| Model | Bale size | Available pickups |
| 451E | 1.2 x 1.5 m (4 x 5 ft) |
Regular |
| 451M | 1.2 x 1.5 m (4 x 5 ft) |
MegaWide™ Plus hydraulic pickup optional |
| 451R | 1.2 x 1.5 m (4 x 5 ft) |
High-Capacity, High Capacity with Precutter |
| 461M | 1.2 x 1.8 m (4 x 6 ft) |
MegaWide Plus hydraulic pickup in base |
| 461R | 1.2 x 1.8 m (4 x 6 ft) |
High-Capacity, High Capacity with Precutter |
| 551M | 1.5 x 1.5 m (5 x 5 ft) |
MegaWide Plus hydraulic pickup optional |
| 561M | 1.5 x 1.8 m (5 x 6 ft) |
MegaWide Plus hydraulic pickup in base |
| 561R | 1.5 x 1.8 m (5 x 6 ft) |
High-Capacity, High Capacity with Precutter |
| Baler option | Applicable models |
E = Economy
|
451E |
M = Standard
|
451M, 461M, 551M*, and 561M |
R = Premium
|
451R, 461R, and 561R |
451M MegaWide pickup
A MegaWide pickup is base equipment on 451M, 461M, 551M, and 561M Round Balers.
Hydraulic pickup is in base configuration on 451R, 461M, 461R, 561M, 561R.
Hydraulic pickup is an option on 451E (dealer installed), 451M (factory installed), 551M (factory installed)
MegaWide pickups make baling easier, especially in wide or windblown windrows, and increases productivity; more hay volume means more bales per hour.
MegaTough pickup teeth
Mega and MegaTough pickup teeth are base equipment:
Toothbars on 1.5-m (5-ft) baler
The 1.2-m (4-ft) balers use a full-length, reinforced toothbar design.
The 1.5-m (5-ft) balers use a heavy, C-channel construction. The pickup toothbars are divided into two half-sections that mount to a center spider for increased strength and even crop feeding.
Roller baffle
Available only on the MegaWide Plus pickup, the patented roller baffle is self-adjusting and produces smoother crop flow across the pickup. The roller also improves crop pickup in small windrows and prevents roll ahead of crop.
When combined with the MegaWide Plus pickup, this feeding system allows increased ground speed with less chance of plugging for increased productivity in all field conditions.
Spiral rotor
Auger and rotor feed system
The MegaWide Plus pickup uses a rotor-feeding assembly, which mounts behind the pickup for smooth and even crop flow into the bale chamber.
Rotor stripper
Rotor strippers allow crop to be lifted from the rotor teeth into the chamber without cutting or wrapping the crop.
Cut-out clutch protection and feeder-drive chain
The MegaWide Plus pickups and spiral rotor are chain-driven for positive bale starts with cutout clutch protection. The pickup is being driven off the drive roll and bypasses the starter roll. This will allow for reduced wear and breakage of the starter roll chain.
Semi-pneumatic gauge wheel
Semi-pneumatic gauge wheels provide smooth ground gauging over uneven terrain and protection to the pickup.
The pickup float springs are positioned for excellent flotation.
Adjustable crank handle
The adjusting crank positions the pickup to the desired operating height to match crop or field conditions.
An optional hydraulic pickup lift cylinder is available as an attachment.
Heavy Duty Package
The heavy duty package is standard equipment on R series balers and option on M series balers. The components and features of the heavy duty package are below.
Staggered roller-auger kit
A silage-configuration baler allows the producer to put up silage hay. A silage configuration machine does not offer a precutter. There are three major components to a silage configuration baler: a staggered roller-auger kit (1), a starter roll-scraper knife, and a screen (2). The powered auger sits above the staggered roll on the baler to help keep wet hay from traveling up the belts and reduce buildup on the roll. The screen is bolted on the front of the baler as a safety feature. The knife/scraper is mounted in front of the starter roll to help prevent wrapping of wet crop on the starter roll.
The silage kit is offered as a bundle for field installation if the baler is not ordered as a silage-configuration machine from the factory. Attachment BE32442 is for 1.22-m (4-ft) wide machines and BE32443 is for1.52-m (5-ft) wide machines.
Also offered is a high-moisture kit. This kit does not include the same components that are on the silage-configuration balers. It offers the starter roll-scraper knife but does not include the staggered roll-auger kit. Attachment BE23828 is for 1.22-m (4-ft) machines and BE23829 is for 1.52-m (5-ft) machines.
Starter roll knife and screen
Base equipment on: 451M Silage, 551M Silage, 461M Silage, 561M Silage, 451R Precutter, 461M, 461R Precutter, 561M and 561R Precutter
Auxiliary take-up rolls
Auxiliary take-up rolls prevent belt crossover and flipping in wet conditions. This roll is base equipment on all silage and precutter configuration balers.
Bale scale and moisture sensor
Bale scale and moisture sensor
Bale scale and moisture sensor
Integrated-sensor measurements for weight and moisture provide bale characteristics (moisture/weight). This technology enables producers to document bale moisture and weight and take data into Operations Center for post-harvest analysis. This allows better management decisions around water and nutrients, plus document that information to get higher prices for their bales, as well as possibly reduce their input costs.
Net lift assist
Net lift assist
Net lighting
Connecting linkage is attached to the net-wrap handles and the net-wrap is moved with the lift mechanism via remote tether. Net-hood lighting illuminate’s net-wrap components.
Integrated preservative system
Integrated preservative system
Integrated Preservative System allows producers to bale sooner and with less worry about bales molding. Comparable hardware to John Deere’s Exact Apply system Tank, pump, sensors, controller (hardware/software), and a distribution system.
G5e External Speaker Device
G5e External Speaker Device
The G5e External Speaker is an optional attachment for G5e displays only.
The external speaker device provides increased volume levels for all G5e display notifications. It will omit a sound separate from the G5e display to assist baling operations in situations with high in-cab noise or for operators with hearing impairments. It is installed externally on the harness and can have volume levels changed by manually turning the front dial left or right. Adding the external speaker increases G5e notification volume by 16 percent. The external speaker is optional and is available as an attachment.
Side view of adjustable hitch
Front view of adjustable hitch
The 1 Series Round Balers came standard with an adjustable hitch and this feature will continue to be in base with the 1 Series Round Balers. This feature allows the hitch height to be adjusted to optimize crop-feeding performance. Due to the wide array of tractor tire sizes and drawbar heights, hitch adjustment may be necessary to get the proper feed opening of the baler. The adjustable hitch eliminates the need for the 51-mm (2-in.) thick tractor drawbar kit (AE57344) because it has a wider opening.
Benefits of the adjustable hitch:
All eight bolts must be used when adjusting the hitch. There are four different positions as shown below:
Position 1 (top) (factory setting) - regular pickups
Position 2
Position 3 (factory setting) - MegaWide
Position 4 (bottom)
Also standard on all 1 Series Round Balers, except the 451E, is the drawbar shield. This helps to eliminate hay from getting caught on the hitch of the baler. The drawbar shield is designed to allow the operator to remove or attach the flap without having to unhook the baler from the tractor.
Drawbar shield
Drawbar shield installed on baler
Bale-starting diagram
As the hay enters the forming chamber from the pickup, belts immediately turn the hay to form a tight, dense core.
Incoming hay then feeds between the bale and the lower gate roll. Hay is tightly compressed into smooth, dense layers as it enters the bale.
Chaffing is greatly reduced to prevent loss and retain hay quality in the bale.
Full-sized bale in bale chamber
The idler arm rises with bale growth, forcing oil from the hydraulic cylinder through a pressure-relief valve to maintain uniform bale density throughout the bale-forming process.
Staggered belts
John Deere's 178-mm (7-in.) wide diamond-tread design ensures fast bale starts and grips the bale to prevent slippage and reduce chaffing. The treads are self-cleaning to reduce carryover. The belts are staggered to reduce the loss of fine material and are closely spaced to contain the hay for fast, easy starts.
The belts enclose 91 percent of the bale width to reduce loss of fine material and retain hay quality.
The staggered belt roll design enables any loose hay under or behind the belts to be returned to the pickup and into the baler. This design helps to prevent buildup at the front of the baler, which could cause hay loss and belt or splice damage.
DiamondTough triple-weave belts
Every baler in the 1 Series Family uses DiamondTough belts. Belts are constructed using a patented triple-weave process of nylon and polyester materials.
They have the strength to handle heavy shock loads and help maintain consistent belt length.
The DiamondTough belts are more puncture and tear resistant than other belts on the market and provide improved belt life and reliability.
Plate-type splices
All of the 1 Series Balers use the plate-type fasteners.
This closed-loop design uses a plate fastener with pre-assembled rivets that lock the fasteners into the belt, providing a powerful vice-type grip on the belt.
Key Specs | 561M Current Model |
| Belts-other - width | 17.8 cm 7 in. |
| Density control | Hydraulic |
| Bale size indication | Electronic display on monitor |
| Regular pickup - Bars | Four |
| Regular pickup - Number of teeth | 96 |
| Regular pickup - Tooth spacing | 6 cm 2.6 in. |
| MegaWide Plus pickup - Number of regular teeth | 120 |
| MegaWide Plus pickup - Number of mega teeth | Eight |
| High-capacity pickup - Number of middle teeth | 120 |
| High-capacity pickup - Number of mega teeth | Eight |
Bale | |
| Size | Diameter 81 - 183 cm 32 - 72 in. Width 157 cm 62 in. 1.5 x 1.8 m 5 x 6 ft |
| Weight | Full-size bale in dry crop 998 kg 2,200 lb Max. allowable for silage bale 1,089 kg 2,500 lb Shipping dry - 3,257 kg 7,182 lb Shipping silage - 3,389 kg 7,472 lb |
Baler | |
| Base weight | |
| Weight | Shipping dry - 3,257 kg 7,182 lb Shipping silage - 3,389 kg 7,472 lb Shipping precutter - 4,239 kg 9,346 lb |
| Length | Gate closed 371 cm 146 in. Gate open 475 cm 187 in. |
| Height | Gate closed 279 cm 110 in. Gate open 368 cm 145 in. |
| Width | With standard tires 226 cm 89 in. With opt. tires (Hi-Flotation) 285 cm 112 in. |
Bale forming | |
| Forming chamber | |
| Belts-other | Number Eight Width 17.8 cm 7 in. Texture Diamond Tread friction surface belts DiamondTough, triple-weave, single-ply belts |
| Enclosed percent of bale surface | |
| Belt splices | |
| Density control | Hydraulic |
| Bale size indication | Electronic display on monitor |
| Bale Shape | |
Regular pickup | |
| Type | |
| Width | Inside 156 cm 62 in. Flare 180 cm 71 in. |
| Drive | |
| Bars | Four |
| Number of teeth | 96 |
| Tooth spacing | 6 cm 2.6 in. |
| Lift control | Adjustable height control |
| Gauge wheels | Semi-pneumatic |
| Stripper diameter | 25.4 cm 10 in. |
| Knives | |
MegaWide Plus pickup | |
| Type | |
| Width | Inside 196 cm 77 in. Flare 221 cm 87 in. |
| Drive | |
| Bars | |
| Number of regular teeth | 120 |
| Number of mega teeth | Eight |
| Tooth spacing | |
| Lift control | |
| Gauge wheels | Semi-pneumatic |
| Stripper diameter | |
| Knives | |
High-capacity pickup | |
| Type | MegaWide High Capacity and Cutting (HC |
| Width | Inside 196 cm 77 in. Flare 221 cm 87 in. |
| Drive | |
| Bars | |
| Number of middle teeth | 120 |
| Number of mega teeth | Eight |
| Tooth spacing | |
| Lift control | |
| Gauge wheels | Semi-pneumatic |
| Stripper diameter | 25.4 cm 10 in. |
Wrapping system | |
| Control | Automatic to preset to bale size |
| Type | Standard Electric |
| Twine arms | Two |
| Twine ball capacity | Eight |
| Bale chamber | |
| Wrapper | |
Monitor | |
| Monitor console for tractor | |
| Gate closed | Symbol on monitor |
| Bale forming | G5e |
| Bale size | Mechanical and digital |
| Near full bale | Audible, adjustable alert |
| Full bale | Audible, adjustable alert |
| Twine arm position Indicator | Mechanical |
| Auto wrap | Activates when bale reaches preset size |
| Oversize bale | Yes, audible and mechanical alerts |
Surface wrap | |
Tire size | |
| Standard | Dry and Precutter - High-flotation 14 L - 16.1, 8 PR Silage - XL high-flotation 21.5L-16.1, 8 PR |
| Optional | With MegaWide Plus |
Driveline | |
| Drive protection | Slip clutch |
| PTO speed | 540 or 1,000 rpm |
| Type | Constant-velocity (CV) |
| PTO lockback collar on tractor hookup | Yes |
| PTO 60-degree free rotation | Yes |
Tractor Requirements | |
| Minimum PTO | Dry Hay and Silage - 42 kW 55 hp HC 93 kW 125 hp |
| Hydraulic SCV valves | One tractor selective control valve (SCV) is required when baler is equipped with electric twine wrap. Two tractor SCVs are required when baler is equipped with hydraulic twine wrap. Three tractor SCVs are required when baler is equipped with hydraulic twine wrap and a hydraulic pickup lift. |
Silage baler features | |
| Starter roll scraper | |
| Powered scraping auger | |
| Spirals on gate roll | |
| Pre-cutter/slicer | |
Additional information | |
| Maintenance chains | |
| Date collected | 22-Aug-2023 |
BaleTrak Pro monitor-controller
A second BaleTrak Pro monitor-controller and tractor portion of the wiring harness can be ordered for installation on a second tractor, if desired:
Override switch
A manual twine-arm override switch (A) is included with the monitor wiring.
The switch allows the operator to manually wrap twine on the bale if the BaleTrak Pro monitor-controller malfunctions.
NOTES:
These parts are required to install the electric twine-wrap control module on the tractor for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
A54171 and A53254
A54171 and A53254 are for 447 and 547 Round Balers with the optional electric twine module.
BE23863
BE23863 is required to mount the electric twine control module on open-station tractor rollover protective structures (ROPS) for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
In addition to this bundle, the following brackets and hardware must be ordered through Parts.
For the electric twine control module, also order A54171 and A53254
E88560
E88560 is for the electric twine control module for the 447 and 547 Round Balers.
These parts are required to install the electric twine-wrap control module on the tractor for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
A54171 and A53254
A54171 and A53254 are for 447 and 547 Round Balers with the optional electric twine module.
BE23863
BE23863 is required to mount the electric twine control module on open-station tractor rollover protective structures (ROPS) for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
In addition to this bundle, the following brackets and hardware must be ordered through Parts.
For the electric twine control module, also order A54171 and A53254
E88560
E88560 is for the electric twine control module for the 447 and 547 Round Balers.
These parts are required to install the electric twine-wrap control module on the tractor for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
A54171 and A53254
A54171 and A53254 are for 447 and 547 Round Balers with the optional electric twine module.
BE23863
BE23863 is required to mount the electric twine control module on open-station tractor rollover protective structures (ROPS) for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
In addition to this bundle, the following brackets and hardware must be ordered through Parts.
For the electric twine control module, also order A54171 and A53254
E88560
E88560 is for the electric twine control module for the 447 and 547 Round Balers.
These parts are required to install the electric twine-wrap control module on the tractor for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
A54171 and A53254
A54171 and A53254 are for 447 and 547 Round Balers with the optional electric twine module.
BE23863
BE23863 is required to mount the electric twine control module on open-station tractor rollover protective structures (ROPS) for 447 and 547 Round Balers.
In addition to this bundle, the following brackets and hardware must be ordered through Parts.
For the electric twine control module, also order A54171 and A53254
E88560
E88560 is for the electric twine control module for the 447 and 547 Round Balers.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Fire extinguisher
A pressurized 2-1/2 U.S. gal. (9.5-L) water-type fire extinguisher can be installed on the baler.
It is recommended for hay and grass fires.
Fire extinguisher
A pressurized 2-1/2 U.S. gal. (9.5-L) water-type fire extinguisher can be installed on the baler.
It is recommended for hay and grass fires.
Seven-pin outlet kit
The seven-terminal electrical outlet is required on tractors not equipped to power the taillights and turn signals.
Convenience outlet kit
This convenience outlet and wiring harness can be installed in a tractor without a convenience outlet to power the monitor.
The harness is recommended for use with either the optional BaleWatch™ monitor on 457, 457 Silage Special, and 557 Round Balers, or with the BaleTrak™ Pro and BaleTrak Plus monitor-controller on 457, 457 Silage Special, 557, 467 Silage Special, 467, and 567 Round Balers.
Adapter
This wiring harness is required to hook up electric controls with a three-terminal plug to a tractor with a two-terminal convenience outlet.
The harness is recommended to be used only with the BaleWatch™ monitor on 457, 457 Silage Special, and 557 Round Balers.
IMPORTANT: Do not use this harness with the BaleTrak™ Pro or BaleTrak Plus monitor-controller. A voltage drop may occur, resulting in lower force from the twine and surface-wrap accuators.
Adjustable twine guide
Adjustable twine guides are used to move the location of the twine closer to the center of the bale.
Auxiliary take-up rolls eliminate flipping and twisting of the belts in hilly conditions.
Base Equipment: All silage special round balers.
Auxiliary take-up rolls eliminate flipping and twisting of the belts in hilly conditions.
Base Equipment: All silage special round balers.
The rearview mirrors mount to the tractor cab to improve rearward visibility.
Gathering wheels
Gathering wheels aid in picking up extra-wide or wind-scattered windrows.
Gathering wheels are side mounted and spring loaded.
NOTE: Gathering wheels are not available for MegaWide™ pickups.
High-moisture kit
This kit is for use when baling high-moisture crops.
Roll scrapers, mountings, and a staggered belt roll with anti-buildup spirals reduce wrappage and crop buildup.
High-moisture kit
This kit is for use when baling high-moisture crops.
Roll scrapers, mountings, and a staggered belt roll with anti-buildup spirals reduce wrappage and crop buildup.
Lacer vice
Use the lacer vice for repairing failed clipper-style belt splices or for splicing broken belts. When properly used, it will allow tight, even spacing of hooks when repairing belts.
It replaces the correct number of hooks in the belt in one operation. (Order through Parts.)
Order the following mounting bracket bundles to install BaleTrak Pro monitors in tractors with or without cabs.
Use the sidesheet enhancement kit in extremely abrasive crops and field conditions to add additional service life to 7 or 8 Series Round Balers with worn side sheets.
4-ft-wide auger kit (shield removed for photo)
In very dry, fluffy crop conditions, this auger kit prevents crop from climbing the front of the baler belts on 458 Standard, 458, and 468 Balers.
Located on top of the front staggered belt roll, the auger is chain-driven.
This auger kit is not a replacement for the high-moisture baling kit.
Variable core for balers with BaleWatch
This variable core kit is for 457, 457 Silage Special, and 557 Balers equipped with the BaleWatch™ monitor.
Variable core for BaleTrak Plus or BaleTrak Pro
This variable core kit is for 67 Series Balers and 57 Series Balers equipped with the BaleTrak™ Pro and BaleTrak Plus monitor-controller.
This kit reduces hydraulic pressure for easier bale starts in difficult conditions.
Pickup filler plates installed on baler
Pickup filler plates are designed to prevent corn cobs from becoming lodged in the pickup strippers. This attachment will improve pickup tooth and rotor tine reliability.
Pickup filler plates
Utilization of the corn cob filler plates will greatly improve machine reliability in crops with high concentrations of cobs and will not adversely affect machine performance in other crop conditions.
NOTE: Not Compatible on the MegaWide™ High Capacity and Cutting (HC2) feed system.
Cut-away sections of regular compressor rack vs. solid cornstalk compressor rack
The BE32257 cornstalk compressor rack is designed to improve the feeding of fluffy cornstalk windrows into the baler. The cornstalk compressor rack offers a full complement of compressor rods and utilizes a solid steel shaft to attach the compressor rods, which serves two purposes:
This heavy-duty rack is designed for use on 1.5-m (5-ft) wide balers in cornstalks only. The conventional compressor rack must be reinstalled when baling other crops. The installation time for switching the racks is approximately 15 minutes.
NOTE: For use on 1.5-m (5-ft) wide balers in cornstalks only. Not compatible on the MegaWide™ High Capacity and Cutting (HC2) feed system.
COVER-EDGE net wrap
The updated COVER-EDGE surface wrap stretches over the edges of the bale approximately 1 in. to 2 in. for complete bale coverage. The attachment now provides storage space for an extra roll of surface wrap.
The COVER-EDGE surface wrap produces a better-looking bale for increased marketability and retains higher hay quality during storage. Wrap time is reduced to only two turns of the bale.
COVER-EDGE net wrap
The updated COVER-EDGE surface wrap stretches over the edges of the bale approximately 1 in. to 2 in. for complete bale coverage. The attachment now provides storage space for an extra roll of surface wrap.
The COVER-EDGE surface wrap produces a better-looking bale for increased marketability and retains higher hay quality during storage. Wrap time is reduced to only two turns of the bale.
COVER-EDGE net wrap
The updated COVER-EDGE surface wrap stretches over the edges of the bale approximately 1 in. to 2 in. for complete bale coverage. The attachment now provides storage space for an extra roll of surface wrap.
The COVER-EDGE surface wrap produces a better-looking bale for increased marketability and retains higher hay quality during storage. Wrap time is reduced to only two turns of the bale.
COVER-EDGE net wrap
The updated COVER-EDGE surface wrap stretches over the edges of the bale approximately 1 in. to 2 in. for complete bale coverage. The attachment now provides storage space for an extra roll of surface wrap.
The COVER-EDGE surface wrap produces a better-looking bale for increased marketability and retains higher hay quality during storage. Wrap time is reduced to only two turns of the bale.