[AT] 224T baler

[Cecil R Bearden]

I don't know what the capacity would be.  If you run one of these faster 
than 60 strokes per minute, you will have problems.  I never have run 
one at 540 RPM, more like about 450.  They seem to start having problems 
at the higher rpm.  But that is just my opinion.  I run all balers like 
that. Sorta like sitting in a rocking chair.  I have sat on a tractor 
for 12 hours straight like that.  About 3am, it sure is hard to stay 
awake with that regular rhythm, cool night air and the smell of alfalfa 
and diesel smoke!!  We had a Massey 50 diesel and a Massey baler.  Later 
went to a 440 IH baler I still have.
Cecil in OKla


On 3/4/2013 8:05 PM, jtchall at nc.rr.com wrote:
> Cecil, what would you estimate hourly capacity at in a large field under
> optimal conditions? I would love to have something capable of about 4 bales
> minute, but this baler looks a little small for that. We had a big New
> Holland once that would bale 7 bales of wheat straw per minute--wish it was
> still here!
>
> John
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cecil R Bearden
> Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2013 7:39 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] 224T baler
>
> Maybe I should have weighed in here earlier..   I have run a 24 Wire tie
> Deere Baler.  It was made in the early 50's and has been shedded all its
> life.  It never has been in the rain.  I first ran it 2 years ago after
> borrowing it from a neighbor and baling some bermuda grass.  It was
> missing 4 of the bands in the pickup and several teeth.  It had 1/4 inch
> clearance between the plunger knives!!   I baled 350 bales in 8 hours
> with it in that condition.  I could not afford to stop and repair it
> because I had people fighting over every bale that came out.  A storm
> was predicted that night.  I broke 4 shear pins before I figured out
> what sped to run at, all due to the plunger knives..   I set the knife
> clearance, and the baler chamber was worn bad due to the plunger cocking
> in the chamber from the loose adjusted wear plates.   I greased the wear
> surfaces and started baling again about 6 months later.  I pulled it
> with my 8345 Belarus.  It baled 160 bales in about 2 hours and only
> missed 2 bales.  No pins were sheared.  This was in some very rough
> ground and baling bluestem.   The 224 has a wider pickup than the 24,
> but is the same baler.  My only problem was the swather hadlaid out a
> wider windrow.  If I was to buy that baler, I hope I get the chance, I
> would attach some pickup wheels on it or one at the outside of the
> pickup to pull the windrow in. the knotters are not really any different
> than IH , or NH, so if it is a fair price and you can use it  I would
> buy it.  A good 224T would bring from 1500 to 2500 here in OK.... Twine
> balers are higher than wire balers.
>
>    Be sure not to buy one of those Hesston in-line balers.  I had one and
> never could bale a decent bale with it.  The chains have to run so tight
> they wear out quickly.  You have to have a steady windrow also, not
> heavy and light with an in-line baler.   I gave 44500 for it and sold it
> for 400 and paid the auctioneer 5% and was happy to see it go......
>
> Cecil in OKla
>
>
>
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