Bale Baron vs Arcusin Bale Packer — Which is better?

A common question we get from customers is whether to purchase an Arcusin MultiPack or a Marcrest BALE BARON®.

Both small bale packaging systems are popular for their ease of use so the question is — which is best suitable for my application?

In this article, we compare the Arcusin and BALE BARON® range, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each and the applications they are best suited for.

While we choose to stock the BALE BARON®, we know it’s not the right machine for every job. We strongly believe in transparency, building trust and helping you make an informed decision. With that in mind, let’s discuss the differences between the Arcusin Multipack and the BALE BARON® range.

Arcusin Multipack Bale Packer

The Arcusin MultiPack range of bale bundlers, which are made in Spain, streamlines hay harvest, eliminating manual handling for small hay bales.

Pros of the Arcusin Bale Packer

• Can handle longer bales.
• Being a smaller machine, it is easier to manoeuvre around smaller fields.

Cons of the Arcusin Bale Packer

• Requires frequent maintenance and greasing on all moving parts.
• Uses chains rather than belts to pick up the bales.
• Largest pack size is only 14 bales.

Arcusin Multipack E14

The Arcusin E14 was the first bundler to work with any and all bale sizes, even the large 3-tie bales. With its large and flexible entry guide, you can adjust it for any sized bale between 80cm and 120cm.

Features:

• Up to 650 bales per hour.
• Compatible with a 80 HP tractor.
• Adjustable entry guide for various bale sizes.
• 14 bales per pack with 8, 10, and 12 optional.
• Adjustable compaction chamber.

BALE BARON® packaging system

Made in Canada, BALE BARON® is a small bale packaging system that eliminates the need for manual handling of small hay bales during harvest.

Pros of the BALE BARON®

• Features a ram on the drawbar that acts as steering for manoeuvring tight gateways.
• Low maintenance. Greaseless nitrided pins and composite bushings (Greasing the knotters only every 2,500 bundles).
• Smoother pickups and drop-offs keep bales tight and uniform.
• Uses a 4 string double knot Rasspe knotter for a tight, brick-like pack that can be handled multiple times with bale forks.
• Full ISOBUS connectivity or standard in-cab control unit.
• Makes tight packs from 9, 18 to 21 bales.
• Pack up to 1,000 bales per hour!
• Utilizes a customer preferred bale size of 20-25kg.
• Bale size and pack size maximises storage, handling and shipping, reducing cost and increasing productivity.

Cons of the BALE BARON®

• Prefers a consistent length bale size around 85-90cm long.
• May come at a higher upfront cost.
• Longer overall units affect the turning radius.
• Requires a good hydraulic oil flow. However a PTO hydraulic pump kit can be fitted to the Baron which means the baron can be operated with a smaller tractor.

Click to see the BALE BARON® specifications and features outlined below.

So which machine is better — Bale Baron or Arcusin?

Ultimately, the best bale packer for your operations depends on the scale of your operation and the type of terrain you will be working on.

For farms with very small paddocks, narrow gate ways, and small tractors, the Arcusin may be better suited for your operation. If that sounds like you, consider reaching out to Giltrap Agrizone.

On the other hand, the BALE BARON® is better suited for those wanting bigger production and scale. If your farm is stacking or transporting a large number of bales, the BALE BARON® will produce tidier and tighter bale packs, and streamline your operation with greater efficiency when stacking and carting packs. If this sounds like the right solution for your operation, see the range of BALE BARON® and key features outlined below.

If you are undecided which bale packer is right for your farm, ask our experts today. We’re here to find the right solution for you, whichever brand and model that may be.

Why we supply the BALE BARON®

At NC Equipment, we do a lot of research into the products and brands we stock to ensure you always get the best. While the Arcusin Multipack suits many farms, we chose to stock the BALE BARON®. To help you understand the reasons behind this decision, we dig into the details below.

ISOBUS connectivity

The BALE BARON® is ISOBUS compatible, allowing full visibility from inside the cab. Alternatively, if your tractor does not have an ISOBUS display, an optional display is available with standard in-cab control.

Low maintenance and reliability

All pivot points now feature greaseless nitride-treated pins and composite bushings. This improves reliability and minimises maintenance.

Large twine cabinets

With storage for 16 balls of twine, you can bundle over 5,000 bales before refilling the cabinets. This minimises downtime and streamlines your baling process.

Rasspe knotter

The Rasspe knotter features sealed components that keep dirt out and grease in, meaning you only need to replenish the grease once a year. When ties are missed, an audible alarm will alert you immediately.

Spring assist roller ramp

When tied, the bundle is gently released down the roller ramp and onto the ground. The ramp features a compression spring, designed to assist the operator when pinning up the ramp. You can also add a roller chute for stationary baling, as required.

Side hill performance

The BALE BARON® features a perforated turntable with strong traction, designed to grab the bales as they exit the baler. This provides excellent side hill performance.

Increased stability

To improve the stability of the Bale Baron, the wheel base has been widened. At the front, dual caster wheels also provide increased stability while hollow rubber block suspension on casters ensure smooth trailing.

Smart/Solve

Smart/Solve runs using a programmable logic controller (PLC) that monitors and warns the operator as needed. It also provides user-friendly messages for the operator.

Air and hydraulic brakes

Both air brakes and hydraulic brakes are available as an option with all 4250 and 5250 BALE BARON® models. A manual parking brake is also included.

In-field pickup or Trail behind models

BALE BARON® is available as an in-field pickup or trail-behind models, depending on your needs. The trail behind model is towed directly behind the baler, utilising an articulated chute to guide bales. The in-field pickup models picks up the bales directly off the ground.

Our range of bale packers

BALE BARON® Trailing Series

The BALE BARON® 4000 and BALE BARON® 5000 Series is the ultimate tow-behind small baling system. Eliminating the need for all manual handling, this series offers impressive efficiency and simplified processes, compatible with any 100+ hp tractor.

Features:

• A bale-boosting conveyor grabs and packs bales from the field.
• Three power options.
• An adjustable telescoping endgate kit (21-pack, 18-pack, and 9-pack).
• In-cab ISOBUS connectivity.
• Tightly packed bundles with a double knot system.
• Greaseless nitrided pins and composite bushings.

BALE BARON® Self-Propelled Series

The BALE BARON® 6240SP small bale packer is self-propelled, with enough power to keep up with three balers! This provides a powerful option for bale production without a tractor.

Features:

• In-field pickup speed of up to 20 Kph.
• 14.1-metre turning radius.
• Pickup directly out-front.
• Tier 3 John Deere 173 HP 6-cylinder turbocharged 6.8-litre diesel engine.
• In-cab displays and air conditioning.
• An ergonomic driver's seat and trainer seat.

See how the self-propelled 6240SP works here ›

For more information on our range of bale packers, see the range at the link below.