VB3165 Variable Chamber Round Balers

Optimal crop pick up

The VB 3165 feature a heavy crop roller with wind guard (diameter: 217 mm). The pick-up is designed to maximize the full capacity of the machine. With a working width of 210 or 230 cm, the machine is capable of working in all windrows and will not let you down, even in the toughest conditions. Straight pick-up tines help release the crop and reduce crop wrapping. The pick-up roller compresses the crop against the pick-up tines, reducing friction, thus limiting leaf loss and increasing baler efficiency by evening out the windrow.

The 230 cm rotor model pick-up features a standard pendulum frame and optional pivoting pick-up wheels to allow the pick-up to adapt to changing field conditions. Camless-shaped crop guides, on 230 cm pick-ups, result in more aggressive and efficient pick-up by exposing more of the tine when needed and by pulling the crop away from the tines as it approaches the intake. A cam track pulls the tines straight down in the rearward position to avoid wrapping, making this the only hybrid pick-up on the market today.

To better meet your operation’s specific needs, there are four intake options available. Choose the DIRECT FEED intake system or select one of our three INTEGRAL ROTORS – the non-cutting OPTIFEED rotor or the 14- and 23-knife OPTICUT cutting rotors.

DIRECT FEED System

When cutting the crop is not required, the DIRECT FEED system ensures a controlled and consistent crop flow to the bale chamber. It is an unrestricted intake unit for maximum capacity in dry crop conditions. In heavier conditions, like big wide straw or hay swaths, the top roller performs like a pre-compactor which is powered by the primary driveline of the baler. There are no fingers or rotor tines, which can disturb the flow and therefore limit the intake capacity. This generates a huge input potential and prevents blockages. The result: a high output and minimum downtime.

INTEGRAL ROTOR Technology

Available across the entire VB range, our INTEGRAL ROTOR technology can be found on OPTIFEED and OPTICUT models. This simple, maintenance-free, intake system guarantees an enormous throughput capacity at all times. The short distance between rotor and pick-up tines maintains consistent crop flow. The design of this force-fed intake makes higher forward speeds possible for increased productivity and reduced crop damage.

The INTEGRAL ROTOR has rotor tines made out of Hardox® wear plates (except VB 3155-3185). Hardox® combines extreme hardness and toughness to reduce rotor tine wear.

Non-cutting: OPTIFEED Rotor

The OPTIFEED rotor design, with single feeding tines and integrated augers, helps even out the swath by spreading the crop evenly for consistent bales every time.

Cutting: OPTICUT Rotors

KUHN OPTICUT (OC) cutting rotors are designed for unlimited intake capacity and excellent cutting quality. OC cutting rotors, with elliptical-shaped rotor tines, are acknowledged by users as one of the best cutting systems on the market. The silage is guided and drawn down to the knives from an early stage which improves flow and cutting performance while requiring minimal force – this also prevents unwanted blockages.

OPTICUT 14
The INTEGRAL ROTOR, with the 14-knife OPTICUT system, is designed to even out the swath and force-feed the crop into the baler for maximum throughput. The 14-knife OPTICUT cutting system provides a theoretical cutting length of 70 mm. Each single knife is spring-protected against damage from foreign objects. With GROUP SELECTION (VB 3165 & 3195 Premium models), the operator can choose to have 0, 4, 7, 7, or 14 knives in operation.

OPTICUT 23
The INTEGRAL ROTOR, with the 23-knife OPTICUT system, has the benefits of intensive cutting and mechanical protection. The 23-knife OPTICUT system provides a theoretical cutting length of 70mm. Each single knife is spring-protected against damage from foreign objects. With GROUP SELECTION (VB 3165 & 3195 Premium models), the operator can choose to have 0, 7, 11, 12, or 23 knives in operation.
GROUP SELECTION also results in easy knife changing and improved driver comfort.

Progressive density – The KUHN Solution

The PROGRESSIVE DENSITY system has proven its value on all KUHN VB balers. The system increases tension as the bale grows providing a firm bale with a tough outer shell.

How does it work?
As the bale grows within the bale chamber, the belt tensioning arm is subjected to steadily increasing resistance from two hydraulic cylinders and a spring tensioner. So as the diameter increases, the bale’s density does too. The result is a very firm bale with a moderate core – not too soft, not too hard. With a tougher outer layer, straw bales will be more tolerant to bad weather conditions, while silage bales will maintain their shape for improved stacking and easier handling.

Fast, perfect bale formation

The 5 belt, 3 roller design of the VB 3100 Series bale chamber ensures fast, consistent bale formation whatever the intake system. The aggressive profile of the top chamber roller improves crop contact and reduces crop loss. The front segment of the baler is fitted with a large smooth roller and driven cleaning roller that prevents from crop build up at the front of the machine. The unique mix of the KUHN PROGRESSIVE DENSITY system and smart bale chamber design guarantees perfect bale formation every time.

Firm bale shape

One of the final steps in creating the perfect bale is the binding. Binding a bale to protect it from the elements and from losing its shape is one of the most crucial steps. The less time required to bind the bale, the higher the baling operation output. KUHN binding solutions guarantee the most reliable and secure binding available on the market.

Excellent net spreading

The net binder with active stretch technology ensures a firm bale shape with constant net tension throughout the entire binding cycle. The net is fed into the front of the bale chamber to ensure it is taken by the bale immediately. A second net roll storage enables the operator to carry a sufficient net supply for a longer working day. Changing of the net roll can be done easily whilst standing safely on the ground.

KUHN’s innovative design maintains constant net tension during the wrap process. The net wrap system runs at 90% of the bale’s rotational speed to be able to stretch the net without breaking it. The pre-stretched net results in a bale that will hold its density.The net binding system spreads the net to the corners of the bale to prevent air pockets once the bale is wrapped, which will preserve the forage quality for longer.

Twine binding

When using the double twine arm system, the binding cycle time is reduced to a minimum. In the twine binding cycle, both of the twines start at the bale edge and overlap before moving to the centre of the bale. In the centre of the bale, they overlap again. This ensures the twines are fixed and that there are no loose ends.

When required, VB 3100 Series balers can be equipped with a combination of twine and net binding.