[AT] more old balers

[John Hall]

Well, my search for another baler continues. I have looked at 5 in the 
last 3 days. Only one was field ready, it is a NH 273. Obviously shows 
wear for its age but appears shed kept and not mistreated. The only 
drawback I see is it has a Long 1 section driveshaft. In other works it 
doesn't have the little short section  that bolts right above the hitch 
that allows you to turn short. I am pretty certain the clutch was still 
setup, just had the shaft replaced. I wonder how much of a pain this 
would be to use? I may have a driveline out of a pull type combine that 
could be put on to make it like original.

If you guys would only have seen a couple I looked at yesterday. One was 
a NH 68. Great looking machine (rusty from age, not weather), probably 
hadn't baled in 10 years. Showed no sign of abuse, don't even think 
there was a dent in the sheet metal anywhere. Problem was its way too 
old for the $700 price tag. Then I looked at a Deere 336 for $700. It 
resided outdoors every summer and was a rusty mess. Supposedly it was 
running last year, but I couldn't roll the flywheel and get it to budge 
either way, and the bale chamber area where the plunger runs had rusted 
through. I wouldn't have towed it home if it was free. Looked at another 
273 last Sat. Brand new needles, ran a couple years ago, a lot of wear, 
broke timing chain and a u-joint is out. Too much money for the asking 
price. Found a couple more but at 45-50 miles away I don't want to tow 
them, too much traffic.

So, still hunting for a baler........

John Hall