vermeer 554xl round baler

jhwis · May 17, 2023

Any comments on these balers? Looking at an 2001 model...supposedly kept up well.

Erik Ks farmer · May 17, 2023

Run far and fast. I had a 504F which was a good machine so I went to a 554 XL, had a lot of trouble starting a bale, the twine arms were junk and the net wrap was also problematic. I know of another guy who also had a lot of trouble with his XL who later went to a 504N and was happy with it.

MJMJ · May 17, 2023

Probably the first negative comment I ve seen on the XL. They of course aren t comparable to some higher end balers, but they re typically solid reliable machines. I think some do have a newer pick up design. But if I m not mistaken, the original XL had the I series pick up. My older SI baler doesn t know the meaning of "won t start a bale". It will eat anything I can run the tractor over. As with most any baler, having good teeth is paramount for starting a bale. Of course a lot depends on your plans for it. 200 bales per year or 25000 balers per year. Dry or wet hay. Ect

Doug Wi · May 17, 2023

I bought one new about that time [2001]. twine only. ran it for many years with nearly zero problems. i have heard that the net wrap system was toublesom. Only traded cause I wanted to go to net wrap. you will like the 5 1/2' bale size. Advertising claimed it had 17% more hay than the 5'. As already mentioned, the pickup teeth may need to be changed. They may look ok but can lose their resiliance and can cause plugging.

vermeer 554xl round baler

jhwis

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Erik Ks farmer

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MJMJ

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Doug Wi

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