The 30,000th large square baler produced by New Holland Agriculture recently left the assembly line at the CNH Industrial plant in Zedelgem, Belgium.

Finished with a commemorative decal to celebrate the occasion, the landmark machine, a BigBaler 1290 Plus, comes 33 years after the D1000; the first New Holland large square baler in 1987 (joined that same year by the D2000).

The 1995-launched D1010 was claimed as the first large square baler with a chopping mechanism (Packer Cutter) and the BB900 series in 1999 were the first with the InfoView display.

The BB900A series in 2004, which were the first with the IntelliView display, were available with a choice of four and six knot technology. 2008 saw the launch of the BB9000 series (IntelliView III), which is the same year the 15,000th large square baler to wear the New Holland name left the Belgian plant.

A feature of the BigBaler 230 that followed in 2012 was IntelliCruise, which controlled the tractor’s forward speed through ISObus technology. The BigBaler 340 Plus was released in 2016, followed by a full range of BigBaler Plus models in 2017.

Launched in 1987, the D1000 was New Holland’s first large square baler.

The SmartShift gearbox in the latest BigBaler 1290 High Density models won an innovation award silver medal at Agritechnica 2019. This latest baler also features patented Loop Master double knotter technology.

Large square balers are designed, developed and manufactured in Zedelgem. The company’s flagship combines, and forage harvesters are made at the same plant.