IH 241 round baler

Does it have belts or chains?

For under $2000, is this a usable entry-level baler, or is it likely to be junk?

How old might it be?

Could I run it with my Farmall M? Would it be any worse than using the M with a small square baler, kicker, and wagon?

How big a bale will it make? Can I handle them with a MF 175 and loader?

Any suggestions about managing rounds for cheap horse hay in a wet climate (Vermont)? I already know they can't be left out in the weather, and I hope to build an addition to my pole barn in the spring anyway. I am always a little short of storage. Too many of my customers want their hay delivered in drips and dabs all winter, and it would be just as easy in many cases to dump a round or two directly into their pasture every once in a while. With some people I already make almost as much on delivery as I do on the hay.

Or is it all just a dumb idea, and would I be better off spending the money upgrading my small squares operation? Over the past years, I have lost a small part of my market to round bales, and am trying to cover all my bases. It would also be the only round baler in the local area, and I might be able to hire out with it occasionally .

Look for a better baler.

You can get a Vermeer F series baler for $2000 or less. Anything with an 'open throat' design will be a much better baler.

The 241 is worth less than $500, even where old round balers are worth something.

--->Paul

Do a search and you can get a complete rundown of this baler's faults.

Generally, comments seem to be that it is a very old baler, and does not make nearly as good bales as newer ones. As I recall from seeing them, they have a large flat belt in the bottom which is expensive to replace. The price sounds way too high for any baler that old. IMO none of the makers got round balers perfected until the late 1980s so I would look for one no older than that.
Hope this helps.

KEH