New for model year 2026, New Holland introduces the Roll-Belt™ 1 Series, a reengineered lineup of variable chamber round balers designed to help haymakers work smarter, bale faster and ensure producers stay connected. With three updated models, this new series integrates more durability, more feeding capacity and more technology into New Holland round balers than ever before.
“No matter the crop, New Holland has a baler built for the job, and they’re proudly made right here in New Holland, Pennsylvania,” says Alex Berwager, livestock and dairy business manager for New Holland North America. “Whether you're a beef producer in the Southern Plains or Midwest, or running a dairy in the Northeast, the new Roll-Belt 1 Series was designed with your needs in mind. There’s a configuration to fit nearly every operation.”
Improved pickup performance and feeding control
Feeding performance gets a major boost in the Roll-Belt 451, 461 and 561 models. A newly designed single roller windguard now comes standard on all OSF (OverShot Feeder) pickup models. Boasting a larger 8.4-inch roller — 60% larger in diameter than its predecessor — helps better compress the crop mat and improve feeding into the chamber.
For those baling larger windrows, a new dual roller windguard is available as an option on the Roll-Belt 561 model. The front and rear rollers pivot independently, providing adaptive control in variable crop and ground conditions. Operators can also lock both rollers together when compressing loose or fluffy windrows.
“Each of these three models has a distinct fit. Take, for example, the Roll-Belt 561. In corn stalks, it truly shines,” Berwager says. “We’re seeing a 16% improvement in feeding capacity thanks to the dual roller windguard, jumping from 43 to 50 tons per hour. That means less plugging from the controlled crop flow and greater productivity to tackle more when your time is short.”
Roll-Belt 451 and 461 models offer Rotor Feeder and Rotor Cutter pickup options that feature premium Diamond® drive chains, which are widely known for their strength and durability. All three models sport upgraded chain specs from RC80 to RC100 on the belt drive roll chain, further enhancing the machine’s capacity to handle high-volume feed capacity tasks with confidence.
Other improvements include redesigned pickup flares that improve edge feeding and additional bolt-in windguard tines for better crop compression and even feeding. The number of tines has increased across its two pickup options (1.8m and 2.0m), and bolt-in designs make them easier to adjust or remove to suit different crop types and reduce trash buildup.
Built stronger from the inside out
At the core of the Roll-Belt 1 Series are components redesigned and built to perform even better under strenuous operating pressure like uneven terrain, heavy crop material and dense windrows. The bale forming rolls now use an extruded roll construction made from seamless tubing that’s 3.5 times thicker than the previous design. This eliminates the number of welds and improves structural integrity and wear resistance.
The pivot roll has also been reinforced with a longer right-side shaft and an additional internal plate to handle heavy feed loads and reduce the rate of wear over time. It now features three inner support plates to improve strength and reduce stress on the outer roll skin. Bearings across the baler have been upgraded to a new triple lip seal design to offer superior protection from dust and debris while keeping internal grease clean and effective.
Real-time bale weighing with the Roll-Belt 561
For the first time, producers can monitor the weight of their bales from the cab of their tractor in real-time. The optional ActiveWeigh system, available on the Roll-Belt 561 model, uses three precision load cells and an onboard processor to calculate the bale’s weight as it forms and displays the weight directly on the in-cab monitor.
As the tailgate opens after each bale, a final weight is recorded, and the system automatically resets for the next. Operators can track average bale weight and total accumulated weight by field or job. This improves their inventory tracking, feed planning and operational efficiency.
Next-generation tech comes standard
A first in the Roll-Belt family, ISOBUS Class III will now come standard on all Roll-Belt 1 Series balers, simplifying connections between tractor and implement to make setup more intuitive than ever. Producers have two monitor options to choose from:
- The IntelliView™ IV Plus replaces the previous generation's keypad-based display, offering a modern full-color touchscreen experience.
- The IntelliView™ 12 adds advanced multi-touch capability, faster response and full integration with New Holland’s FieldOps™ platform.
The new interface is user-friendly, with updated screen layouts, easy navigation and pop-up settings that can be accessed right from the home screen. In addition, all Roll-Belt 1 Series balers can be equipped with IntelliBale™ Bale Automation. Once activated, IntelliBale automates the full baling cycle: the tractor stops when the bale is full, wraps it, raises the tailgate to eject the bale and signals the operator to resume without manual input.
Connected and in control with FieldOps™
With the Roll-Belt 1 Series balers, producers can now connect their baler to the New Holland FieldOps™ mobile and web platform. This access gives them visibility into their machine data, field history and bale-by-bale performance. Two levels of connectivity are available.
- Basic Telematics: This level allows an operator to monitor baler location, activity and drop points in real time.
- Advanced Connectivity (with PCM and IntelliView™ 12): Producers can view detailed bale data — including size, wraps, moisture and weight (if equipped) — and generate layered field maps to visualize crop and machine performance.
FieldOps data is transmitted via a built-in cellular modem and includes a lifetime connectivity subscription. These capabilities make it easier than ever to track productivity, share insights and make decisions based on real-time information.
“Whether you're baling alfalfa or corn stalks, for your own herd or for sale, this baler is built to deliver the strength, speed and smart tools today’s operators demand,” Berwager says. “It’s the kind of baler you can count on, season after season.”
A fresh new look
In addition to its internal and tech upgrades, the Roll-Belt 1 Series sports a bold new appearance with yellow color side shields. This new look aligns with New Holland’s global brand strategy for its hay and forage portfolio, and signals the enhanced performance and innovation packed into every MY26 model.
Roll out to the 2025 Farm Progress Show to view the Roll-Belt 1 Series
The Roll-Belt 1 Series will be on display in the New Holland booth (#967) at the 2025 Farm Progress in Decatur, Illinois. The Roll-Belt 451, 461 and 561 models will be available late 2025 at New Holland North America dealerships.
For more information, visit https://agriculture.newholland.com/en-us/nar or contact your local New Holland dealer.