F5500
F5500 – 15 Knife Fixed Chamber Baler
Over the last decade the McHale range of balers have been operating in over 5 continents in some of the world’s most difficult conditions. McHale balers have developed a reputation for providing high output, excellent reliability, operator comfort and top resale value.
The F5000 range of balers brings baling to a new level with features like progressive greasing and oiling, our drop floor unblocking system which combined with our high specification components, ensures long life, reliability and a machine that is rugged enough to handle the toughest of crops and ground conditions.
The McHale F5500 is a semi-automatic, 15 knife chopper Fixed Chamber Baler, which comes fitted with automatic progressive greasing as standard. It is equipped with a Wizard Plus Control Box, which allows the operator to control features such as drop floor and knife position. Bale density can also be adjusted on the machine. The machine is fitted with 500/50-17 tyres as standard.
Built To Last
Pick-Up
Over the last decade, McHale has designed and developed various types of pick-ups. After extensive testing, McHale decided it will offer customers the choice of 2 pick-up options depending on their working conditions:
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Cam Pick-Up
As standard, a cam operated 2.1m high-intake galvanised pick-up ensures excellent ground cleaning in all types of crop. The cam pick-up runs on a cam track that is fitted with double raced cam bearings to stand up to the most testing of conditions.
All cam pick-ups across the McHale Fixed Chamber Baler Range are fitted with 5 tine bars for excellent ground cleaning and delivery of crop to the bale chamber. A side inspection port allows the operator to quickly check and change the cam bearings if needed.
All McHale cam pick-ups have heavy-duty tine bar supports to ensure long service life. McHale have also developed a pick-up tine designed to lift even the shortest of crop
Camless Pick-Up
A 2.1m camless pick-up is available as an option on all machines in the McHale Fixed Chamber Baler Range. Six tine bars are fitted to all McHale camless pick-ups to provide excellent ground cleaning and fast delivery of crop to the bale chamber.
The camless pick-up has been designed to increase output, reduce levels of maintenance and perform better in certain conditions.
All camless pick-ups are fitted with a fully welded tine bar. McHale have also developed a pick-up tine designed to lift even the shortest of crop
Heavy-Duty Pick-Up
Adaptive Intake
Split Drive GearBox
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Optimal Power Distribution
The rollers in the bale chamber are driven from the left-hand side of the machine and the pick-up and chopper unit are driven from the right-hand side of the machine. This system ensures direct, short transfer paths, leading to optimal power distribution.
1000rpm Gearbox (Optional)
In order to optimise machine performance, a 1000rpm gearbox is available as an optional upgrade on all machines in the McHale fixed chamber baler range. We recommend you speak with your local dealer or distributor regarding which gearbox is best suited to your requirements, based on your working conditions.
Rotor
The star shaped, twin finger feed rotor ensures a high-capacity flow of crop into the bale chamber.
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The flights on the rotor are laid out in a spiral formation to achieve consistent crop flow. As crop enters the rotor, rotating flights feeds it to the bale chamber. These ensure high output, while the star layout reduces the load peaks as the machines work in heavy swaths.
- The feed rotor or chopping unit boasts a heavy-duty rotor and comb.
- The flights are welded on both sides for superior strength and on the drive side the rotor is fitted with a double row bearing with a long service life.
F5500 Rotor Types
15 Knife Chopper Rotor (Standard)
| Rotor Formation | Spiral |
| Flight Thickness |
Inner: 8mm
Outer: 12mm |
| Number of Knives | 15 |
| Selectable Knives | Optional |
25 Knife Chopper Rotor (Optional)
| Rotor Formation | Spiral |
| Flight Thickness |
Inner: 6mm
Outer: 12mm |
| Number of Knives | 25 |
| Selectable Knives | Optional |
Chopper Unit
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Chopper Units
15 Knife Chopper Unit (Standard)
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The 15 knife chopper unit is the standard chopper unit on the McHale F5500. A bank of 15 knives provides a chop length of approximately 65mm. |
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Flight Thickness |
Inner: 8mm Outer: 12mm |
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Number of Knives |
15 |
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Selectable Knives |
Optional |
25 Knife Chopper Unit (Optional)
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The 25 knife chopper unit is available as an option on the McHale F5500. A bank of 25 knives provides a chop length of approximately 46mm. |
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Flight Thickness |
Inner: 6mm Outer: 12mm |
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Number of Knives |
25 |
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Selectable Knives |
Optional |
Selectable Knife System
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15 Knife Bank Options0, 7, 8, 15 Knifes |
25 Knife Bank Options0, 12, 13, 25 Knifes |
BENEFITS OF SELECTABLE KNIVES
ADJUSTABLE CHOP LENGTH
With selectable knives, the operator can vary the chop length by engaging or disengaging either knife bank. If fine chopping is required, the operator can choose to engage both knife banks. Should a longer chop length be required, the operator can disengage one bank of knives from the comfort and safety of the tractor cab.
REDUCED SHARPENING INTERVALS
When using both knife banks separately, if the first bank of knives become blunt, the operator can lower the first knife bank and raise the second bank. This reduces the downtime and allows the operator to continue working. By having consistently sharp knives, fuel consumption is reduced and the machine always delivers optimum chop.
OPERATOR COMFORT & SAFETY
A new sharp set of knives can be engaged, without the operator having to physically replace knives, ensuring a well chopped crop and continued high output. Should different chop lengths be required the operator can make the adjustments by engaging or disengaging the knife bank without having to leave the tractor cab.
Drop Floor Unblocking
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The McHale fixed chamber baler range is fitted with a drop floor unblocking system, which means blockages can be fed through in three simple steps.
1 – Drop the Floor
Should a blockage occur, the sound of the slip clutch alerts the operator, who can hydraulically lower the floor from the tractor cab. When operating the drop floor cycle, the knives and the drop floor drop together during the unblocking process, giving even more clearance to allow the blockage to be fed through.
2 – Re-engage the PTO
This widens the feed channel at both the front and rear of the drop floor where the blockage is more likely to occur. By lowering the front and rear of the drop floor, the blockage can be fed through and effectively cleared when the PTO is re-engaged.
3 – Reset the Floor
The floor can then be reset to its original position and baling can resume. On the F5500,F5600 and F5600 Plus the drop floor is equipped with a drop floor sensor to ensure the chop quality is consistent by indicating to the operator via the control box if the drop floor is open and the knives are down.
Bale Chamber
The bale chamber on the McHale F5500 is comprised of an 18 roller bale chamber. It has a diameter of 1.23m x 1.25m (4′ ½” x 4′ 1¼”) and is formed from heavy duty rollers.
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The 18 rollers are formed from high-grade tubular steel delivering maximum traction, improved bale rotation, enhanced machine performance and produces well-shaped, uniform bales. As a result, the F5000 range is noted for superior performance in dry crops such as hay and straw.
Heavy Duty Chains
High quality heavy-duty chains ensure reliable operation all around the machine. The main drive chain coming off the gearbox is a high tensile, heavy duty 100H endless chain for maximum strength. All other chains on the drive side of the bale chamber are inch and a quarter (20B). The rotor chain is inch duplex (16 B2) and all pick-up chains are three quarter inch (ASA 60H).
Chamber Bearings
Single sprocket rollers on the chamber drive side are equipped with 50 mm shafts and bearings. Rollers under the most load are fitted with double row bearings. All rollers fitted with double sprockets are equipped with 55 mm shafts and double row 55 mm bearings. The non drive side of the bale chamber is also fitted with heavy duty 50 mm bearings.
Bale Density Adjustment
On the F5400 and F5500 balers the chamber pre charge pressure can be easily adjusted on the density control valve on the machine platform. By adjusting the handle in a clockwise direction density can be increased, while rotating the handle in the opposite direction reduces density.
Roller Design & Sealing
Bale chamber rollers are fitted with 50 mm bearings on the drive and non-drive side. Rollers fitted with double sprockets are equipped with 55 mm shafts and double row bearings. All roller ends are fitted with high performance self-cleaning seals that have a unique reverse-thread sealing system that prevents crop from getting into the bearings. The seals prevent the grease around the bearings from becoming contaminated by crop resulting in increased reliability.
Oiling & Greasing
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Continuous Oiling System
The continuous oiling system on the machine is driven off the gearbox and delivers oil to the following chains:
- Chamber Drive Side Chains
- Rotor Drive Chain
- Pick-Up – Drive Chains
- Pick-Up – Cam Track
- Pick-Up – Drive Gears
Greasing
All machines come fitted with a number of manual greasing points which are easily accessible throughout the baler either individually or through a centralised greasing block. The following bearings highlighted below are greased:
- Bale Chamber – Drive Side
- Bale Chamber – Non-Drive Side
- Rotor Bearings – Drive Side
- Rotor Bearings – Non-Drive Side.
Automatic Greasing
With the exception of the McHale F5400, all machines in the McHale Fixed Chamber Baler Range are fitted with automatic greasing as standard. A pressurised system delivers a measured amount of grease every time a bale is ejected from the bale chamber. Automatic greasing saves time as it reduces the amount of manual greasing to be done by the operator. A lube alarm sounds after 300 bales to inform the operator to refill the grease cartridge.
Vario Stretch Net System
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This simple, yet effective net binding system applies net to the barrel of the bale ensuring efficient net usage and that a tight layer of net is evenly applied to the bale. The net tension can be adjusted on the machine depending on the operator’s requirements. The number of layers of net being used can be easily adjusted as the machine passes through different crop conditions. On the F5400 and F5500 , by simply moving the net adjustment handle down, more net will be applied, while by moving the handle up, less net can be applied. On the F5600 and F5600 Plus, net adjustment can be controlled from the control box in the tractor cab.
The high performance netter is extremely reliable and features:
Endless Adjustment
Endless adjustment of tension to ensure optimum bind material usage and bale shape
Up to 1300 mm
Capacity to take rolls of net wrap up to 1300 mm in width and 4500m in length.
180-Degree Wrap
180-degree wrap around on the rubber feed roller, eliminating any net or film slippage while feeding
Net Loading & Storage
Wizard Plus Control Console
Technical Specification
Dimensions & Weight
| Width | 2.55 (8’4″)* |
| Length | 4.05 m (13’3″) |
| Weight | 3500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Height | 2.45 m (8′) |
| *Width will depend on tyre selection | |
Pick-Up
| Working Width | 2100 mm (6’11”) |
| Pick Up Guide Wheels | Standard |
| Pick Up Lift | Hydraulic |
| Crop Roller | Optional |
| Short Crop Guard | Standard |
| Tine Spacing | 70 mm (2 3/4”) |
| Tine Bars |
5 |
Bale Chamber
| Width | 1.23 m (4′) |
| Diameter | 1.25 m (4’1”) |
| Greasing | Automatic Progressive |
| Bearings | 50 mm** |
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Number of Rollers |
18 |
| Bale Chamber Feed | Baler Rotor |
| **Bearings are 55mm double raced on the main load points |
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Net Wrap
| Net Adjustment | Manual on Baler |
| Net System | Vario Stretch |
| Net Roll Capacity |
1 + 1 Storage |
| Control | Manual or Automatic |
Drives
| Gearbox | Split Drive |
| Main Drive Protection | Cam Clutch |
| Pick Up Protection | Slip Clutch |
| Chain Lubrication | Continuous |
Control
| Control System | Wizard Plus Control Console |
| Operation | Semi Automatic |
| Density Adjustment | On Baler Valve |
Other
| Axle | 8 Stud |
| Tyres Standard | 500/50 – 17 |
| Tyres Optional | 500/50 – 22.5 |
| Bale Kicker Indicator | N/A |
| Road Lights | Standard |
Tractor
| Minimum Power Requirement | 67kW (90hp) |
| Hydraulics | 2 Double Acting Spools |