[AT] NH vs JD baler

[Grant Brians]

I also can relate to the issue of price/acreage justification for
newer/larger machines. I bought an old (1990's potato digger rather than a
real harvester because the real harvester route starts used in the range of
$100,000 and for 30 acres of mixed varieties it just does not pencil out for
that! In the situation for Ralph, perhaps getting a used three wire baler
and harobed out of Washington or Oregon might be the way to go? The price
would be reasonable, the units are easy to work on and most parts are not
hard to get if they are New Holland or Freeman. Just a thought....
        Grant Brians
        Hollister,California farmer of vegetables, nuts and fruit
p.s. But sometimes new is the way to go. I just had to get JD6430 4WD #3 in
the last 5 years - all either new or rental return. I hate the need to have
two tractor payments every month, but it just became clear we had pushed
several of the "older new" - i.e. 1990's tractors to their limit and beyond
as far as economic usage.

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Ralph Goff
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 7:13 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] NH vs JD baler


On 5/26/2014 7:09 PM, jtchall at nc.rr.com wrote:
> The are several problems with finding one of those around here anymore.
When
> that one left over 20 years ago it was well used but still in great shape.
I
> imagine by now it is completely worn out and scrapped. I just don't find
> many big older machines for sale, I guess they were "used up" at a higher
> rate than the small ones. Lots of smaller (and older) ones still around
and
> with some luck, I hope to find one that hasn't been used up. Just like the
> rest of my equipment, I'd like newer and nicer, but don't have acreage to
> justify the purchases.
>
> John
>
Now that sounds familiar. Mostly why I am using a $1200 old NH round
baler to make hay for the few cattle I have. Re: square balers, it would
be nice to have one someday that I can actually get out of first or
second gear when baling with. The old NH 270 just would not handle any
large swath at speed. Shear pin would break or the knot would hang up on
the bill hook and break the twine.  Although considering how rough most
of my hayfields are I guess speed is not such a concern.
Massey made some decent balers. I have an old 120 that is not too worn
out and it is fairly trouble free in operation. It also makes banana
bales sometimes. Different from NH. The Massey bales are curved upwards
at each end and sometimes they will collapse into a complete circle.
Most of the time it is acceptable and I don't make a lot of square bales
anymore. My knee does like to handle many square bales.

Ralph in Sask.
>

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