New Holland North America is releasing Model Year 2027 updates to its Roll-Belt™ 1 Series round balers, continuing to refine one of the brand’s core hay and forage platforms around the needs of producers. The updates include a new net protection system, larger rollers and bearings in key wear areas, a new Bale Command™ 8 display option, factory-fit IntelliBale™ automation and clearer model naming for 5x6 configurations.
At a Glance
- The new net protection system for 5x6 models helps improve net wrap performance in demanding conditions such as heavy cornstalk residue.
- Larger, stronger rollers and bigger bearings have been added in key wear areas to support equipment endurance and reliability.
- The new Bale Command™ 8 color touchscreen monitor gives customers an in-cab technology option when full ISOBUS functionality is not required.
- Factory-fit IntelliBale™ automation allows balers to be ordered pre-configured from the factory, reducing setup time and simplifying dealer installation.
The Roll-Belt 1 Series updates for Model Year 2027 reflect New Holland’s broader approach to hay and forage equipment: pairing durable machines with practical technology, accessible automation and dealer support so producers can improve productivity season after season. For more than 130 years, New Holland has supported farmers with technology, solutions and services built around productive agriculture, including equipment and connected services for haymaking operations.
“Hay and forage producers face constant and evolving pressure across every aspect of their operations, from maximizing crop and bale quality to helping teams work more efficiently in tight harvest windows,” says Alex Berwager, product go-to-market manager for New Holland North America. “These Roll-Belt round baler updates are designed to make every day baling easier, more consistent and more productive. With practical improvements like net wrap protection, durability, in-cab control and factory-fit automation, we’re helping operators work with greater confidence, even in demanding conditions.”
Durability Enhancements Support Long-Term Baler Performance
New Holland has added larger, heavier parts to key wear areas, including the tailgate, back wrap and follower rollers. Bigger, more robust bearings have also been integrated into the balers to further improve reliability.
Net Wrap Updates for Demanding Conditions
On the balers, a new net protection system uses electro-hydraulic belt tension control at bale ejection. When the tailgate is raised, belt tension relaxes to stop belt movement and help prevent net damage when finished bales are ejected. The simplified design provides more reliable bale protection, enhances baler reliability and saves time by reducing rebaling in demanding conditions, such as straw and heavy cornstalk residue.
In-Cab Technology and Factory-Supplied Automation Simplify Operation
The Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt 1 Series updates include a new Bale Command™ 8 display option. The color touchscreen monitor is designed for customers who do not require a monitor with full ISOBUS functionality and who operate across diverse equipment and fleet capabilities.
New Holland is also introducing a factory-fit IntelliBale™ round baler automation option. This simplified setup means customers can enable automation features right away. With the new option, activation of baler automation occurs at the factory with the bale presence switch provided on the machine invoice. This reduces dealer setup and activation time, ensures simplified customer retail pricing and is projected to accelerate New Holland precision solutions adoption.
Clearer Roll-Belt 561 Model Naming Helps Match Balers to Applications
To provide alignment across the Roll-Belt 1 Series, New Holland is renaming the four model configurations under the 561 lineup. The naming convention is designed to more clearly indicate the right machine for producers’ application and production needs.
- Hay Special is suited for dry hay crop conditions.
- Specialty Crop can be used on dry heavy crops and cornstalks.
- Silage Special works well for silage crop conditions.
- Bale-Slice™ is designed to produce sliced dry hay and silage bales.
Availability
Pre-ordering is now open for Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt 1 Series round balers. Producers can visit their local New Holland dealer to learn more and pre-order balers and other hay equipment for the 2027 season. These balers will also be on display in New Holland booth #202 at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. For more information, visit https://agriculture.newholland.com/en-us/nar or contact your local New Holland dealer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did New Holland announce for Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt round balers?
New Holland announced updates to its Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt™ 1 Series round balers, including a new net protection system, upgraded rollers and bearings, a new Bale Command™ 8 display option, factory-fit IntelliBale™ automation and updated naming for 561 model configurations.
Who are the Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt 1 Series updates designed for?
The updates are designed for hay and forage producers with diverse application needs, including dry hay, heavy dry crops, cornstalks, silage and sliced bale production.
What does the new net protection system do?
The new net protection system relieves belt tension as the tailgate opens, allowing the belts to separate from the drive roll. This protects the net wrap on finished bales in demanding conditions like straw and heavy corn stalks.
What is factory-fit IntelliBale™ automation?
Factory-fit IntelliBale™ automation allows Roll-Belt round balers to be ordered fully pre-configured from the factory, reducing setup time and simplifying dealer installation.
When are Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt 1 Series round balers available?
Pre-ordering is now open through New Holland dealers for Model Year 2027 Roll-Belt round balers, with delivery expected ahead of the 2027 season.