Vermeer 504F vs JD 535 Round Baler

Montanaford · Aug 10, 2022

I am new to hay and newer to round baling. I have a Vermeer 504F hoping to bale a couple dozen bales a year. I used it this year and made a few bales fine and then had to give up when I couldnt get it to start a bale. Instead I square baled it all with my uber-reliable JD 216. I need a Baler to work when I need it, and considered moving up to a JD 535 which is common, available, and well-regarded here. However I was trying to bale grass hay at about 8% moisture and I suspect that was my problem, I didnt know any better,
Would the JD be more reliable or will the Vermeer be adequate if I learn a little more? Im not worried about breakdowns, Im worried about my ability to hook it up and make hay. Also, I know its ridiculous to have a Baler for a couple dozen bales a year, but its a matter of autonomy and practicality, not doing the numbers.

paul · Aug 10, 2022

Are all the teeth on your pickup and good and strong, not bent back.

Are the rubber flaps on that feed roll good square not rolled back.

When starting a bale small windrow, mid size grass, idle speed, keep pushing a little in, slow steady feeding, not start and stop.

The pickup teeth and those rubber flaps and the bottom drum are the 3 corners of the bale as you start, if the teeth or the flaps are wore you have problems.

I have a Vermeer 605F.

Couldnt start bales, it was bad teeth. Put 12 new teeth on and new flaps and a new machine.

Paul

Tx Jim · Aug 10, 2022

IMHO rd baler no matter the brand have a learning curve for operation. Missing pickup teeth can cause poor bale core formation.

BarryfromIA · Aug 10, 2022

I ran one years ago but seems like it started better when you started into the hay at an angle to get hay across the bed as soon you could

rick n ohio · Aug 11, 2022

Try lowering the wind guards I had to do that with my newholland on second cut hay

reprepair · Aug 11, 2022

With the pickup teeth just clearing the flap on the starter roller. The wind guard times should point at the intersection of the teeth and the end of the flap, while raised up against the stop bolt.
If the wind guard tines are to high, bend them down to the correct height. You can flip the windguard open and bend the tines by standing on them. Bounce slowly, especially on the end ones. The end times see the most stress against the sides of the baler. They work harden and will break off while bending. Hang on to the upper rollers with both hands. When a time snaps off you will hit your noggin. Don't ask me how I know. I have made this adjustment on dozens of f, g, and h Vermeer's. Teeth need to be good, you can upgrade to rubber mounted. Flaps should not be laid back .

Montanaford · Aug 11, 2022

Thanks for everyones help. I just looked carefully - I have the five row pickup teeth, but they are bent and uneven. Flaps look good. This winter Ill replace the teeth and adjust the bars as suggested. From everyones responses it sounds like this Baler is actually perfect for what I need just need some TLC, some patience, and some experience, and a JD Baler would not be magic bullet.

Vermeer 504F vs JD 535 Round Baler

Montanaford

Member

paul

Well-known Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

BarryfromIA

Well-known Member

rick n ohio

Member

reprepair

Member

Montanaford

Member

Similar threads