bill from wisconson 50t baler

MARK ROBKE

Well-known Member
Bill, I read your reply on the rust pic's post, but since it is 3 pages back I thought I'd re-reply here! After WWII my Dad and Uncle decided to modernize-they put electric in the barn and milkhouse, and bought a tractor and equipment. I always remember they did not care for tricycle tractors, and for what and where we used tractors for the utility style was better and much more nimble. And the the Ford 3pt hitch was more handy too. They bought everything in 1948, an 8n, a plow, disc, scraper blade, side mower. But then they bought an Allis Chalmers rake, and the IH-McCormick Deering 50t baler, and also an IH manure spreader. I think they were friendly with the IH dealer and were the first ones in northern Ky. to have a baler. So they did a lot of custom baling. The funny part is they at first borrowed a neighbor's H or M Farmall to pull the baler. But one day they decided to use the 8n and got by just fine. Later they got a second 8n, a '50, and traded the '48 for it. Then they added a '52 model 8n. Then they traded for '53 Jubilee with a Wagner loader and a side mower. But the Jubilee took too long to remove the loader and put on the side mower. So in '56 they traded the Jubilee for the '55 Ih 300u. It was the first used tractor they bought, only had 75hrs, and came with a 34u loader, fast hitch plows, a carry-all, and fast hitch 7' mower. The loader only takes about 5 minutes to remove and maybe 10 minutes to install. So the 300u became the baler tractor, but I think over all the 8n got used about twice as much as the 300u. They later added a 340u to the fleet and then it did most of the plowing,(instead of the 8n) disking, and all the mowing. I still own the 300u. Mark.
 
I got a little carried away with details but I remember starting the baler by just turning the pulley about 1/4 turn most of the time. And then putting the belt on the flywheel, and gently engaging the tension pulley, and getting the baler up to speed. It was my job for many years to drive the baler tractor, usually the 300u, but occasionally the 340u. I never got to use the 8n on the baler though. But raking was almost exclusively the 8n's job. Old memories! MArk.
 
Same here. I remember sitting on the seat with my feet on the transmission case and sliding off the seat to push the clutch down. My first solo performance was pulling a wagon with a hayloader behind it and my brother, who is 12 years older, on the wagon. My father bought a JD 14T baler with a Wisconsin engine in 1959. The 8N pulled it for 2 seasons. Then he bought the MF 65 High Arch.
 
I still have a good useable 55W,pto powered.Will make 15"x19" rock hard 100 pound bales if asked to. Slow,50 spm. Usually pulled with an M,but Ive pulled it with an F-20.The thing is big and HEAVY. We call it the dinosaur baler.
 
Our 50t had the conttinental flathead engine. And yeah it was a very heavy baler. I remember greasing it a lot of times too. I think Dad said it had 60+ grease fittings. I remember the engine governor kicking in on every stroke-very unique sound. Mark.
 
The first tractor I drove(actually just steeered) was the 300u while Dad and my uncle loaded hay bales on the wagon. They left me on the seat and I tried to steer between the bales as it idled along. And then also while feeding hay bales in the pasture. I remember about stepping on the clutch while puhing up on the steering wheel. Later the 8n was much easier-it had a much softer clutch pedal. Mark.
 

I posted a picture of the Ford and baler form way back. I think it is 1952, when they first got the baler. That is my Mom and sister in there too. I still have the tractor and the wagon in the picture. My Grandpa bought a F-20 in "33". That was the first tractor on the farm. Story is Dad was plowing at the rented farm, that had many stones, with the F-20. My uncle was there with his 8n plowing too. One too many times having to backup and re-hook convinced Dad to get the Ford. He bought a package with it, plow, cultivator(front and back),spring tooth harrow, slip scoop, back blade, lift pole, belt pulley, and a rear manure loader. I still have the plow, blade, lift pole, and manure loader. In 55 he bought the 300U with a plow. He also bought a Dearborn Combine, like the one in the picture, that year too. He did a lot of custom baling with the rig. The neighbors liked the twine, instead of wire.

Anyway, I have collected a couple 50T balers, and hope to have it running this year.

thanks for answering


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