Dad found a Massey Ferguson square baler at a reasonable price. There is a Massey dealer about 15 minutes away but they are hard to deal with unless you know the right people. The baler looks to be in good shape according to Dad. How reliable are these balers and when were they manufactured. The next option is a 1999 NH 575 that has already run about 150 thousand bales according to the owner. I do not currently have a large operation. I have been asked to help some of the balers in the area during peak time and their down time. Can the Massey keep up. Will the 575 last another 15 years. Sorry for all the questions but I don't have enough money to spend without good advise.
- Thread starter RustyS
- Start date
I agree with that but my short term budget likes the Massey. Everything else likes the 575. The 575 is, in my mind, the better investment, but I was hoping to start cheaper and take that bigger bite later. Several thousand dollar difference between the two. Price difference is probably a good indicator
My advice, buy the very best baler you can afford.
With an old plow, disc, etc: if it breaks down, you
go to the house fix it, if it rains, just wait till
it drys up and go again.
With a baler, you have your hay on the ground, it
breaks down, if it rains you have lost your crop.
With an old baler, you almost need a backup baler.
Most folks around my location go with new holland or
John Deere sq balers.
You are buying the knotter system, that seems to be
the part of the baler that gives the most trouble.
It must be in class one condition if you are going
to bale hay!!!!!
Can not say that enough.
With an old plow, disc, etc: if it breaks down, you
go to the house fix it, if it rains, just wait till
it drys up and go again.
With a baler, you have your hay on the ground, it
breaks down, if it rains you have lost your crop.
With an old baler, you almost need a backup baler.
Most folks around my location go with new holland or
John Deere sq balers.
You are buying the knotter system, that seems to be
the part of the baler that gives the most trouble.
It must be in class one condition if you are going
to bale hay!!!!!
Can not say that enough.
You did't say wheather the Massey was an older
'conventional',or the newer inline.The 575 is an
awsome baler,as is the inline.If the Massey is
'conventional,the 575 wins hands down.If The Massey
is an inline,IMHO,the inline is superior.But,both
inline and 575 will do the job with no problems.So I
really can't advise either way.FWIW,I have an
inline.The absolute best baler I've EVER owned....or
used.Steve
'conventional',or the newer inline.The 575 is an
awsome baler,as is the inline.If the Massey is
'conventional,the 575 wins hands down.If The Massey
is an inline,IMHO,the inline is superior.But,both
inline and 575 will do the job with no problems.So I
really can't advise either way.FWIW,I have an
inline.The absolute best baler I've EVER owned....or
used.Steve
The Older MF baler is not a bad machine. The 24 and 124 balers worked real well. The issue is support.
It sounds like the local MF dealer is not the best to deal with. Also very few dealer techs today know anything about a square baler knotter.
The MF knotter works differently than the JD or NH one. I can make the MF knotter work but it is harder for me to do.
The biggest draw back is AGCO for parts. The baler parts are SKY HIGH!!!! Plus very few dealer keep any thing in stock so your looking at waiting for parts.
The NH baler would have much better support. The NH knotter has change very little over the years. So the average NH dealer has parts on hand for the knotter.
It sounds like the local MF dealer is not the best to deal with. Also very few dealer techs today know anything about a square baler knotter.
The MF knotter works differently than the JD or NH one. I can make the MF knotter work but it is harder for me to do.
The biggest draw back is AGCO for parts. The baler parts are SKY HIGH!!!! Plus very few dealer keep any thing in stock so your looking at waiting for parts.
The NH baler would have much better support. The NH knotter has change very little over the years. So the average NH dealer has parts on hand for the knotter.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I myself would take an older low use machine over a newer machine that had that kind of use. I also would wait until I found a low use John Deere or New Holland. Good selection of after market parts and plenty of people that know about how to work on them.
Case Nutty 1660
Well-known Member
when I did small squares I would do 125-175 thousand a year through mine, I did that for 20 years or so and my baler is still fine, if you can buy the NH that would be my choice, I have seen some MF models work well for a few here as well
showcrop
Well-known Member
I have been running an MF 224 for about ten years, other than an occasional hung up hay dog I have had zero problems. Parts are the same everywhere, no manufacturer or dealer wants to stock parts for the older equipment. If you depend on the dealer it is a trip to order, three days for it to come and another trip to pick up. If you order on line, two days to your door, faster cheaper.
Hay hay hay
Well-known Member
A zillion cows have been fed hay that came out the end of a MF baler. If you are just starting and the Massey is really cheap, use it a while to see if this business is for you and if it has an upside. You can always upgrade, but once in too deep it is hard to backup.
Shetland Sheepdog
Well-known Member
I'd go with the 575 in a heartbeat! 150,000 bales in 15 years is only 10,000 bales a year! That's not a lot for a top of the line New Holland!
JMHO, Dave
JMHO, Dave
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