balers

Phil Tibbetts · Aug 16, 2017

Would like come opinions on the most reliable brand and model square hay balers. I got to start looking for a good used one as my early 60's case 200 is getting pretty well shot. still working pretty good but I need to have something ready to go if it finally dies on me. It has been a good baler, don't owe me another bale of hay. Not many Case balers in these parts. Should be some good used ones around as a lot of people are going to round bates.

Hayfarmer · Aug 16, 2017

I think the most common ones are NH and JD. From forum discussions thee seem to be lots of old models of each in use. My preference would be NH as I have had really good luck with mine and I used to work on them. Most guys here seem to use the ones making smaller bales, 14x16 I think. I have the larger size, a NH 282. It is pretty old but still works good.

Phil Tibbetts · Aug 16, 2017

Yes small bales is what I am looking for. What models are best? See quite a few New Holland 68 around. Like to find something that has been well cared for and kept under cover. See lots of them rusted out because hay was left in the chamber.

Farmallhal · Aug 16, 2017

Phil, my recommendation is to use the brand which is most common to your area which is usually determined by superior dealer support. The top square baler in this part of Missouri (probably close to or more then 90%) are New Holland's due to having a very supportive dealership that runs 24/7 support during hay season. I've had a New Holland 273 which was a late 1960's model which never caused a problem and I upgraded to a later model a few years ago which is a New Holland 311. The 1982 model 311 has been trouble free since I purchased it from the original owner. It's prior use was just for baling alfalfa hay as his other hay was put into round bales. It was a low usage baler and shed kept when not in use. A NH 68 is an early model (maybe even a late 1950's or 60's) and most likely would have considerable wear to most parts unless you have knowledge of very limited use and proper off-season maintenance and inside storage. Just a guess there were probably more NH 273's produced then any other single square baler model and are very common. Good luck in finding a nice useable, trouble-free baler in your area, Hal.

banjoman09 · Aug 16, 2017

Hi Phil, good topic. I have had both JD and New Holland. I have used an old NH 271 for years.....keeps right on baling. Parts are easy to come buy; might look for a NH baler a bit newer than mine...I would love to have a 300 series...like a 315 NH baler. Best is Craigs list or local farm auction - doesn't have to be local. I have a local farmer that rebuilds and sells NH balers for a living....he is really good at it. Seems like after he goes thru them and paints them- he gets around $4000 for most. I have baled with twine for yrs- my dilemma is which is best to bale with - twine or wire? Good luck!

dhermesc · Aug 17, 2017

I agree with the below comments about New Holland and John Deere balers - getting new parts for a New Holland is fairly easy - even the very old two digit models. Best thing is to ask around and find out which dealership has a real mechanic trained in square balers and then narrow your search to that brand. The local Case New Holland dealership has an excellent baler man, the local John Deere dealership will gladly charge you $100 an hour while their "tech" reads the manual and tries to figure out what to do.

rustyfarmall · Aug 17, 2017

Back in the days when small, square balers were common, it was very unusual to see anything OTHER than a New Holland. Didn't matter what brand the rest of the machinery was, the haying equipment was nearly always New Holland.

Farmallhal · Aug 17, 2017

Ditto on JD service in this area as well - seems they are more interested in lawn mowers then real farm implements, Hal.

dhermesc · Aug 17, 2017

If you move up to a 276 model or higher the machines really step up in capacity.

If capacity isn't an issue the 268, 269, 271, 273 models all seem pretty solid. You are getting into some really old equipment when you go back the 68 or S68 models. They would need to be kept in pretty good condition (and properly stored) to find one you want to rely on. If they didn't care enough to clean the hay out at the end of the season who knows what else they didn't care about in maintenance.

300jk · Aug 18, 2017

We use a New Holland 270. Bought it probably 15-20.years ago. Paid around 1200 for it, but it had very little use and looked like it sat in a barn all it's life. I believe it's basically the same as a 271 except for the drawbar setup. Has been an excellent baler.

balers

Phil Tibbetts

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Hayfarmer

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Phil Tibbetts

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Farmallhal

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banjoman09

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dhermesc

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rustyfarmall

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Farmallhal

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dhermesc

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300jk

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