This common sense approach to design ensures that machine operation is kept simple and user friendly. Features like progressive greasing and oiling and the drop floor unblocking system, when combined with high specification components, ensures long life, reliability and a machine that is rugged enough to handle the toughest of crops and ground conditions.

The F550 features:

1. Split Drive Gear Box
The left hand side of the gearbox drives the rollers in the bale chamber while the pickup and chopper unit are driven from the right hand side of the machine. This system ensures direct short transfer paths and optimal power distribution.

2. Pick Up
The 2 metre galvanised pick up lifts even the shortest of crop. Accurate height control can be achieved through a spring balanced hydraulic lifting system. The pick up is fitted with lateral feed augers that smoothly guide the crop into the chopping unit. The machine comes standard with pneumatic guide wheels, which contact the ground on exactly the same line as the tines and guide the pick up perfectly over uneven ground.

3. Pick Up Bearings
The pick up cam bearings are double raced to stand up to the most testing of conditions.

4. Cam Side Inspection Port
The cam is fitted with a side inspection port that allows the operator to quickly check and change the cam bearings, if necessary.

5. Rotor Design
As crop enters the spiral rotor, pairs of rotating tines feed the crop through the chopping unit. The double tines on the rotor ensure high output, while the spiral layout reduces the load peaks as the machine works in heavy swarths. The rotor design encourages a uniform crop flow, which reduces the risk of blockages thus maximising output.

6. Chopper Unit
Knives in the chopping unit of the F550 can be engaged and disengaged from the tractor cab. When engaged, the knives extend into the spine of the rotor which ensures a consistent cut quality. Knives have hydraulic protection ensuring that if a foreign object enters the chopping unit, the knives can drop out of the way.

7. Knives
The knives in the chopping unit are made from hardened tool steel, which ensures long life and maximum productivity through reducing the downtime associated with knife sharpening. The knife curve provides a continuous power saving crop cut while the serrated edge guarantees a long service life.

8. Knife Protection
Should a foreign object enter the knife unit the knives have the ability to disengage and re-engage after the object has passed through. This system protects both the knives and their cutting edges.

9. Bale Chamber
At the heart of this machine is the 17 roller bale chamber. The ribbed roller design leads to optimum bale rotation even in the toughest of crop conditions. The rollers are formed from high-grade tubular steel
which gives maximum strength and ensures a long working life.