44 JD A vs JD 224T baler ???

Just picked up a JD 224T baler from the scrap yard. Looks good. Even better sitting in my yard then the scrap yard !!! Needs to be greased. I like the hand pump greaser too thats on the side. The grease tubes are rotted bad. They'll get replaced at a later date. Anyways, I want to bale some grass. Then after wheat harvest bale some straw. What gear would you guys use in this situation? I was thinking Second. Am I right? Any pointers would be great. It has two new bales of twine in the twine box but there's four places to put twine in. Do I thread all four ? Or just use two ? Then, have two spares? Thanks.

I like your optimism! If the grease tubes are rotted bad, I think I'd get me a manual and go through that thing with a fine tooth comb, or you may be talkin to yerself a lot when you try to bale with it!
The speed you travel will vary with the product you are baling and the density of the windrows and the moisture content of the material being baled. 2nd would probably be a good choice for straw and medium windrows.
Good luck with your "find."

A Manual is on its way !!!!

you thread 2 and then hook the beginning of the next two to the end of the first two.

It's all going to come down to windrow size.My son tried baling straw with his '47A and New holland 315 baler but his ground speed was a little too fast in first.This was in 25 or more foot windrows of 90 bushel wheat straw cut low.He probably would have been fine with a smaller swath.

I think you will find that first is a little to fast at times. All depends on the windrow. Jim

I believe you will be in 1st gear on that 1944 model A. Now if it was a late model A then it would likely be 2nd gear. Somewhere around 2.2 to 2.5 mph is a good starting point for older lower capacity balers on travel speed.

Regardless, you better rake your windrows to the appropriate size windrows to work with whatever gear you choose. You do not have live power so clutching is not an option. Really your only option is to pull out of the windrow when things start to plug at the baler. Some tractors you can knock em outa gear but not sure that is very easy to do on a JD gated shifter system.

FWIW: I bale without live PTO (Kubota L285 or Farmall h) and its not that big a deal at all as long as the windrows are sized accordingly. Put an idiot on the rake though and you in for a long day of frustration. Forget using them gigantic rakes. You need a more traditional sized rake so you can literally make the windrow the exact the size you want. Some areas of the field that will be simply 1 rake swath, other areas might be 1.5 swaths, and some might even be 2 swaths merged together. If in doubt always error on too small. I also have a 1950 JD model A but have not used it on the baler yet....

I have a 336 baler and have used it in the past to bale hay and straw with. First it is almost not enough horsepower if you have a decent windrow so be prepared to work the clutch a lot or you will plug the intake. 1st gear is almost too fast and if the windrow is very full the baler will start to plow it faster than it can take it in.
It can be done but be prepared to be an operator not just open the clutch and go.

Forgot to say that was with a 1940 A. Usually use the baler with a 70 or an 806IH

If the grease tubes are bad consider removing them and installing fittings to make sure all parts are getting grease.You will more than likey be in low gear baling.

Tom. I am going to install fittings ASAP. Haven't had time to mess with the new to me baler. Trying to get the combine ready for wheat harvest. I'm thinking is going to be around the twentieth of July maybe twenty fifth!!!! Not too far away tho. Sometime between now and then I will back the JD A up to the 224 and see what she'll do for me. The plunger is hanging up from the dirt that's in the bale chamber but I don't think that's going to be a problem with the pto going. Going to grease it, lube the chains with some used oil, thread twine and go see what'll do... Pictures coming soon !!!!

I hope all the plungerhead brgs roll good for you.
5-AE30220 Cam Follower ADD 62.39 USD 311.95 USD

Be sure the plungerhead stop is operating correctly and not stuck.

Jim . I hope everything will work as it should after the tlc that ill
give it before I take it to the field. Operators Manual is in the
mail box now. Will check out the plunger head stop too.
Thanks.