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farmer...Thanks for the info on getting at that knife...had a feeling that was the case, and for sure, if I pull it, I know I'll find more worn than I want to deal with. Last fall, we finally solved the problem of the gripper not holding the wire, so failed ties. Resistor plates were worn completely smooth. How many bales of wheat straw (that's what the guy used it for who gave it to me) do you need to run through a baler to wear those resistor "bumps" smooth! So, it's old and well used, and I know there's lots more worn than I want to deal with, so as long as it's working, I guess I just deal with whatever fails. Between 2nd and 3rd cuttings, I just replaced the pickup idler sprocket bushing. When I took the sprocket off - it was wobbling pretty badly - I found that the shaft had actually failed. It was slightly angled, and when I took it off, I found that the plate it is welded had started to bend and actually tear - 1" shaft welded into 1/8" steel! The baler worked, but once I put the new bushing in, no sense putting the sprocket back on that shaft. With the old bushing and shaft, there was a good 3/16" gap between the shaft and the pulley. JD no longer is able to get the shaft, so a kind friend with a great shop built me a new one. Installed and working great. How many other parts are badly worn but still working, I hope to never get a complete count! :) The guys who do restoration are probably choking at this as I guess I'm one who needs it to function, so any workaround that keeps it working is fair game, even if it isn't painted green! Afterall, what did they invent baling wire for if it isn't to use to hold old equipment together! :) Chuck, WA
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