Bending Baler needles 14t

RC Brooks

Member
Anyone have tips for bending baler needles for a 14t? I tried bending them still on the frame, but now I'm thinking I'm going to have to make a form of some fashion and take them off. Apparently the bale stop fell out of adjustment and bent the needles. I've heard of people bending them back, but I've only been able to move them slightly. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Yeah, that's my delima. I think I can use the needle guard to get the general shape. So I assume you oriented it curved side up and then pressed it "down" to straighten it out?
 
I take them off and clamp them in the vise to straighten then. Having a new one or undamaged spare to use as a pattern is a great help.

Also, I have seen needles that had been heated to make them easy to bend.

NOT sure if that's a good idea or not, as I've never done it myself.

Check ALL chains that affect plunger-to-knotter timing, replace any that show any noticeable wear, adjust them correctly, set the timing correctly and repair/lubricate/adjust the plungerhead safety stop.

Also, a big cause of bending needles is a worn-out or mis-adjusted "needle brake" that allows the needs to move at the worst possible time when you hit a bump or hole with the baler.
 
If I remember right I still have a set of unbent/unbroken needles I got for my 14T and put them on just to find out the knotters also got broken when the plunder safety stop did not do it job
 
I bent one back to the proper shape by putting it in the rear wheel of a John Deere B and pushing on it, used the other none bent needle as a pattern, JD needles are malable
 
(quoted from post at 21:47:48 06/26/16) It was a spring on the trip dog, allowed it to keep cycling. My fault for not adjusting the stop.

PH stop not functioning is the actual cause for needle bending. I've seen where JD balers tying system cycle with every PH stroke without bending needles.
 
I suggest that you have a spare needle (or an accurate pattern made from one) to use as a guide to straighten bent needles. It is highly likely that you will need to straighten needles again, especially with a 14T.

We always straightened our bent needles with a hydraulic press - but you still have to adjust the needles to strike the knotters right when you put the needles back on the brackets.
 
Are you sure there bent the reason I ask is I thought mine was bent but by adjustment on the bolts I got it right. Basically I tighten one bolt and loosened the other it worked fine after
 
(quoted from post at 13:04:44 06/28/16) Are you sure there bent the reason I ask is I thought mine was bent but by adjustment on the bolts I got it right. Basically I tighten one bolt and loosened the other it worked fine after

Interesting. I will look. It didn't bend the needles terribly, they are about 2 inches off. Fortunately the knotters made it through unscathed.

I do wish I had a template though. Does anyone have a good one they could lay down and get a good photo dead on? I've got a poster printer that I could print it out on. It might get me close anyhow.
 
Check you tube some good videos on there.
Google 14 t needle and hit images
sometimes you get lucky and see the
pictures you need.
2 inches off you were lucky if it was me I
would be heading for the scrap yard.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top