Farmall 400 and JD 530 baler

Spotted Horse · Apr 30, 2011

A fella has a 530 JD round baler advertised, and I have a Farmall 400 gasser.
I'd like some opinions from you folks that are familiar with the 530 and if you think my 400 could handle it ok. My hay ground varies from flat to rolling hills.
Thanks for any and all opinions.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 30, 2011

I had a friend use a 3020 propane and a 530 baler, wasn't fast but got the job done, 3020 was rated at 65-70 hp. Don't know the hp of your tractor, might be pushing it. chris

karl f · Apr 30, 2011

you have to have a wide front axle!

karl f

sd pete · Apr 30, 2011

30 years ago I used to pull a 5800 Hesston with a 400. It worked good on flat land but it struggled somewhat in hills But we made it thru ok. I did a lot of custom work with it.

billonthefarm · Apr 30, 2011

It wouldnt work well. Maybe you could do it but you wont be happy. Those balers pull harder than you would think. Would probably be a load for a decent 560.
bill

Spotted Horse · Apr 30, 2011

Thanks for the replies fellas.
My 400 does have a wide front.
It also has 41/8" pistons, so I'm guessing the HP is somewhere over 50 HP.
For many years, my uncle baled hay with a Farmall 504 and a JD 510.
That's what got me thinking about maybe buying the 530, my tractor should have as much weight and probably more HP than his 504.

The JD 530 is in such good shape I hate to pass it up if it would possibly work on my 400.
The fella is asking $3,000.00 for it and all the other JD 530's I've seen advertised in this area (and in decent shape) have been $5,000.00-$6,000.00.

Tx Jim · May 1, 2011

A JD 530 rd baler will require a minimum of 70-75 pto hp if the hyd pressure is set very close to the red area on the baler gauge. JD 510 & 530 are no where close in hp required as 510 only has spring tension not hyd tension. I always referred to 410/510 balers as bundle makers compared to later JD rd balers.

Spotted Horse · May 1, 2011

Thanks Tx Jim, I guess I'll give up on the idea of buying the 530, I know my 400 has nowhere near that much HP.

Tx Jim · May 1, 2011

Spotted Horse
Another option on the 530 baler would be to back the hyd pressure off to about 12 o'clock setting on the gauge on RH side of baler and only make as tall a bale as 400 could turn successfully.

dej(Jed) · May 2, 2011

I pull a 530 with a 656 and it does it well enough. You may be under powered.

Spotted Horse · May 2, 2011

I'm also looking at a 1175 Case tractor another guy has for sale, if everything comes together like I hope, maybe I'll be ready for haying season when it gets here.

Farmall 400 and JD 530 baler

Spotted Horse

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Anonymous-0

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karl f

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sd pete

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Tx Jim

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