What I learned after 3 days of baling with my 68

First, it's hard to make a nice, light bale. It was just me. my wife and a hired hand, so I wanted to keep 'em light. Well, you can make em smaller, but your asking for trouble if you ease up on the hay dogs. I've never seen so many mishapen bales. The only upside is that now I have a big pile of loose hay, so I'll use the thrower to get them to the top of the pile.

Take the time to check all chain tension each and every time you use the machine. I've gotten to be an expert at timing the knotters. Far more expert than I ever wanted to be, believe me. Not a gratifying experience in the field with a chamber full of hay.

And keep an eye on that twine going through the top of the baler, cause the second you lose focus, for sure a line will break and you'll throw half a dozen busted bales.

That 68 sure likes big ol' windrows, too. Best bales I got were when I was feeding as much mixed grass down that steel maw as I could. Seemed the harder she worked, the better she liked it.

But best of all, with this one cutting the haybine and baler have paid for themselves, and I've learned a ton in the bargain.

That's the one up rear top of the chute that trips the knotters.

You are right about the large windrows. Some times when a new feller is having tie or feed troubles with a NH it is caused by too small of a windrow.

I guess you have to edit as you go, my back button doesn't let me edit my draft.
You guys know what I meant.