Hesston 540 baler

Bansheetaz

New User
Howdy all. Recently became an owner of said round baler. It hasa problem where the hydraulic tension does not release when the gate is opened. This results in broken upper tensioner arms. I am wondering if anyone has installed a pressure gauge on the tensioner hydro circuit and where is the best spot to do so. Also where a good place to get a manual either owners or service would be great. It's in great shape otherwise. When I got it home I found both hydraulic adjustment knob where tightened all the way. I could use some guidance on what each knob does and where I should have them set. Thanks for any help provided.. Troy
 
What hydraulic adjustment knobs are you referring to? Does it happen to have a hydraulic threader or is it electric? I worked on one two years ago, am trying to visualize the hyd. set up on the right side of baler. His was letting the belts get too loose after dumping bale when closing the gate. Am trying to remember what relieved pressure when the gate got full open.

Garry
 
There is a pressure test port on a tee fitting where the hydraulic lines are on the right side of the baler. It has a cap on it and I think it is a #4 or #6 JIC male fitting. I had a line made up and had my own 3000 psi gauge to put on it.

There is a knob on the right front side of the baler that is used to release hydraulic tension/pressure on the belts when you are through with the baler for the day. It can be loosened to let off pressure and then closed right back up and no pressure will build back up until the hyd remote valve is moved in order to build pressure and tighten belts for the next time you bale. It can be left open also, you just have to remember to tighten/close it the next time you use the baler.

There is not a variable bale tension adjustment on a 540. What I cannot remember is what trips to release the tension as the tailgate is raised. There are two tailgate cylinders and four bale tension cylinders. To put the initial tension on the belts and cylinders, you hold the remote lever for just a second or two after the tailgate locks closed and let the hydraulics bump into 'bypass'. This tensions the belts and charges the tension cylinders with pressure. The baler hydraulics has its own bypass valve also that is set from the factory to allow only the pressure that the baler is designed to use.

I was going to copy the manual of the one I worked on, but did not get it done. I am going to look online for a hydraulic schematic.

Garry
 
Thanks for the help.. The 2 knobs are on the valve block on the
right side of the machine. The outer one is hexagonal and the
inner one im assuming was a knob but has since broken off. Im
guessing the problem is in the valve block itself. I will
download the manual that you mentioned. I appreciate the
link. Ill let you know what i find. Once the weather warms
enough so i canwork on it
 
(quoted from post at 20:27:14 02/16/18) Also, go to agcopubs.com and you can download a manual for the 540 for around $20.

Ok would there be a hydraulic schematic available anywhere? I ordered a manual. I hope that's in there
 
I took the valve apart and cleaned some crud out of it. The lift arms work better but it still doesn't seems like the tensioner is working right. Although I did have the belts undone. Im not sure it's plumbed correctly.
 

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