Thought I was finished hay for the year, but we've had fair weather and a lot of rain, so the first field I cut in August looks like I can get another cut his fall.
The last baling I did was a few weeks ago, baling up about 10 bales of loose/busted bales we had set aside. While the hay baled up OK, I noticed the wood slide on the bottom, knife side of the plunger was half gone. Since replacing the slides was in the cards for this winter and another cutting is coming, I pulled the plunger out of the baler this weekend.
Very easy job. Removed 4 wedges, 2 each from the sides of the bale chamber, one hay dog (a small solid wedge) on the bottom of the bale chamber. Didn't do anything with the spring loaded hay dogs. Removed the two bolts holding the plunger arm to the crank and the plunger came out easily!
After that, I removed the angles that are on the far side of the bale chamber top/bottom that are adjusted for knife clearance - all of those adjustment bolts will be replaced.
3 of the 4 plunger slides look good. The one the lower side on the knife side was half gone, somewhat rotten - almost look like some termites made theirselves at home. Doesn't looked like the plunger was ever adjusted. The knife is fairly sharp and in great shape.
After seeing the plunger and how it's adjusted, I think I can get this plunger squared-up, knife adjusted and be good to go sooner than later.
Bill
The last baling I did was a few weeks ago, baling up about 10 bales of loose/busted bales we had set aside. While the hay baled up OK, I noticed the wood slide on the bottom, knife side of the plunger was half gone. Since replacing the slides was in the cards for this winter and another cutting is coming, I pulled the plunger out of the baler this weekend.
Very easy job. Removed 4 wedges, 2 each from the sides of the bale chamber, one hay dog (a small solid wedge) on the bottom of the bale chamber. Didn't do anything with the spring loaded hay dogs. Removed the two bolts holding the plunger arm to the crank and the plunger came out easily!
After that, I removed the angles that are on the far side of the bale chamber top/bottom that are adjusted for knife clearance - all of those adjustment bolts will be replaced.
3 of the 4 plunger slides look good. The one the lower side on the knife side was half gone, somewhat rotten - almost look like some termites made theirselves at home. Doesn't looked like the plunger was ever adjusted. The knife is fairly sharp and in great shape.
After seeing the plunger and how it's adjusted, I think I can get this plunger squared-up, knife adjusted and be good to go sooner than later.
Bill
