346 JD baler

Mtractor

Member
I have a 346 JD wire type baler I got on trade and I know nothing about these. What's it worth? Overall it's in good shape just looking there is some rusted out spots. Will I hurt it if I hook my tractor to it and turn it over with nothing in ? Tires are in good condition. Runs on 540 PTO. I have greased and oiled all the chains. I am planning on selling it. Thanks
 
Good baler but not many want a wire baler anymore. Last I looked wire was about $70/box. Two needed to start to bale. Holds four. That starts to add up.
 
No it won't hurt to run it with no hay in it, we ran one like it for about 5 years back in the 80's, in some ways the wire is less troublesome than the twine knotter, we always poured about a half a cup of oil into the lower portion of the wire box after we set it into the box, that give a little lube on the wire as it fed through the system, and I think it reduced the wear on the slides and holders.
 

Mtractor
Location has a lot to do with value.Do here in Texas there are more wire than twine balers but that is slowly changing. I think a good 346 wire baler down here should bring $2000- $3000. I have a nice 2nd owner 347 wire,hyd cylinder on tongue baler that hasn't baled a lot of hay that I'd take $4500 for it.
 
I second Tim's suggestion on the oil. Any time my 336W starts missing the tie, I pour a little oil or diesel in the box on the wire and it usually will start working fine again. Wire tie balers are fairly trouble free if things are kept in good condition. I would hate to deal with twine, but I know the guys that have them and understand them get along fine. Bob
 
Hey Jim, would you say the difference between a 336 and a 346 would be the capacity, or are there more differences? Thanks - Bob
 
The only difference between a 336 and a 346 is that the 346 has a wider pick up and a flywheel that is 65 pounds heavier. They both have the same amount of strokes per minute, which is 80.

The 347's and 348's have the 93 strokes per minute and the heavier flywheel.
 
The 346 makes the same size bales as the 336. Your thinking of the 467 and 468 commercial baler.

I was not aware that the 346 had 6 hay dogs instead of 3 hay dogs, I guess I learned something new today.

I don't think all of the 346's had the side compressors. I think there was a serial number break where they added them. Then again the parts book on jdparts.com only shows the current bale case which has them for all models.
 

Hay maker2
I suppose I had forgotten BUT I think you're correct in the fact that the 1st 346 didn't have side restrictor doors. Take note of key 1 & key 15A or 15B. I'm fairly positive 346 had 6 hay dogs & 336 only 3 hay dogs. I agree 346 flywheel weighs more than 336 but JD parts spec's list the opposite @ 336 weight shown as 294.91#s vs 346 weight shown as 263.94#s

45644.jpg
 
Yup, there was a serial number break, good catch on the side compressor doors to determine that. I have attached a page from the technical manual that shows the flywheel weight and strokes per minutes.
45648.jpg
 

Actually you mentioned you thought early 346 didn't have side doors & I just checked to determine you were correct so it's a good catch for you not me. :wink:
 
Evidently the increased strokes per minute came from Dad and too much throttle in the tractor ;^)
 

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