NH 311 Baler, cracked/broken knotter.

I was cleaning out the knotters today to grease before baling and saw that one of them has multiple cracks going through it. I had hay raked and no choice so figured I would start baling and see what happened. Made 441 without missing a knot. Which is great because otherwise I would have lost the hay. But where do I go from here? I have spent days replacing parts and making adjustment before to prevent missed knots and it never missed looking like this. Go figure. Should I pull the knotter and have it braised? Welded? Looks like a new one is $1300 and used is $500. This is the 4th breakdown in 2 bale days and seems like age might be catching up. I want to have faith in it but if I can't trust it its no good to me.

Also, guesses on what happened? I'll trip the knotters and check the needles against the book. Maybe the needle kissed the knotter a little too hard.
mvphoto81765.jpg


mvphoto81766.jpg


mvphoto81767.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 19:16:09 09/13/21) Used parts should be plentiful as NH has used same knotter for 70 years and longer

Thanks. I looked more and a new one FULLY DRESSED is $1300. New one bare is $350. There are a few on ebay that are dressed for around $300. I think I will go that route and put a few of my newer parts on it. Found a decent write up for changing it out on Hay Talk. I'll make sure the adjustments and alignments are all in spec but if anyone has had this happen before and pinpointed how it happened, I'm all ears.
 

I would think you could pick up used knotter parts cheaper than that. Half of us on this forum have a parts baler or used too. Can't always tell from pictures but that damage doesn't look that old to me. So I am guessing that someone might of chopped their needles and when re-installing them did not turn the baler over by hand to check alignment? That is my guess on who this happened. Ya those cracks look pretty scary but I too would not want to trust things for too long. Thanks for posting pictures I wish more people would as it helps to conceptualize what people are talking about. Until you fix the problems any machine will give you fits, it is the nature of the beast. If you just baled 440 bales without a hitch I would say that baler is pretty sound. See some new parts on it already. Sometimes on older balers you just have to go through them and replace broken springs, check your timing, put on new chains and shim where necessary. Like sticking money into your old truck. Some times you just have to do it. Cost of learning and owning the equipment. Do understand the frustration and stress of getting hay in and having breakdowns with rain coming. I understand this stuff well. "That's farmin". Regards, John.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top