New Holland S78 vs 281

Smallmouthlargebass · Aug 27, 2017

As previously posted I bought a s78 last year and have struggled to get it working correctly. Now considering buying a different baler and a 281 is available locally. It appears to be very similar. I am wondering if it would be worthwhile from a spare parts standpoint if many parts were compatible or if I would be better off with a different baler. Other options that seem to be available locally are 273 and 310. I am currently mowing 20 acres and baling. New to square baler and trying to get stared with reliable equipment.
Thanks

DeltaRed · Aug 28, 2017

S78 and 281 are both 'big chamber' balers. They share a lot of parts.Both are good older balers.I've owned several(78;282;383). So,yes if the other baler is good,buy it,or have some part commonality.BTW,if you don't have a book,buy one.The cheapest thing you can buy.

Graham of New Zealand · Aug 28, 2017

The main advantage of the 78 is a shorter bale chamber if you are operating on rough ground. Advantages of the 280 I had and the 281 my brother had are firstly the vastly difference of the plunger and knife set-up in both operation and adjustment. For adjustment you will NEED a 1 1/8" ring and open end spanner!Not stepped. They are poles apart. Also better pick up chain adjustment, higher quality steel shaft through knotter stack, ditto for RH side land wheel (one can twist and the other breaks) better jack/stand, extra coil on pick-up tines, longer bale chamber forms better bales especially if hay quality and feeding are variable. Almost all parts are interchangable, except plunger and kvife bits. Even the pick-up tines are so long as you use the same cast block that the mounting bolt goes through. (Unless one has the super sweep pick-up.) There are probably more but these come to my mind. Hope it is helpful they are great machines and reliable so long as you adjust and grease them.

Smallmouthlargebass · Aug 28, 2017

Thanks for the info. I will check into the condition of the 281 that is available. Seems like will be a solid machine to own. Wish I could get the s78 to cooperate but I have had no luck. Have had some people recommend a few things to check but still not fixed. Is it a big deal to have dealers look at equipment this old before buying a different one?

Thanks

Bill VA · Aug 28, 2017

For me - I'd look hard at the 273. Not a fast baler, but tons of them out there, IMHO one of the best balers NH ever made. Standard 14x18 bale size too. I think the 310 had a faster plunger stroke and there were feeder failures.

Smallmouthlargebass · Aug 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:19:21 08/27/17) S78 and 281 are both 'big chamber' balers. They share a lot of parts.Both are good older balers.I've owned several(78;282;383). So,yes if the other baler is good,buy it,or have some part commonality.BTW,if you don't have a book,buy one.The cheapest thing you can buy.

Thanks for all the advice. The seller of the 281 had offered to let me see it in the hay field baling today. We will see how it goes. What are some main check points to look over?

NHbalerman · Sep 2, 2017

What problems are you having with the 78 it was a very good baler in its day

New Holland S78 vs 281

Smallmouthlargebass

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DeltaRed

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Graham of New Zealand

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Smallmouthlargebass

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Bill VA

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Smallmouthlargebass

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NHbalerman

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