I replaced the twine plates that tension the twine, it still wraps. I noticed a decal in the twine box showing the outside spring so I hooked it back up, no change. I'm using 9000 sisal twine.
I looked at the twine stream every time I stopped to cut twine off the knotters, sometimes it was taut, sometimes not, I don't get it. Could cheap twine be a factor? I've been getting it at Tractor Supply the last couple of years, I'm noticing it isn't consistent in diameter.
I've looked for the wiper arm being mentioned, I don't think that IH uses them, I think the knot gets pulled off the bill hook.
First off, go to 170 Poly and forget the sisal. Actually, forget TSC. If you got sisal there it's probably at least 2 years old. There isn't much call for sisal anymore. What TSC has is old stuff.
Go to an implement dealer or a co-op and get some 170 poly. It's going to run about 40 bucks for 2 balls, each will be 7200 feet or about 500 average length bales (for 2 balls).
I buy 170 by the skid when I get a deal because it will keep for years inside the shop.
You have a wiper/knife arm, all knotters do. That's what the cutter knife attaches to. Pull the knotter mount pin (or bolt) and rotate the knotter upward in the cam until it's vertical. Look at the twine knife, the knife mounts to the wiper/knife arm and the end has a crescent shaped cutout. That cutout needs to be 1/16 of an inch or closer to the billhook's bottom. That is what wipes the knot from the billhook and allows the twine to move with the finished bale and the next bale to start. While you have it upward (knotter) check the wiper/knife arm to make sure it moves freely, the bottom of the billhook (between the cutout and the billhook itself) is free from burrs or gouges. If not, get some 400 grit emery and smooth it and then reset the clearance.
The bottom of the billhook must be smooth and burr free so the knot slides off.
A little tip. Rotate the knotters (check both) down and if you have a bolt, toss it and put in a pin and hairpin cotter. You want the knotter to float in the mount. Movement is necessary. If the knotter is tied down, it will miss ocassionally.
If the bronze follower ball (that rides in the cam plate) has a flat spot and the wiper arm comes to a rest with the flat on the cam, it will miss as well, because the clearance between the billhook and the wiper/knife arm is determined in part, by the bronze guide ball. If the ball is flat spotted, replace it. Don't attempt to make it round again. on older knotters, you'll have to remove the arm and grind the head off the end of the shaft that secures the ball. I believe all the manufacturers make a retrofit kit. New knotters have a hex cap screw securing the ball. So much simpler.
Finally, you need to check the knotter brake. The knotter must not move from the rest position. That's what the brake is for. Make sure it's working and not oily.
I've wrenched on bailers for years. I finally got smart and bought a new NH 575 high capacity that kicks butt, has centralized greasing and hydraulic bale tension. Life is good. Just did a 5000 bale straw job in 12 hours.
Get in the habit of rotating the knotters up, every day and inspecting the billhooks and knives. While you have it up, grease the knotters and make sure grease comes out the backside of the wiper/knife arm busing.
I grease my knotters every 1000 bales or everyday and the whole machine everyday as well. I run synthetic hypoid oil in the gearbox and everytimne I use the machine I do a walkaround prior to running the first bale.
With poly, especially 170 (which is the diameter you'll need for your twin (sisal) twine discs, you need to tie a double square knot (3 loops on each side, pull it tight and trim the tails close. if you don't the tails will foul on the billhook jaw and mistie.