New Holland Square Baler Which one would you buy?

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I have the chance to buy one of the following balers all New Holland. 276,278 and a 315

All are in about the same shape for the same price n supposed to be ready to bale. Which one would you suggest for available parts etc. I don't put up many squares these days and my old baler has finally died. Thanks in advance.
 
Parts are readily available for all of them. NH has good parts service for all the old machines. 315 is the newest. 276/278 are equal age.278 is the highest capacity. All are good machines. So, if all things are equal,just close your eyes and point.......
 
Ok thanks, I knew the 315 was newer but was just guessing it was higher capacity than the 278. The 276 did look like it was a smaller baler with a smaller pick up.

We had a 270 years ago and best I remember it was a great baler. Been running a MF 126. (got for a song about 10 yr ago) It makes great bales but parts are tough to get and very expensive if you find them.

Thanks again.
 
there all good the newer ones and improved alittle and not as wore out look for a grove in twine nedles and how thick the bale chamber is that will tell u how much it has been used
 
NH was pretty good about not changeing parts.Needles,knotters, other parts were the same for all the small (14x18) chamber machines for 30/40 years.The big chamber was also similar from the 78 clear up to the 425.
 
I have 2 working 276's and one parts machine, I like them, I can not remember who said it, but I think there have been people who had major issues with the tongue on the 315, or maybe it was another 300 series machine, someone here will likely know. I have liked my 276's.
 
Not the 278. It is the largest of the 3 balers, and the high capacity feeder can cause trouble once its worn. 276 and 315 are both good balers, middle of the lineup for their times.
Josh
 
I'll probably get beat up for this. But, is there even a remote possibility of getting a inline? I've done battle with a old NH 269 for two years now, and finally bought a used Hesston 4550. The part about parts being plentiful relatively cheap for the New Hollands is true. I'm sure I'll be paying way more for parts for the Hesston, but from what I've read it'll produce solid bales. I just had go with a little newer baler this time around. bjr
 
I would not mind having an inline. I just don't put up that many squares anymore and just looking for a cheap reliable baler. These 3 are right down the road from my house so be easy to get one home also. Hard to get folks to bale when you want it done some times.

Thanks for all the responses.
 
276, with out a doubt! A friend has a 278 AND a 310, and the 310 is engine drive, what a pile... It beds toungs as fast as you can stick them on, so we had to build a tounge on the front of that thing like a tank! The 278 seems to work pretty good when it feels like it, but HIS neighbor has a 276, and it runs circles around him and that 278/310....
 
315 Take capacity every time when it comes to a baler if you have the horse to run it. These are good heavy balers. Had one, it made great bales, ran it with a super 88 in a pinch once and it handled it fine. What size tractor are you using? Kicker?
 
Sorry, I did not realize the 278 was the biggest baler, I just assumed the 315 was bigger. That does no change my answer though.
 
I kinda doubt they are all in the same shape but I guess it's possible. I would be taking a real good look at things like plunger bearings and packing assembly bearings if you haven't already. As was already mentioned parts availability is second to none with all those machines provided you have a competent local dealer. What are you going to run the baler with? Might want to go with a smaller machine if you are using something in the 40-45 hp range.
 
Take my comments with a grain of salt as I'm far from an expert, but....

I can't say I've read anything bad about the inline balers. They sound like a terrific baler to me and were I to buy a new one, I'd seriously consider an inline.

With regard to any baler, one thing I look for is internet experience/help. I usually have bad luck with dealers and were it not for the help I get on forums like this, I'd probably live in a condo and play video games instead of busting knuckles on old iron.

IMHO if the 276 is in great/good shape, that would be my first choice. I think New Holland must have made a ton of these as I seem them for sale and lots of internet posts regarding them. Given it's an older baler, perhaps you can get the price lowered.

On the flip side, with older stuff comes a trade off in potential reliability. Hard to remove rusty screws and bolts are a given. As good of shape as my New Holland 68 is, it is a forgone conclusion that if I remove something, a new bolt will replace it.

But - you can get a 50 year old baler or a 30 year old baler or newer and if the old iron is in reasonable condition and the price is lower, then after you spend several $$’s, you may have a good baler that is FIXED for the same price as a newer baler that might still need $$’s like the old one. That's the path I'm taking with my NH68.

Good luck,
Bill
 
I have a 275 Once I got it tuned up I have baled about 8000 bales with it and it has missed about 40. Mostly from twine bale switch or eating and antler or tree branch.
 
I have used a 276 for the last 10 years. Bale about 3000 to 5000 per year. It is a very solid reliable machine. Big volume if you want to push it...I don't. Fairly heavy. Makes a standard sized bale. Good parts availability.

after owning newer versions 300series, said the 276 was the most reliable.....and obviously cheaper to buy.
 
I am going to look at them again but I think it is between the 276 and the 315. Sorry to be kind of vague in the first post but I was trying to prevent writing a novel and when it comes to balers there are numerous things to check. The 276 appears to be in better shape as it looks like it was kept in a barn but has a large amount of wear the 315 does not in some areas. How ever the 315 has a large amount of new parts like 2 new needles and appears to have been abused some or had the dog worked out of it. Almost all of the paint is gone also but I know that does not affect how it bales but may have other hidden flaws. Going to take a friend of mine with me also but he has only used Deere balers and did not know any history on the New Holland. Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes.
 

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