That time of the year again...

fatbob50 · Jun 16, 2014

After much anticipation, it looks like I might be able to cut some hay down this week. With that in mind, I have a question about twine.

I bought a 268 New Holland baler; it bales and knots good. I have been using sisal, but I would like to switch over to plastic twine. Has anyone ever used plastic twine on a 268 NH baler? Am I better off with the sisal, or is it worth a try on the plastic?

Any experience you have had or any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

showcrop · Jun 16, 2014

This comes up here regularly. The biggest question is usually will the knotters tie with plastic? A decade and 5/8 ago I made the switch after asking around some. The guys using it said it works good no problem with knotters. When I got some it said on the wrapper that it "works well on all properly adjusted knotters." I have switched back and forth a few times with no knotter problems. The only problem that I have had is if I have a bale entering the thrower as I come out of the windrow at the end of the field. Once in a great while the thrower belt will melt the twine. There is an adjustment on the thrower for this to make it so that both upper and lower belts engage the bale at the same time.

Dave H (MI) · Jun 16, 2014

Personally, I hate plastic twine. No one has used it on my place in a very long time but I still dig it up. I have had chickens so wrapped up in it they lost their legs before I noticed it. I have also seen an oriole hanging dead from it's nest after trying to use it to build with. Just don't see the point in this day and age of not using a biodegradable twine. I use sisal and rarely have any breakage.

rrlund · Jun 16, 2014

I'll second that. I've known guys who've lost calves and had them autopsied only to find a wad of plastic twine in their guts.

If you don't have that scourge around your place,don't start now.

Don-Wi · Jun 16, 2014

I would say the same thing about plastic. I did buy a bale of plastic this year just to try in our baler, as I'm thinking about doing one side plastic and one sisal to id my horse hay when I sell it. I will say after hauling out around 60-70 loads with the manure spreader this spring, there were only 2 pieces of twine wrapped on the beater. Most guys seem to get that with one load.

Donovan from Wisconsin

rusty6 · Jun 16, 2014

I have not used sisal twine in years. The old
Holland 270 worked fine with plastic and so does the
newer MF 120.

Larry NEIL · Jun 16, 2014

Don't know about NH knotters, but I use plastic in my 620 and 720 balers with no problem. My local JD dealer sold me some 903 plastic tha works good. I have to use pplastic because I use a drag accumulator and the sisal doesn't hold up well enough.
Need to keep the plastic twine picked up...always, even out in the field when baling. Freaks me out if somebody leaves some strings out!

Cas · Jun 16, 2014

One year we bought a few loads of hay baled with plastic. I guess we were not careful enough getting rid of it. It took a few years a few bearings, etc before it was gone.
I could see using it for horses. But, dairy cows where you hire a little help forget it.

Lazy WP · Jun 16, 2014

I bounce back and forth between sisal and plastic, in my 273. I would prefer plastic, but the stinkin rabbits like to sharpen their teeth on it. My bottom 2 rows, always have cut twine, if I use plastic.

Brendon Warren · Jun 16, 2014

Yep, switched to plastic in a JD 327. Never missed a beat. I wish I could make some hay, too wet here

donjr · Jun 16, 2014

I used to have sisal in my square baler, and went to 9000 plastic, but then to the 6000(?) plastic because it doesn't break as easily and is much easier on the hands....

That time of the year again...

fatbob50

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showcrop

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Dave H (MI)

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rrlund

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Don-Wi

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rusty6

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Larry NEIL

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Cas

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Lazy WP

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Brendon Warren

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donjr

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