Looking for a round baler

[Bigfoot62]

. . . so I'm looking for a round baler. I'm new to the round baling scene, so I'm kinda lost. I have a John Deere 5065 which is 53 hp at the pto, so nothing that makes a bigger bale than a 4x5 or 5x5 (I assume?). . . I'd like to spend $5000 or less. . .

You asked for opinions, so here goes:

Good luck on the $5000 or less. Seriously, if you want a baler that will produce and not be in the shop all the time, you're probably looking at double that figure. (or more)

I've been around hay equipment all my life. For a round baler, I would go JD, Vermeer or NH. (in that order) Here's a few to look at:
John Deere 457 (the 456 is the next older model, and I think the 435 is the one before that - and, of course, older is usually cheaper)
Vermeer Rebel 5400 (also, any of the 504x models. the letter indicates the age. "N" being current model)

Stay away from the "drum" balers. (like the Claas) Chains do a good job, when new, they just don't stay that way long. Belts are flexible, easily repaired and relatively cheap to replace.

I would encourage you to look at a 4x4 bale size, or a 4x5 and just stop at 48" diameter. When the 4x5 baler gets full, it's going to be a load on your tractor. I have 70hp @ the PTO, and it's not over-powered for a 4x5.

 

[johnnybar1]

If transporting on flatbed isn't an issue, look for 505L vermeer's too. Make sure to get the restrictor plates to take the load off the tractor and you can bale rock hard bales if needed. I run a 60hp tractor and I got into a used one for $5200 with 5300 bales on the Equal Fill/Auto Tie monitor's counter. They always better the JD competition at the farm shows for weight of equal sized bales and you can easily adjust the hydraulic belt tension if softer bales are needed. You don't want rock hard bales if selling by the bale...your cheating yourself cause others bale soft to medium at best from my 40yrs experience....and they still ask the same price. If selling by the ton...hard is fine....saves net or twine. Get a used 10 wheel V wheel rake for $1000 or less....makes all the difference as stated....nice 5' windrow = nice 5' cylinder shaped bales. If you get twine only, set it to wrap every 3" to 4" and you won't lose much vs net wrap. If you want over the edge net, for really clean looking bales, look at red or green balers.

 

[crowbar032]

You asked for opinions, so here goes:

Good luck on the $5000 or less. Seriously, if you want a baler that will produce and not be in the shop all the time, you're probably looking at double that figure. (or more)

I will always appreciate a straightforward honest opinion. After some searching I'm beginning to see you are most likely correct in your assessment as well

I have located a Hesston 540 for $5,700 but I have not been to look at it yet. I thought that was high, but it's on a dealer lot.

 

[cowski]

i would look for a jd 385 ,you should be able to find one for $5000 or less.a jd 385 is as simple a baler as you can buy.a jd 435 needs more horsepower than you have.

 

[D7E]

Personally i would not be scared of NH chain balers . We always kept a 1989 NH 855 bale command for the horse customers that did'nt want the big squares which did 5-600 a year and i've done little more than occasional bearings in the 5 years i've owned it . Only reason i sold it was to change to a 4x6 bale this year . My big square that did 2500 hay and 1500 straw last year is a "1994" and my "new" 4x6 NH is a "94" that i will expect to do close to 800 with this year .
Really NH and deere are the balers here ..mainly NH , I dont think i've seen a vermeer for 15 years or so in a field .. A few new MF's starting to pop up ?
I really would not dismiss a claas , parts backup maybe but a very good baler , the leader in most of europe and can be bought cheap here ?

 

[Jules083]

i would look for a jd 385 ,you should be able to find one for $5000 or less.a jd 385 is as simple a baler as you can buy.a jd 435 needs more horsepower than you have.

I have a 385, I put about 200 bales a year through it. It's not quite as reliable as I'd like it to be, but I make good bales with it. Did 40 yesterday without a hiccup.