68 NH Baler needles shear pin

First sytoms was both twine needles were snapped in half at mid point and did in the shear pin. Checked the bails ( still in it ) and couldnt find anything to cause it. Thought maybe it was out of time.... but the break was clean and no impact marks.

So I got those fixed but now the shear pins keep breaking... and the twine needles wont engage.

Any suggestion on what it could be greatly appreciated.

I had similar problems with my 68. After I investigated I noticed that the knotter shaft was bent and wore out to the point that the clutch would actually disengauge itself after the plunger passed the safety mechanism. End result broken needles and sheared bolts.

Turn the flywheel by hand (you may need a cheater bar) a couple times and trip the knotter assembly. Do the knotters run their entire course or do they stop about 3/4 of the way through the operation.

Let us know what you find.

Andy

But - that _is_ a timing problem! The needles were in the way of the plunger.... If the marks are lining up, then something else is slipped or broken along the needle driving parts.

Since your needles aren't moving at all now, follow the drivetrain from the needle yoke all the way back to the pto - somewhere, something is not connected. This may have come loose at a really bad time, & left your needles sitting in the middle of the bale, as your plunger did it's thing?

The arm driving the needle yoke can take quite a bit of abuse when the needles snap - check that too for extra bends or stretch.

--->Paul