Ford 532 baler

ratskinner · Feb 27, 2011

I am looking at replacing my 68 NH baler with a 532 ford baler.I was just wondering if it is a good baler does it make good bales and is it reliable?

Ron-MO · Feb 27, 2011

I've had a 532 for a few years now. It has been a good reliable baler so far. Many find them hard to get parts for, and parts to be pricey. So far I have not have any problems finding parts, but all I have needed were pickup teeth, and some wear parts. If I were going to bale a lot of bales each year I would look for a New Holland. But if the baler has been well cared for, and you do not plan on doing many you can likely buy it cheaper than the NH.

RodinNS · Feb 27, 2011

They were a decent baler for their day which is now quite a long time ago. It runs faster than the 68 so it should have a touch more capacity but otherwise it'll be much the same aside from the feeding mechanism.
Many parts other than the common wear items are NLA and some of what is available is quite expensive. I still run one and have it mostly rebuilt so I continue to run it... but if I was looking to upgrade I'd be looking for something else. An inline Hesston/CaseIH would be high on my list as would the more modern NewHollands. I just don't see changing to something of virtually the same technology and not getting a fine tooth pickup unless the 68 you have is completly shot...

Rod

ratskinner · Feb 28, 2011

I have been working on my 68 for yrs for it makes the bale odd size one side of the bale was a tight string and the other side has a lose string and I have replaced alot of parts and retimed it a 100 diffrent ways and still no good result. I thougt i had it beat .good looking bales in the loft .but now one side is losse as a gosse.I am just about ready to give up on it.

Doug Wi · Feb 28, 2011

On the 68, did you add any tines to the feed assembly? We used a 68 for many years. Baled like yours does. Someone told me to add another set of tines to the feed assembly. Made a world of difference. Not as good as my current 310 does,but very acceptable. Sold it to a neighbor hobby farmer.Still makes a decent bale.

BobH in NH · Feb 28, 2011

The 532 is a good, relatively fast and reliable baler, if it is in good condition and properly adjusted. But since it is an "orphan" (It was built for Ford by Long Mfg in NC), parts are relatively unavailable and expensive. Examples: The rubber mounted single pickup teeth (optional design) are over $16 each from CNH. My baler has 72 rubber mounted teeth. They're in the $2.50 - $3.00 each range from Shoup. In 2008, Slip Clutch Discs for pto were $43 each, 2 required; For the flywheel $45 each, 2 required. Long v-belt for the pickup was $65 and change, but around $5-6 from a local power transmission/bearing house.

Also to make good, straight, square bales you have to keep the baler and pick-up loaded with hay and the baler up to speed (90 strokes/minute). It does not like undersized windrows and easily makes banana bales.

Unless this was a popular baler in your area, I would go with something more common. like a Deere 300-series or a NH 273, NH 275, or newer 300 or 400 series.

Ford 532 baler

ratskinner

Member

Ron-MO

Member

RodinNS

Well-known Member

ratskinner

Member

Doug Wi

Member

BobH in NH

Member

Similar threads