently lowered in the centre of
the machine onto the tines. The BaleBlend will then
begin its cutting action, with the tines working in
conjunction with the top knife, body blades and six
paddles to evenly chop the bale material in a timely
manner. The bale should be chopped evenly
throughout this process which will avoid large lumps
of the bale entering the mixer at any time. This will result in a better mix
quality and more even chopping action.
4. After the bale has been fully chopped and entered into the machine the
next bale can be added to the mix in the same manner as above.
5. The standard chopping times for different materials of round 4’ x 4’
(120 cm) bales are as follows:
Note:
Heavy bales must be loaded gently on to the BaleBlend, not dropped
from a height, or damage may occur.
6. These times are achievable if the bale is loaded in the correct position
and the loading method, as described above, is followed. These times
may vary slightly depending on the tightness of the bale and the
behaviour of the bale when it is being chopped.
7. When loading large square bales the method
is to load the bale so that the sections lie
across the tines so as to prevent the sections
falling through the gap in the tines (see
diagram to the right: sections of large square
bale loaded perpendicular to the tines). The
easiest way to do this is to load the bale in
two halves on the loader (one half in each side
of the bucket, if wide enough) and flick
the sections out onto the tines. In this
way the sections will remain up on the tines
and rings for longer and get a better chop
against the top knife. If loaded the opposite
way the sections will tend to fall through the
tines, not get chopped and cause additional
stress on the chopping mechanism.
8. The key to the successful operation of the
BaleBlend is that the bale remains on top
of the tines long enough to allow the pre-
chopping to take place against the serrated
top knife. This ensures that the amount of
further chopping within the mixing chamber
is reduced, and though it may take longer
for the bale to be taken in, during this
time the material that has already been cut
from the bale is being processed within the
chamber.
IN
CORRECT
Bale: Time:
Straw 6-8 minutes (140 kg)
Hay 4-6 minutes (300 kg)
Wet silage (up to 20% DM) 2-4 minutes (700 kg)
Dry silage (20-30% DM) 4-5 minutes (500 kg)
Very dry silage (over 35%) 4-6 minutes (400 kg)
CORRECT
Table 8
26
Revision A04 July 2018