[AT] Old baler guidance needed

Spencer Yost yostsw at atis.net
Wed Apr 20 10:19:50 PDT 2016


Thanks for all the continuing input.   I have looked at a few New Holland balers, but they seem so expensive. All other things being equal(like age and condition), a New Holland will be $700-$1000 more than any other make.   I am attending an auction that has  a 269 this weekend,  But after that I am done looking at New Hollands.   Especially with my acreage.  I can't afford a 1500-2500 baler

Spencer Yost

> On Apr 20, 2016, at 11:20 AM, Gunnells, Bradley R <brad-gunnells at uiowa.edu> wrote:
> 
> Ah the saga of a baler. I’ve still got the old IH 46 you brought me parts for when Brice was scrapping one out.
> 
> Once when mine was down I borrowed an old AC square baler. I think it was a 303 (or 404) but it worked pretty well…that is after I found and replaced a broken spring on the knotter assembly. The funny part was it was the same knotter on an old NH 66 that was in my fence line. Swiped the spring off it and away I went. I’m wondering if there were only a couple manufacturers of knotters and other brands bought them? (or copied the design?)
> 
> In any case, one in that kind of shape at that price seems like something worth pursuing. As others have said….a manual goes a long way to knowing what to adjust and where.
> 
> Good luck and keep us posted. 
> 
> Brad
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 4/19/16, 6:16 PM, "at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com on behalf of Spencer Yost" <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com on behalf of yostsw at atis.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks Cecil.   I am fairly impressed with this baler.  The only problem is transportation.   It's about 60 miles away.    The owner has the manual and is the grandson of the original owner.   It has  been a backup baler to their newer New Holland  for the last 20 years.  As a sidenote, they bale wheat straw and oat straw almost exclusively. Which is a little unusual for this area. Most people bale grass hay around here.   It saw recent use  about two years ago when the wheat was so thick he said you could walk across the fields on bales of wheat straw without touching the ground.   The owner agreed to demonstrate its field readiness and is only 700$ - which around here is a good price for a working baler.
>> 
>> Spencer Yost
>> 
>>> On Apr 19, 2016, at 12:52 PM, Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Spencer:
>>> I have hauled a lot of hay from a #3 baler.  If we could cut it and get 
>>> it into a windrow, that baler baled it.  A neighbor had it and baled all 
>>> our hay and a few other neighbors.  I hauled hay with all the other 
>>> kids, we worked right in the field with it.  I don't remember it having 
>>> any real issues.   If it has been shedded, it will be just as good as a 
>>> newer model.   Plenty of grease on those blocks is the most important thing.
>>> 
>>> Cecil in OKla
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 4/19/2016 10:47 AM, Spencer Yost wrote:
>>>>> From the "ain't farming fun" department.....
>>>> 
>>>> As you folks may remember, I have only 5 acres to bale.   I do manage it fairly intensively so there is a lot of hay there and always worth the effort.   I mow and tedd and a neighbor rakes and bales it.
>>>> 
>>>> Short story:   I now need a baler - Can anyone share experience with the Massey #3 baler?   I looked at one in very nice shape for very little money.  #3s are a wood block instead of roller bearing baler but the blocks seem to be in good shape.  The Massey is really straight and shows very little wear.   Very tight chains and signs of continual maintenance and mostly shed storage.
>>>> 
>>>> Long story:  My neighbor who bales for me has a family member - another farmer also - in the hospital and he says he can no longer do my hay because he now also has their hay to worry about.   I know better than to ask to borrow his equipment so I am left to scramble for a rake and baler and get them within 3 weeks.  I would say "forget it" and just buy hay, but I have $500 in lime, seed, fertilizer, and have spread lots of composted manure.    It would be a a real loss to just mow it and then have to buy hay.  Because it is only 5 acres, cost is a huge concern and am willing to make do with any old thing that will put up 400-500 bales a year.  I just don't want a baler that everyone knows is a "problem baler". I have never even picked up bales behind a Massey baler; let alone operated or owned one.   I am still looking for a custom baler but I am coming up with zilch for a custom baler that will do square bales.   A few in the area will do round bales.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>> 
>>>> Spencer Yost
>>>> 
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