Farmer and contractor, Andrew Haynes says buying the SB1842S baler from Chandlers was the obvious choice, as he already runs a fleet of seven Massey Ferguson tractors. 

An Oxfordshire farmer and contractor who switched baler brands last year when he purchased his first Massey Ferguson conventional model, says he should have bought one many years earlier. 

An Oxfordshire farmer and contractor who switched baler brands last year when he purchased his first Massey Ferguson conventional model, says he should have bought one many years earlier.

Trading as K & A Haynes, Andrew Haynes farms at Murcott. The traditional mixed livestock and arable enterprise comprises land owned by the Haynes family plus areas rented or farmed under contract farming agreements.

Andrew’s father, Keith, set up a beef suckler herd in 1989 and now up to 130 Limousin x South Devon cows and followers graze from spring through to autumn at multiple locations including grass pastures and land within SSSI and other environmental schemes. During winter they are housed indoors. Arable crops include cereals, and beans grown as a break crop along with spring oats. All the straw is baled.

High quality hay and straw

A significant business has developed selling hay and straw. Andrew’s own cattle consume a large quantity during the winter, but 80% of the conventional hay and straw bales produced annually are for the equine industry. Large square and round bales are also made, some of which are for equine customers, but there is strong demand for the high-quality feed and bedding from Welsh farms too.

“We are prolific straw users,” admits Andrew. “I like my animals to look in peak condition, and an important part of that is ensuring bedding is always clean and fresh. “We remained loyal to one conventional baler brand for approximately 45 years, updating machines every fifth season. They performed reasonably well and were reliable, so we had no reason to consider other makes. My outgoing balers were usually bought my cousin, Colin Haynes, who farms nearby. As well as his own baling, he also makes 25,000 hay bales each year for us, and our two balers work side by side.”

Despite the baler’s impressive work capacity, the family’s Massey Ferguson 6270 tractor with just 120hp handles it easily.

Heavy-duty baler

When the baler manufacturer ceased production, Andrew looked at alternatives. The family already had a fleet of seven Massey Ferguson tractors and liked them, so it made sense to consider a baler of the same brand. His local dealer, Chandlers (MF) Ltd, had both the SB1840 and higher specification SB1842S conventional balers in stock, so he and Colin could compare them. “I’d heard great reports regarding Massey Ferguson balers and seeing both models side by side highlighted advantages of the 1842S for our heavier use, making approximately 35,000 hay, and 25,000 straw bales each year,” he explained. “It’s clearly designed for more intensive operation with a wider pick-up, twin feeding forks and built to last with heavy-duty drive chains. It was just what we needed so we confirmed our order, while my cousin bought the standard 1840 model at the same time.”

Increased productivity

Working together, the cousins’ previous pair of balers averaged 3,000 bales per day, whereas the new Massey Fergusons easily achieve 4,000. “We only tend to bale when conditions are optimal, then the bales are collected, brought back to the yard and stacked under cover the same day,” Andrew continued. “Usually, by mid-afternoon, Colin’s baler is put away, then he helps collecting and loading instead. In one day the 1842S made just over 5,200 straw bales though, which was impressive, and even when we push on to maximise work rates the bales are dead square and tidy, just as we and our customers like them. The 1.98m pick-up copes easily with large straw swaths from a 30ft combine in high yielding crops. We never have a problem.”

Oxfordshire-based farmer and contractor, Andrew Haynes bought his Massey Ferguson SB1842S heavy-duty baler last year. In its first season it made 35,000 hay, and 25,000 conventional small bales for use on the family farm or to be sold to equine customers and farmers elsewhere.

Easy maintenance

Both new balers are proving reliable. “We use big packs of string, and the 1842S holds five rolls each side, more than enough for a full day’s work. I don’t think we dropped a bale the whole season, apart from when an operator forgot to connect two rolls of string in the box. The knotter design is good, but electric fans also contribute to the reliability by keeping them clear of dust and chaff. We are meticulous regarding maintenance as we try to avoid downtime, and the well-designed inspection panels help. They open wide giving us great access to check everything and spot potential issues before they develop, and they fasten securely and don’t flap or rattle on the road.”

Backup from the Chandlers Wallingford depot team has lived up to Andrew’s high expectations. “I’ve been chuffed with Chandlers as the dealer has good fitters and whatever we need is in stock. AGCO provides great back-up too; we feel our business is valued and are well looked after.”

Time savings and extra convenience

The baler’s inline layout adds convenience and the 2.6m transport width ensures easy movement on public roads. “For working and transport, it’s always directly in line behind the tractor, and time isn’t wasted changing between road and transport configurations when we get to the fields. The straw moves in a constant direction and that seems to contribute to working efficiency too. When we bought the new baler, we expected to need a bigger tractor, but the 1842S works perfectly behind our Massey Ferguson 6270 with just 120hp,” he confirmed.

Pleased with decision

Andrew says the 1842S has a massive appetite. “We tend to stick with brands and products that work well, and I remain extremely pleased that we chose this heavy-duty, contractor’s baler. I really haven’t a bad word to say about it, or the back-up from our dealer. It’s quiet, and as smooth as a sewing machine which makes using it a real pleasure. I wish I had bought one years ago,” he concluded.