MF Ford Baler Questions

My question is - how well are the MF's vs Fords in terms of part availability and overall reliability.

I guess in my pecking order for used balers from what I have read, I am finding the following:

New Holland = best & most expensive
John Deere = best & most expensive

Then come the baler that due to $$ I have an interest in:

Ford = average & affordable
MF = average and somewhat less $$ than Ford

Lastly, the balers to avoid:
IH and all others.

These are just some questions and observations I have made. My opinion - not intended to offend with my list.

Any advise and comment would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Bill

Jerry D's description of the knotter system is accurate. I also have a Ford 542 but have yet to put a single bale through it....only money! But not much money. I got it for free and am into it about $150. I'm hung up waiting for a roundtuit so I can finish the repairs that I am aware of that need done. Maybe by the end of summer I can give you a side by side comparison of the two.

MF 124's like mine usually sell at auction around here for about $400-$800. I've used mine about 4 years now and other than the broken bill hook have had no major problems.

Feeding systems: I have experience with 3 styles auger (JD and Old Fords), fingers (NH) and forks (Ford 530). Augers seem to work fine, is a wear point because it is only supported on one end. Fingers are up in the air. Probably work fine but they are bad to wear down. Just neede to keep an eye on that adjustment. Forks on the Fords are great if you ignore the picture in the manual and time them 180 degrees out of phase. They will move some hay in a hurry.

There is some information for you to ponder. I personally would go for the Ford as parts seem to be as available as most of the NH older balers and priced about the same. A second parts baler can probably be had for a cheap price if you keep your eyes open as well.

Look at how worn out the options are. A worn out baler is worn out and may not be the best buy. No matter the price.

But then again, I am one of the founding members of the FBBA and a bit biased

Thanks much for the reply. I kind of like those Ford balers too. The two in my neck of the woods I saw were a 530 for $500 that was sold in a snap and a 520 that looked like it was in good shape, but for $950. It was a small baler, but I think the price was high.

Also, maybe you can straighten me out on this. I seem to have read or heard that New Holland was going to stop supplying parts for pre-'62 balers. Anything to this? I think that the 520 was made along about that time.

With the small fields we have around here, the 520 would have fit the bill - but between age, support and price, I passed.

It sounds like you can really jam the hay into the Ford baler and "make hay" time wise so to speak.

I've got my eyes pealed for a 520. I think they were made up to '81.

Thanks again for all the info!
Bill

Bill