Masswy Ferson MF3 baler.. flywheel wont turn

[macecase]

I just purchased A MF 3 Baler. I got it home and attached it to my Ford 8 N. When I gave it power, nothing happened in my tractor almost died. I went to turn the flywheel by hand but it will not budge. Any thoughts on what this could be? This is my first baler. The previous owner said it worked just fine. But, it looks like it has set for a year or two.

 

[MIKE R]

Make sure the plunger isn't jamed with hay or some forign object.

 

[macecase]

I gave it a good look over and don't see anything. I am guessing that is it, though. Maybe the plunger is stuck at a weird angle or rusted closed?

Any other thoughts on how I can diagnose or things to check would be appreciated.

Might it be out of timing causing this??

 

[Ed of all trades]

I know older NH balers but I would say that if the plunger is jammed against something it would still turn backward by hand. If it wont turn at all you might have bigger problems, I hate to say it but the gear box is suspect.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Probably extremely worn and stuck rusty. The plunger will stick.
I would upgrade

 

[flusher]

I just purchased A MF 3 Baler. I got it home and attached it to my Ford 8 N. When I gave it power, nothing happened in my tractor almost died. I went to turn the flywheel by hand but it will not budge. Any thoughts on what this could be? This is my first baler. The previous owner said it worked just fine. But, it looks like it has set for a year or two.

Be sure you have an overrunning clutch on your pto shaft. The 8N does not have an internal OR clutch or a live pto clutch so you can really mess up the pto shaft on that tractor. That happened to my neighbor when he tried to run a small wire tie baler on his 8N--the tractor pto shaft was twisted into a corkscrew by the inertia in the rotating baler flywheel when he tried to stop the baler. Tractor supply has OR clutches for $70 or so.

Good luck.

 

[TomSeller]

Open the gearbox mentioned and see if you have damage. If not lube what you can and work on it. If it doesn't go backwards, does it rock back and forth? With that much mass on the flywheel sometimes just repetitive back and forth motions against where it is stopping breaks them loose. I can't recall the specifics of that model, but if there is a spot for a pry bar on the flywheel, I would insert one in a spot where you can put some lift on it with a jack and leave it overnight. Tighten the jack if needed periodically. Given enough time sometimes that breaks them loose.

 

[macecase]

I went back to work on the baler today. I sprayed tons of WD-40 and also PB blaster along the runners in the bale chute. I also attached com-a-long and tried to break the plunger free.

I took some videos and posted it on YouTube. Will you please take a look at what I have and see if you can offer any suggestions?

 

[hophornbeam]

Looks to me that your baler has been rode hard and put away wet! 1. do not attach that baler to a tractor until you have properly timed it since you have disconnected the plunger arm. 2. from your discription it sounds as if the plunger is seized in place. I would attempt to install blocking in the bale chamber and push the plunger forward with a bottle jack. 3. I would not replace the bent hay guards under the hay forks just yet nor would I replace the hay forks unless you can get them for the taking until you get the plunger unfrozen and get some idea how well the knotters work. If they are as abused as everything else, look for another one!!

 

[macecase]

Can you explain the blocking and bottle jack a bit more. It sounds like what might be needed but I can picture how to set the blocks and jack.

Thanks!