I have a 47 Wire Tie baler and have started having an issue with the needles. Last year the plunger stop was working, I found out the hard way when the pinion bearing went out and the baler lost time. Sheared every shear bolt in the baler but the needles were not damaged.
This year the first time I turned on the PTO I damaged the right needle (standing behind the baler) - apparently the needles had crept up into the chamber when the baler sat all winter and I didn't notice it when I pulled it out of the shed and greased it. I had rolled it over a few times by hand before I started it to feed some hay in but that didn't cut it. I replaced the needle (have (had) two extra) and went on my way baling. About 2000 bales later the wire tangled up as it went from one roll to the next, I think the trip sheared the pin while pulling against the wire leaving the needles in the chamber and the plunger hit one needle - bending the right needle all to ****. The left needle was again undamaged. How is that happening? I would think that both needles should be damaged (not that I want that to happen).
I am having no issues with bales tieing (in fact the wire feed issue was my first broken bale this year) so I am assuming that the needles are staying parrallel to each other.
I know I need to spend some time fixing the plunger stop (any suggestions would be welcome). With the baler empty of hay I rolled it over a few times by hand with the needles in the chamber (removed the shear bolt) and the stop appears to be function correctly.
The dealership straightened the first bent needle and it was reinstalled after the spare bent. I have my doubts if the last one can be straightened - I hope it can because at this rate I'm going to need it.
This year the first time I turned on the PTO I damaged the right needle (standing behind the baler) - apparently the needles had crept up into the chamber when the baler sat all winter and I didn't notice it when I pulled it out of the shed and greased it. I had rolled it over a few times by hand before I started it to feed some hay in but that didn't cut it. I replaced the needle (have (had) two extra) and went on my way baling. About 2000 bales later the wire tangled up as it went from one roll to the next, I think the trip sheared the pin while pulling against the wire leaving the needles in the chamber and the plunger hit one needle - bending the right needle all to ****. The left needle was again undamaged. How is that happening? I would think that both needles should be damaged (not that I want that to happen).
I am having no issues with bales tieing (in fact the wire feed issue was my first broken bale this year) so I am assuming that the needles are staying parrallel to each other.
I know I need to spend some time fixing the plunger stop (any suggestions would be welcome). With the baler empty of hay I rolled it over a few times by hand with the needles in the chamber (removed the shear bolt) and the stop appears to be function correctly.
The dealership straightened the first bent needle and it was reinstalled after the spare bent. I have my doubts if the last one can be straightened - I hope it can because at this rate I'm going to need it.
