Dealer principal Peter Schulz says the balers out of the Hesston factory in the United States represent a golden opportunity for producers to upgrade into machines with reputations second to none.

"With through-puts of between 14,000 and 16,000, both machines are in immaculate condition," he said.

"A change in market demand, locally and overseas, has caused our customer to upgrade his balers with new models.

"For us, it is a win-win situation.

"We traded two low-use balers and sold two new upgraded machines and we are now happy to be offering two machines at prices ready to meet the current market.

"Both machines will suit new machine buyers, but at reduced prices".

Agco, as the parent company of Massey Ferguson, bought the Hesston company in 1991.

When Hesston developed and introduced the first big square baler in 1978, it took the world by storm.

There was nothing on the market like it.

It changed the hay handling industry from the paddock to opening up new markets in the export and feedlot industries.

Balers from the Hesston factory represent about 60 per cent of the balers sold in Australia each year.

While some of the basic components introduced on the first big square baler can be found on the newest machines, much has changed.

The double-knotter charge chamber and bale density control system on the new balers are evidence of this.

Users believe that controlling density and securing the large bales is at the heart of the success and popularity of the balers.

* Extract from a full Machine of the Week report in Stock Journal, June 18 issue.