What would cause only one needle to bend? Twice last summer I had instances where the needles were in the chamber and only the needle closest to the feeder bent. Once after going down the road the carriage brake allowed the needles to gradually slip into the bale chamber and it was bent over sideways when I started to engage the PTO. The other happened with I was running it as full as I could and the wire tangled when it started a fresh spool and the carriage snapped a shear pin leaving the needles in the chamber. It bent the needle sideways again - only much worse. The plunger did not make impact either time as the stop worked as it should.
I had 4 extra needles at the beginning of last year, one of the bent ones has been straightened (so now I have 3) but the other is completely sprung and its a waste of time to try. Local "baler guy" has no idea how the needles are being taken out and I don't either. The feeder fork can not strike the needle (physically can't touch it). While I have needles are on hand it kills me to know that they are over $400 each (wire tie baler) - if you can find one (Parts search indicates only one at a dealer in Colorado in the entire US).
I had 4 extra needles at the beginning of last year, one of the bent ones has been straightened (so now I have 3) but the other is completely sprung and its a waste of time to try. Local "baler guy" has no idea how the needles are being taken out and I don't either. The feeder fork can not strike the needle (physically can't touch it). While I have needles are on hand it kills me to know that they are over $400 each (wire tie baler) - if you can find one (Parts search indicates only one at a dealer in Colorado in the entire US).