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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

What is the best NH square baler?

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Chick

08-23-2005 07:04:42

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Of the newer square balers with super sweep pick up reels (269 and newer), which ones make the best shaped bale, and has the least amount of problems? Thanks!

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TP from Central PA

08-24-2005 16:49:18

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

Out of all the NH balers I used(77, 269, 275, and 311) I"d have to say the 311 was the best as far as reliablity and capacity goes. The 275 comes in a very close second, but I didn"t like the 54A Thrower as much as the newer version on the 311.

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RickL

08-24-2005 06:32:57

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

In the early years of helping bale hay and baling our own I had stacked behin the red ones and the reen units. The green units made better bales and had a lot less trouble with banana bales,in my area that the new holland nickname. The packer fork is a very important item on a baler as far as I am concerned. i do have a New Holland unit now 570model with packer fork only way Iwould even consider it since I use a accumulator system. The next unit will be back to Deere thou as it still made more uniform bales in more varying conditions. The only drawback that we had with the Deere units in straw the auger feed was its limiting factor due to slickness,but it could be easily worked around by reducing speed of travel one gear slower. they will all work if correctly set,but the reds units just have alot more trouble getting hay to far side of chamber with out the packer fork. Why do you think they now put it on the latest units.

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 11:46:08

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 06:32:57

Hay ;') Rick

I have a 570 baler also. Are you having rainbowed bale trouble? My 570 made perfect bales from day one until it was about 2 yrs old. I couldn't figure out what was wrong till I got looking underneath at the hay dogs. Some had broken springs. When I replaced these springs it was like a new one again. I find I have the best luck with between 14-20 strokes per bale. Makes a very consistant bale length with this. Never used a JD baler newer than an old 24T so I cant compare.

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RickL

08-24-2005 15:15:40

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to onefarmer, 08-24-2005 11:46:08

No banana just length has trouble with getting closer thou, I have lengthen the chamber also. With the strokes you are talking about you must have pretty short bales since it is a 90stroke speed baler

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 18:47:38

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 15:15:40

Compared to the others I see at the hay auction, mine are average length. I could go out and measure one but it's dark now and I'm in for the night. I do use the best length for the NH bale wagon I pickup them up with NH 1010.

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RickL

08-25-2005 04:51:33

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to onefarmer, 08-24-2005 18:47:38

Thats fine its not that important cause as long as it works for you thats the main thing anyway. Just curious whats the bales bringing at the auction you mentioned. I am needing more product as getting callls about daily now wanting hay,but I am basically already sold out,trying to bale today but i see sprinkles coming down now,darn't it. It would have went this afternoon so it looks like ti will be rolled cattle hay which is still sold when it doe get baled.

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 11:44:22

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 06:32:57

Hay ;') Rick

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paul

08-24-2005 09:15:08

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 06:32:57

I run a NH 270 baler. I've watched or used it to bale 2000 - 6000 bales every year for the past 40 years or so. We bale alfalfa, ditch hay, garbage ditch hay, rye, wheat, oats straw, corntalks, corn husks from the sheller, and weeds. Pretty much anything you can get in a windrow.

I think I've seen about 6 banana bales come out of that machine in it's life.

What is the deal with them, why do people have so much trouble with that? I really never knew it was an issue until reading about it here and other forums.

No color war, nothing like that. I'm really curious, what is the deal with 'banana bales', what causes that? Why don't I have any?

--->Paul

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RickL

08-24-2005 15:12:06

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to paul, 08-24-2005 09:15:08

It cause is simple not enough hay to the far side of chamber. Obviously your feeder forks are set close enought to kee hay to far side, but yes it is very common problem in my area who hav e new Hollands. Usually it can be corrected siome with adjustments ,but never had problem of that on deeres since they always had packer forks.

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Chick

08-24-2005 09:37:01

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to paul, 08-24-2005 09:15:08

The curved bales are a result of more hay being compacted on one side of a bale, than the other side. I think once you get it adjusted correctly, most will be consistant. It is a common problem. I know I have seen this drive people crazy trying to get it adjusted out. I have seen it with Massey Ferguson, New Holland and older Ford balers. I have never worked on or around John Deere, International or Case balers.

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paul

08-24-2005 21:02:24

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 09:37:01

We had the aluminumn set of feed forks break out once, that did cause some problems! :) I wouldn't say banana bales, just no formed bales at all.....

My bales will sometimes curve up, not side to side, but not near enough to cause any problems. Happens in light alfalfa windrows mostly. I'm assuming the banana bales are curved to one side?

Thanks guys.

--->Paul

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Chick

08-25-2005 05:08:14

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to paul, 08-24-2005 21:02:24

Yes, the banana bales are curved to one side. Caused by too much hay on one side of the bale chamber. Broken feeder tines would surely cause this. The normal adjustment to even out the hay in the chamber is too adjustment the penetration depth of the feeder tines, into the bale chamber. Thanks!

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Chick

08-24-2005 08:17:20

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 06:32:57

Man, the last thing I am having trouble with is getting hay to the far side of the chamber. I am getting too much hay to the far side of the chamber. Now, what are you calling a "packer fork"? Is this the same thing as feeder tines? I have only operated and worked on older units, and they all have feeder tines that move the hay from the feeder tray to the bale chamber. You adjust the feeder tine depth of feed into the bale chamber, to adjust how much hay is moved to the far side of the bale chamber. Anyway, I am unsure what a packer fork is. Thanks!

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Chick

08-24-2005 08:17:18

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 06:32:57

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RickL

08-24-2005 15:08:14

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 08:17:18

Chick the packer for is a rotating arm basically mounted above front of chamber it helps feod the hay into chamber so it elimantes the banan problem usually found on units without it if they don'get the feeder forks set right. New Holland never had them until the 570 series. Deere had them from day one basically. Rick

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Chick

08-25-2005 05:11:07

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to RickL, 08-24-2005 15:08:14

So, if I understand correctly, the feeder tines feed the hay into the chamber, then the packer forks push the hay deeper into the chamber, ahead of the plunger? Does the NH 311 have these?

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RickL

08-25-2005 05:30:49

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-25-2005 05:11:07

No; it is only on the 570 & 575 models. Deeres had it on every model

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alberta hayer

08-23-2005 21:34:38

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

I have a NH 320. Works good. What ever you have, get a manual and measurements like for the feed tines and away you go. I,ve made many bales and usually the problem is the 'nut' behind the wheel. Picked with a NH1033 bale wagon. Go baling and learn by doing. Nothing beats experience. Maybe an odd tip from an old experienced baler man. Learn to set the bale length. Important if you are goint to pick with a bale wagon!

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Chick

08-24-2005 04:14:03

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to alberta hayer, 08-23-2005 21:34:38

I have had many years of experience, but my old NH 69 finally got to a point that I did not think it was worth fixing. I have picked up a 269 and though I am in the process of figureing the adjustments out, I am still investigating what other people have to say about different balers, hoping to find a common thread about a particuliar baler.

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BobMo

08-23-2005 16:48:28

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

Chick, do what you want but I'd recommend something like a NH 320 which makes a good tight bale. None of these are really "newer" balers being 20+ years old and still sell in the 3-4000 dollar range.
Remember that with these balers condition of the bale is more a function operator than the baler. Mechanical condition of the baler and its correct adjustment is your responsibility, not the balers. Bales feeding into/onto bale wagons must be well shaped and slightly heavier than some people normally bale. They will not take damp or dew covered hay. It will just create headaches.
Good luck in whatever you choose...

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Chick

08-24-2005 04:06:43

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to BobMo, 08-23-2005 16:48:28

Some balers have adjustments that work better than others. I have worked on some balers that the adjustments didn't do anything to improve the bale shape. That was the purpose of this post, to try to find what model could be adjusted to make a good bale, then consistantly spit them out. I just picked up a 269 that had little wear, and I am in the process of trying to find all the little adjustments to work the kinks out of it. "Steve of New Holland" said that this baler was not known for real pretty bales. I know that some of the balers were. Of course, New Holland finds things each year that they think will improve the baler, however small they are. I have heard people speak of the 273 and 277 in high praise.

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Chick

08-24-2005 04:02:45

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to BobMo, 08-23-2005 16:48:28

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JMS/MN

08-23-2005 16:18:33

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

268 and 269 were the same baler except for the pto shaft and hitch length. Wasn't the first super sweep the 273- it had the pickup teeth closer together. 268/269 had wide dividers between the teeth.

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Chick

08-24-2005 03:55:45

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to JMS/MN, 08-23-2005 16:18:33

The super sweep pickup was available for the 269, but it was an option and you do not see it very often.

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paul

08-24-2005 09:19:27

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 03:55:45

I was thinking the same as JMS, my 270/271 doesn't have super sweep, never saw one with it. Have to look through my service manual again, didn't notice the SS option in it.

--->Paul

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Chick

08-24-2005 09:43:20

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to paul, 08-24-2005 09:19:27

The 269 had the option, and it was built in '64. All higher model numbers were made afterwards. But as I said, there are not many around with it. It was not until the later models that it became standard. Thanks!

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 11:32:01

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 09:43:20

I had a 269 with the supersweep. It was a nice baler. Used it for years. Never had a problem using the balewagon behind it, if the bales were tight enough. Would mistie a bale every 4-500 bales. Replaced it with a 570. It seems to have about 3 times the capacity, for me anyway. Nice baler also. Had to replace the hay dog springs with in a few years of new, but the replacements are standing up well. Ties every time but need the heavier twine. Use a JD 24T at times for flat wagon stacking. Would rather have either of the NH's

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Chick

08-24-2005 11:59:18

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to onefarmer, 08-24-2005 11:32:01

On your 269, did you have any problem with the belt?

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 12:26:22

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 11:59:18

If I remember correctly about all the belt ran was the pickup. Never had to replace it and we had the baler since new. Traded it in '92 for the 570.

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Chick

08-24-2005 13:19:38

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to onefarmer, 08-24-2005 12:26:22

The belt is fairly new, but I have seen where there is already a small piece coming off. Thanks for the reply!

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onefarmer

08-24-2005 18:55:06

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 13:19:38

Sounds like the saying " they don't make em like they used to"... Maybe a flaw in the belt or just a lemon. Did you get it from NH? May want to check pulley alignment, but they are so far apart don't seem like it would be that bad. Maybe the tention pulley. Just thinking of the possibilities here.

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I Like Case

08-23-2005 15:54:16

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

Chick
I stacked a lot of bales 30+ years ago but I actually baled for the first time this summer. I have a 269 that hadn't made a bale in probably 5 years-I've owned it for 3 and it never turned a tire. Seems as though if it never rains you really don't need a baler. Well this year we have had some rain and I got to make some hay. I aired up the tires, greased everyting I find to grease and tookoff. If everything I have worked that good life would be a breeze.

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Tim Shultz

08-23-2005 15:13:28

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

dunno 'bout that other guy but my boss has a 575?
could be wrong 'bout that last number...
any ways it works great! has a kicker too...
Tim Shultz

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Walter Squires

08-23-2005 12:59:28

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 07:04:42

There are so many New Holland bale wagons in this part of the world but all you see is John Deere Square balers, you have to have a very good shaped bale for them to work well, what does that tell you.

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Chick

08-23-2005 15:20:19

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Walter Squires, 08-23-2005 12:59:28

That tells me that I better make my New Holland baler work good, so that I can use the bale wagon I just got!

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Hayman

08-24-2005 08:12:57

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-23-2005 15:20:19

Don't be fooled every salesman will tell you "their" baler is the best! When the real factor is the amount of experience the driver has in the tractor!

I've picked behind JD, MF and NH balers. They all are quite able to make a crappy bale!!

I have to laugh when I read people saying you need a JD or Hesston or what ever baler in order to pick bales with a NH bale wagon properly.

We've had a NH 278 for 30 years thats done practically a Zillion bales and picked them all with a NH balewagon just fine. Now either NH balers do and can make good bales or maybe I have some secret to picking NH bales with a NH balewgon something :)

AS for the original post whats the best NH Baler. I couldn't tell you as I've only ran a couple models.

I have 2 NH278's and one 320. They all work fine for us. My only complaint would be the amount of maintance the feed rack requires to keep it up to par. We make like 40,000 bales a season though with these vintage balers. For the guy making 2000-4000 bales they'd go for a few seasons before needing service.

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Chick

08-24-2005 08:25:48

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Hayman, 08-24-2005 08:12:57

Yeah, I worked at a MF dealer in the mid '70s, and we sold and worked on MF 124's and MF 12's mostly. They were adjustable to make a nice bale. Since then, I have owned and worked a 69 (built about 1959), for years. recently, when it broke down, I decided it was not worth fixing, as I had acquired a 269 with very little wear. I normally only put up about 2000 bales per year, but want one that makes a square bale. Thanks!

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Hayman

08-24-2005 11:59:37

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Chick, 08-24-2005 08:25:48

For bale shape and balers I've heard complaints from EVERY brand.

My old 278's have the old feed rack system that can be a pain to maintain. However they can be set to bale hay in the worst condtions. Any baler can make a nice square solid bale when you feed it a nice big windrow and drive correctly. However my old 278's can bale up a crappy little windrow others wouldn't even think of and make nice bales for picking still. Most high capacity balers like to be kept nice and full to make the nice bales etc.

We had 2 MF 12's before we got the first NH278 in 1975. They were good old balers. We kept the one new one as a spare untill we sold it to my Uncle in 1980. The NH278 in heavy hay could do about double what a MF12 could. My uncle still has that old MF12 and its like new still. He only does a few hunderd bales a year with it.

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Loren

08-24-2005 18:14:32

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Hayman, 08-24-2005 11:59:37

278, double the 12 output. What about the MF124/128 in the same production equation? Loren.

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Hayman

08-24-2005 23:12:55

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Re: What is the best NH square baler? in reply to Loren, 08-24-2005 18:14:32

I'm no MF baler expert but I believe the MF 124/128 had much more capacity than the old MF12.

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