Baler Clunking

My worn-out old John Deere 214 w/s baler is putting out good, heavy, tightly wire-tied bales. It hasn't missed a one in over 150 tries this spring, nor has it broken a shear bolt (yeah my fingers are crossed). BUT, it sounds like it is really crashing/crunching hard at the end of the compression stroke (when fully compressed). Do I need new pitman bearing inserts? Are there other likely problems of the loud noise? Thanks, kelly
 
Could be pitman brg inserts or bushing(parts key 1) at plunger head or possible pin wear. Also 214 had 2 different style plunger head suspensions(wear pads or roller brg) that could be loose. Is plunger head safety stop adjusted correctly & not clipping PH?
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I replaced the plunger pitman bushings on my New Holland 68 baler and was amazed at how much tighter the plunger to pitman connection was compared before/after. I had to use a press to get the new bushings in place. Big difference in sound now (coupled with new plunger slide bearings) as the baler is fairly quiet now.
 
Jim,

What are the chances that he can detect that by grasping the arm at each end and see if there is enough slack to feel?

What if he does or he doesn't but the inserts are in fact worn but he keeps it well greased......a 214 obviously has been there done
that over the years and the rest of it are wearing/worn out too.

It's doing it's job for him and as you well know surely, if you don't tear into something that you may not need to, especially
considering the age and all, then maybe it's best to leave her be and keep her greased. On that type of a problem I surely would.

What-cha think?

Mark
 
Mark
Amount of looseness in PH pitman arm bushings can be determined by rocking flywheel back & forth and observing how much flywheel turns before PH moves in bale chamber. The bush(parts key 1) & pin are difficult to view with PH still in baler.
 
Thanks to all. TXJIM, I've told you before how much I appreciate the schematics you send! I'll check that end of the plunger head. I'd assumed it was the other end -- the one with the replaceable bearings. By the way, mine has the roller bearings and NOT the slides. kelly in tx P.S. I've read my book (I have an original one that came with the baler when it was new) and I believe it is timed correctly and the plunger head is NOT hitting the stop. I may end up doing as Mark suggests, keeping her well greased and using it. kelly
 
You want to very carefully inspect the crank journal bushing or bearing (which ever one it has) as well as the wrist pin and bushing at the plunger head. One or both of them are probably buggered...

Rod
 
I've purchased from these guys...good folks. Be patient when getting in touch with them. I think he's got a day job and his wife takes the orders.

Much more reasonable than from Deere, plus helping out the 'little guy'.

Tyler in IL
Baler Parts Supplier in NY
 
Kelly, just went thru this on a 337. Thought it was the safety latch but turned out to be the knife on the plunger was making contact with the stationary knife on the return stroke. adjusted the plunger and shimmed the plunger on the front side. All quiet now. Hth.
 
The parts guy you mentioned is apparently doing well by people , he's neighbors to my sister . She occasionally takes calls for him and my nephew works for him once in a while.
 
Smart consideration! Reasons I said grease her up and use her are 3:

You are dealing with what you said, a worn out baler meaning what's next to fail and render the unit inop. due to lack of parts.

Second it IS functioning for you as it is and you don't have to worry about.....well when I tear into it what's going to be the gotcha that puts me in the ditch on finishing the repair.

Third, look at what you are talking about......some "heavy metal" and no precision requirements. So it bangs a little, so what. Now if you had a BALL bearing and a ball fell out or got jammed, that's one thing. But remembering mine you aren't.
 

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