When New Holland introduced the first successful automatic hay baler in 1937, farmers recognised the advance that had been made.
Ed Nolt was the inventor of the first successful automatic baler, which revolutionised hay and straw harvesting.
The first production units of the New Holland Model 73 baler started coming off the assembly line in 1940.
The first New Holland Model 75 baler arrived in Australia under a war-time government lending lease in 1945.
However, the foundations on which New Holland Australia was built commenced the following year — in 1946 Doring Implements imported and retailed six Model 76 balers.
By the end of 1949, more than 60 Model 76 balers had been sold around the nation.
In the early 1950s New Holland released the high performing Model 77, and about 175 balers were sold over three years.
In the mid 1950s New Holland started Australian manufactured products, including small square balers, with Australian production peaking in 1967 with 1275 Model S69 and Model 281 balers produced with a market share of 60 per cent.
Konigs Shepparton owner Leo Schoonderbeek can attest to the popularity and longevity of the New Holland balers, having four of them in his yard at the moment.
He likened the 317 model to the famed Holden HQ.
“Everyone knows what the HQ looks like, whether you're a Holden man or a Ford man. It's just like that with this model.
“They're still going around after 30 or more years.”
Konigs manager Paul Barlow said the small squares were still popular with horse owners who want a manageable-sized bale, and hence there were still plenty of reasons to keep them going.
This year New Holland is releasing a new model 5070 Hayliner into the Australian market.
The limited edition model year 2021 small square balers will be marked with special anniversary decals.
New Holland fodder conservation product segment manager Sune Nielsen said the unique design principle had not changed too much over the decades — the side delivery pick-up offers many advantages, visibility over the pick-up and feed rate is most important to maintain a consistent flow of material into the bale chamber.
“Large, high windrows are no problem for the baler as the tractor travels alongside the windrow so there’s no chance of product getting caught under the tractor,” Mr Nielsen said.
“Side delivery also means the crop is cut neatly either side of the bale by the plunger knifes, and the bale itself is a good shape.”
The Hayliner has an additional 300 mm length bale chamber, thicker chamber walls and four way hydro-formatic bale density system, all ensuring consistent bale weight and bale length which is a crucial part of baling.
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