[AT] Old baler guidance needed

[Steve W.]

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
> 

One of the Amish neighbors uses a MF3 baler. I have helped him a couple 
years and the thing works like a watch... Grease the blocks and use a 
mid range twine and it just keeps going (and he does the same amount of 
maintenance that many other farmers do, It ain't totally broke so I 
don't need to fix it yet). I have welded the hitch and repaired the 
chute once (the horses didn't WHOA quite fast enough!)

-- 
Steve W.