IH 37 Baler Problem

Alan V · Jun 23, 2016

I have had this #37 baler for a dozen years or more and it's been pretty much trouble free until this year. I was baling some nice dry hay a few days ago when it suddenly started shearing pins. On closer inspection I noticed that the needles were not going all the way down after the knotter had tied. The points of the needles stuck up into the chamber about an inch, and when the plunger came forward it slammed into the needles and naturally sheared the pin in the flywheel. Is this a timing problem or is there something else going on here?

crooked rows · Jun 23, 2016

Check to make sure that the brake that holds the needles is holding them in the home position.

JimB2 · Jun 23, 2016

As the other post said, check the knotter disk brake. Catch the needle yoke and pull it back up into place and see if it will stay there. I assume the plunger is hit the safety stop block instead of the needles. Check the condition of the spring on the safety stop block mechanism under the bale chamber. If the plunger actually hit the needles the needles could be bent or the needle yoke is twisted.

JimB

Alan V · Jun 23, 2016

Thanks for the help. I tightened up the knotter brake a few turns. You're right about the plunger hitting the safety stop, not the needles. My mistake.I did notice that the safety stop stays up longer than it needs to, causing the pin to shear. I'm thinking I need to adjust the threaded rod on the safety stop clevis so that the stop block drops down from the chamber a bit earlier. Or am I asking for trouble if I do this?

pete 23 · Jun 23, 2016

What happens is that when the bale length metering wheel trips, the knotter brake is supposed to hold the head from turning until it is driven by the trip dog, but the brake lets the needles fall down, thus, plunger stop prevents needle damage. The 37 and other 7 series balers were a real problem when introduced with shearing the bolts and crunching needles. IH came with an improvement package where they changed the trip dog so it could not drag and cause the needles to drive ahead of time and some times causing the hay to drag the needles in and bang goes the needles. Changed over a couple of them. So, make sure it takes a kick with your foot to move them needles after it trips. There is an actual pound setting which escapes me but I got to where I just used the foot on the needle support tube.

JimB2 · Jun 23, 2016

I would not adjust the safety stop unless it is braking shear bolts for no reason. Better to shear a bolt than clip the needles or twist the needle carrier yoke.

IH 37 Baler Problem

Alan V

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crooked rows

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JimB2

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Alan V

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pete 23

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JimB2

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