[AT] Old baler guidance needed

[Spencer Yost]

Thanks John.   The 273s around me that are less than 2500 are worn out and kept out in the rain.    I have looked at a few of the "super" two digit line like the super 66 than are cheaper(roller bearings and not blocks).   But again, I have not seen one that was not in pretty bad shape.  One super 68 close to me that sounded really nice came up for $800 but it was sold even though the the listing said it was 1 day old. The worst part is the guy won't delete the ad and I get excited everyday for a half a minute until I realize it's the same one. (-;

For example. The 273 in King for $1500, has welded needles, knotter gear teeth worn to a sharp point and missing back out plates.    Someone fed a bale of hay with plates in it (-;

The one in Brown Summit and the one in Elon do not return my calls.   The rest are all over $2000 or are too far away.

The one in Wilkesboro at the new holland dealership for 2500 I went to see when I was in Wilkesboro for work.    It's nice.   If I was going to spend real money I would buy that.   They have it cleaned up, adjusted. and put a few new parts on it.

My big problem is I need one that will work for a couple hundred bales since my back is against the wall. I don't know about you, but my orchardgrass is almost reaching the boot stage already. I will need to cut the next four days of sun I get after this next round of weather.  If I need to work on it between the first and second cutting that's fine.   But I need one to work for a few hundred right out of the gate.  If you see one that doesn't require $500 or more in parts and more than a few hours of work and is less than 1500  let me know!

Tires are a real issue too I've noticed. Several have had replacement tires that prevent the pickup from reaching the ground properly or the tires are badly mismatched.

I have a used Rossi two basket Tedder.   Works great and was pretty cheap to buy as far as tedders go.  That was always part of the deal with my neighbor.  If he could show up with his tractor towing the baler and rake behind it, get in the field and rake and bale without worrying about mowing and tedding he would do it for 10% of the bales. Worked pretty good but all good things come to an end I guess.

The other thing that worked was he does alfalfa. So his equipment was idle when I was ready for baling and he got a little grass hay for his retired horses that don't need high test alfalfa. His sick family member however does grass hay like me.  His equipment will be busy when I need it. So even if he was willing to lend it to me(and he's like me.  He would lend his wife before his baler), it would probably be too busy to use.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!

Spencer Yost

> On Apr 20, 2016, at 10:31 PM, John Hall <jtchall at nc.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> Just checked Craigslist, there are a few 273 New Holland balers closer 
> to you than me, prices from $1-3000.
> 
> What are you doing for a tedder? I bought a 3 point 2 basket about 4-5 
> years ago for $550. I figured it paid for itself in just a couple 
> cuttings by speeding up the drying (I use a sickle mower, not a 
> conditioner). I generally ted the hay 2-3 times, helps get it out of the 
> field before the sun bleaches it.
> 
> John Hall
> 
> 
>> On 4/20/2016 1:19 PM, Spencer Yost wrote:
>> 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
> 
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