For Thomas Maloney, an agricultural contractor based in South Tipperary, Ireland, finding the right equipment is crucial to maintaining his business’s efficiency and success. With over 60 years of experience in the field, Thomas and his father Jim have worked with numerous machines. However, it was their experience with the Kverneland FastBale Premium Baler that truly made a difference in their day-to-day operations.
With a rich history and solid reputation for reliability, robust dealer support, and an excellent product team, Kverneland stands out in the market. "Kverneland, they're a well-renowned product. We've seen a lot of machines on the market for numerous years, and they've got good dealer backup and product support team," says Thomas.
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The Kverneland FastBale Premium Baler first caught the Moloneys' attention during a demonstration in 2017. Its performance was impressive enough to keep them interested until a subsequent demonstration in 2021, which highlighted significant improvements. The upgrades confirmed their decision to invest in the machine. "We were very impressed with the workings of the Kverneland Baler...and we're very happy with the machine's performance," Thomas recalls about their decision-making process. A second demonstration in 2021 showcased further improvements, convincing Thomas and Jim that this was the right investment for their business. “Kverneland has a good dealer backup and product support team. We know the history of Kverneland through the years, and we’ve seen a lot of machines on the market. We were very attracted to the product, and when we saw how much the Kverneland FastBale Premium had improved, we knew it was time to buy one.”
One of the most praised features of the Kverneland FastBale Premium Baler is its non-stop baling system. This allows continuous operation without the need to stop and start, a godsend for productivity and efficiency. Thomas highlights, "The non-stop feature has to be the most beneficial part of the baler; it delivers a huge output throughout the day when you don't have to physically stop." This not only saves significant time, but also reduces fuel consumption and wear on the tractor. “Having used other manufacturers' machines over the last number of years, we like the performance of the Kverneland FastBale Premium. It's a big saving on fuel consumption and reduces a lot of wear and tear on the tractor since you're not breaking throughout the day. If you're doing maybe 400 bales a day, that's 400 times you don't have to brake with your tractor.” Thomas stated.
The Moloneys were also impressed by the density and quality of the bales produced by the Kverneland FastBale Premium. "It makes quite dense big bales. And the chop quality of the silage is very good also," Thomas points out. Furthermore, the compact design of the Kverneland FastBale Premium is particularly advantageous, making it easy to manoeuvre and transport, an essential factor for operations spread across diverse terrains.
Ease of maintenance is another critical factor that has impressed the Moloneys. The Kverneland FastBale Premium features a design that allows easy access to the knife bank for quick and efficient maintenance. "The way you can pull out the knife bank to the side, it's quite easy to get at the knife when you need to sharpen them,”
The Kverneland FastBale Premium isn't just about non-stop baling; it's about integrating multiple steps into a seamless operation. As described by John Doyle, Kverneland Group Ireland Product Manager, "Kverneland FastBale Premium represents two world firsts: it is currently the World’s only non-stop fixed chamber baler and secondly, it is the World’s only non-stop fixed chamber baler wrapper combination." John anticipates that the Kverneland FastBale Premium will be a game-changer, especially with shorter windows for contractors. "As we face increasingly narrow timeframes for crucial farming tasks, such as baling, the Kverneland FastBale Premium's non-stop operation and efficiency will prove invaluable," Doyle predicts. "I believe this summer will showcase the Kverneland FastBale Premium's ability to maximize productivity during these critical periods, ultimately revolutionizing the way farmers and contractors approach their work." The machine uses a clever layout with two bale chambers that allow continuous operation, from baling to wrapping, without interruption. This design not only speeds up the baling process but also ensures the high quality of each bale.
Reflecting on the unmatched performance of the Kverneland FastBale Premium compared to other balers, Thomas emphasized the unique qualities that set it apart in the field. "In terms of comparing the baler to other manufacturers, we've found it incredibly reliable throughout the two seasons that we've had it. We're very impressed with the productivity of the machine, but honestly, there is no real comparison. There is no other baler on the market with this level of compactness and with a non-stop feature. Over the last years, we've literally had no problems with the machine, and we're very impressed with the build quality."
From an environmental perspective, Kverneland FastBale Premium's film on film option provides improved silage quality and simpler recycling of plastic waste. Operational benefits are equally impressive, with reduced time spent on bale wrapping and a gentle bale discharge system that minimizes the risk of bales rolling away on sloping lands. Reflecting on the overall impact of the Kverneland FastBale Premium on their operations, Thomas concludes, "the FastBale Premium had a positive impact on our business. It just increased productivity a huge deal, and even from an operator's point of view, it's a nice baler to operate. It's very simple; there's no stopping and starting during the day."
For other farmers and contractors considering their options, Thomas doesn’t hesitate to recommend the Kverneland FastBale Premium. "We definitely recommend the Kverneland FastBale Premium to any other farmers and contractors; we've been working there for two seasons with literally no problems, and we're very impressed by the build quality and performance of the machine."
As Irish agriculture continues to evolve, tools like the Kverneland FastBale Premium are proving indispensable for farmers looking to increase efficiency and productivity. The Moloneys' experience is a testament to how adopting innovative technologies can lead to significant improvements in both operations and outcomes.
