Small baler

grtrnd1 · Jun 8, 2020

Hello. Been awhile since I've
been in here and have a couple
questions. I own a Massey
Ferguson 50 with a fairly new
rebuild. It's a high arch row
crop with 38 inch loaded tires.
My days if square baking with
our Oliver 720 square baler
which has been great, is coming
to an end. Getting to fat and
old and working 6 days a week.
It's time for a round baler. I
know I'm on the low end of the
HP spectrum for a round baler
but was told that as long as I
watch what I'm doing that I can
get by with a 4x4 baler. Which
is all I need. I'm looking at a
New Holland 630, New Idea 4544,
Hesston 530 and 540, Vermeer
504F and 504I and a Krone 125.
The 504I and Hesston 530 make a
39 inch bale and I'd be afraid
of those upsetting on our one
field that I bale around the
hill. I'm in southeast Ohio and
not many Vermeer fans here for
some reason. Anybody make any
recommendations on any of these
balers? Get the baler paid off
and I'll be in the market for a
Massey 65, 165, 255 or 265.

MJMJ · Jun 8, 2020

Everyone seems to have their favorites. Of that list, the new Holland and Vermeer, IMO, would be the best choices but would also likely cost the most. Personally I lean towards Vermeer, only because that vintage of New Holland balers are often nearing the point that they have sledge frame/gear issues. Fixable, but it's a big and expensive job. And not all have those issues, it's just something I worry about. The Vermeer I series are pretty much considered a workhorse baler, not fancy but will swallow up a lot of hay without much issue.

The New Idea and Krone are variable chamber balers. Not quite as much hay in a bale, but easy to use. I've baled with a 4x4 M&W (same as a Krone) using my old Ford 3000. It's a simple baler and will bale about anything. They start sucking horsepower as the chamber gets full, but your tractor should handle it.

Only thing I know about the Hesston is its reputation for less than pretty bales. But not sure why.

That's my thought. Worth just what you paid. LOL

495man · Jun 8, 2020

630 are good. Hardcore bale, maybe not are hardcore as a brand new machine, but easy to work on you can still get parts.

I've run one a few years. Ran it on 42 PTO HP for a few years, made hay fine.

FinnMD · Jun 10, 2020

I've had good success running Vermeer round balers, the 504 I is good and only needs about 45 pto hp. The Vermeer 5400 Rebel also good, I got one couple years ago, and only needs 40 pto hp. Both make 4 x 5 bales, which you can also limit to 4 x 4 if you want. I still keep my real old 504 C (sold under Badger name in 70s or 80s) and it works, but closed throat design needs more skill and very finicky with hay and windrow sizes. The 5400 very easy to use. The Vermeers have good designs to run on lower hp requirements than most others for a 4 x 5 bale. If you get bigger tractor I'd suggest 200 series, like a 265 or 275 instead of a 165, since 200 series better hydraulics, which make process much faster. I bale using a 165 D and 265, years ago had a 135 D also. Good luck.

c.oawright · Jun 11, 2020

I have a Massey 50 and have used it with a Heston 540 baler. I used it for a few years to bale and it did ok. Struggled going up a slight hill and had to down shift to low 2nd.
I bought a 255 and its a lot stronger.
The 540 is a good baler if you can find one that is in decent shape.

Auctioneerajb · Jun 16, 2020

Got a Hesston 540. Nice simple baler to operate and a hay eating machine. Makes bales from 2x4 up to 4x4. Pull it with a 275 or a 265 and unless the hay is super thick, don't hardly notice its back there. On the 4x4 size as the chamber gets close to full you can feel it pull the rpms down though. I bale in 1st high. You mite wind up in a lower gear but still beats handling idiot cubes. If I recall the min HP for the 540 is something like 45 and for the 530 it's 35.[/quote]

Small baler

grtrnd1

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MJMJ

Well-known Member

495man

Well-known Member

FinnMD

Member

c.oawright

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Auctioneerajb

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