Forage quality is key.
"The packer tine technology ensures that the important proteins are preserved."
Julien Alain manages an equestrian centre in St Victoret near Marseille, France, home to around 100 horses. During the harvesting period, he recruits the services of contractor Olivier Bornand, from Tarascon. Olivier Bornand uses the new QUADRANT 4000 to bale hay for the horse business. The major selling point here is the forage protection that the packer tine technology of the QUADRANT 4000 affords. "As a source of protein, alfalfa plays a very important role in rearing racehorses", Julien Alain says. Olivier Bornand: "When it comes to alfalfa, it's crucial that the leafy material remains attached at the stem. The advantage of the QUADRANT 4000 is that the full extent of the forage stalk is drawn into the machine, preventing the leafy mass from tearing. The harvested crop is fed by a feed rake. This is especially important when it comes to animal forage, to ensure that the protein content is preserved."
"Everyone finds the dimensions very practical."
Julien Alain again: "The 80/50-cm bales offer huge advantages, since bales of this size can be moved using small tractors, or even manually." When it comes to equestrian centres, the smaller bale size is an important consideration in the way the business operates. The individual bale slices, too, have a practical shape, particularly in the initial cut. "The slices are ideally suited to our regular customers, since they cover the horses' daily nutritional requirements", Olivier Bornand says.
"Very easy to operate, and extremely precise."
Julien Alain has come to appreciate the CLAAS OPERATOR on the new QUADRANT 4000. He hadn't used the system before, but was able to familiarise himself with it in no time at all: "Using the CLAAS OPERATOR, I'm able to set the bale length and desired baling pressure in bar, and I have complete control over the machine." For Olivier Bornand, as a contractor, the increased straw density creates new market potential. With potential bale weights of up to 240 kg, transport costs can be slashed, an economic consideration that shouldn't be underestimated.
Julien Alain and Olivier Bornand both agree – the new QUADRANT 4000 is very user-friendly and works extremely fast. And the forage quality is great – all in all, an excellent investment.
