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NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best?

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Rick D

03-01-2003 17:11:01

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I have found a NH 273 baler for $1400 and a NH 311 for $2400. Both seem to be in pretty good condition with good paint and little visual wear. I will only be baling 1000-1500 bales per year. Which baler seems to be the best deal? What should I look for in these as far as wear? What is good and bad about each of these.

Thanks for your advise.
Rick

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rem

03-02-2003 14:46:59

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

I owned a 273 for years. Best baler I've ever owned/used. I'd buy it.

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Okla/Kans Bill

03-02-2003 14:27:28

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

Turn the flywheel. There should be no give, no slop in movinb it before the plunger mech works. If so you got bearing problems ahead in the plungr mech. Try all things that move, ie, needles, ect try them for slop. Look at the wheels,are they perfectly in lind? Shove the bailer from side to side. Does it rock? My dad had a NH Bailer back in the 60s. It was a light bailer with a wadboard that got me once as the protective shield was off. The bearings on the wheels was gone, and she kinda sashyed down the field asa she went, and one knotter never did work, so I had to always wal besides the bale chamber and tie one side. Also, if one has an engine, and you dont have lve pto. you want the engine. I have one on my case 140 W, and I wouldnt trade it for a new pto bailer as I pull it with an F-30 Farmall 1937

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Steve from New Holland

03-02-2003 09:33:04

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

Gosh Rick, you have been given alot of great answers and opinions. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I will clear things up for you any better. I have made a career of New Holland hay equipment, and to be honest with you, I have really liked both balers. Other guys here have brought up the key questions such as age,condition,amount of bales per year,etc. Rick, is money an object? If so, and assuming that the 273 is as nice as you have stated, I would opt for that one. Yes, it is older and quite a bit slower, but it was dependable. If money is not an object, then step right up to the 311. TERIFFIC BALER!! Good luck with your choice, Steve

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TP from Central PA

03-02-2003 09:10:06

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

I would go with the 311..... ...Neighbors have one and I used it some..... ...It would work circles around our 269 or the 273's I seen at work.

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Frank

03-02-2003 08:54:51

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

According to my NH catalog order form, the 273 was made from 1968-77 while the 311 production run was 1981-88. Note that:
1. the 273 is older.
2. the 311 will have more capacity.
3. the three most important things here are
A. Condition B. Condition C. Condition

For further info on these models, see comments by Steve from NH (January 17 2002) on these balers.

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Frank

03-02-2003 08:49:48

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

For further info on these models, see comments by Steve from NH (January 17 2002) on these balers.

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RickB.

03-02-2003 03:48:53

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

The best choice here is not by model, but the relative condition of the two. If you are unsure of what to look for, find a local baler mechanic or informed baler operator to help evaluate both. As stated, the best value may not be the cheapest, nor is the most expensive always the best. A good 311 or 273 will do nicely for you, a poor one will drive you nuts.

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Hugh MacKay

03-02-2003 01:02:51

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

Having gone to a round baler in 1975, I am a bit out of touch on these. My last square baler was an S69. New Holland in my opinion is good choise in square balers. I would try hooking up a tractor, run them slowly, listen for unusual noise, put it through tieing function. Run it up to pto speed for 5 min. Shut down and imediately check for warm or hot bearings, gear boxes, etc. You are looking at 2 historically good balers. One is almost double the price of the other and you want the better deal. May not be the cheaper one.

Five items to watch.
1 Pickup, make sure it runs smooth, no catching.
2 Feeder, Chain, forks and gear boxes.
3 Knotters and needles, pull twine in chamber back , secure it and trip baler knotters forceing it to tie a loop for you.
4 Plunger, check for wear, knife and shear bar.
5 PTO shaft and wheels.

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FM..

03-01-2003 20:45:58

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

I was told that the 273 is a little better, and has a bit more capacity due to more strokes of the plunger per minute. More strokes=more bales.

Mike

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Barry

03-01-2003 18:13:25

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

273 should be just fine for you, we've made ALOT of hay with ours, good solid peice of equip. Just make sure when you are done with your baling, to put a thin coating of grease on the knotters, so they don't get rust on them.

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Kermit in SW MO

03-01-2003 18:10:52

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Re: NH 273 311 Square Balers. Which is best? in reply to Rick D, 03-01-2003 17:11:01

I owned an NH 273 for many years. I no longer own it, but sold it to a friend who still uses it each year. I went to all big round bales. My 273 was a very reliable machine. I was happy with it.

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