Installing JD 336 Hay Dog Spring

3600Paul · Jul 29, 2014

Hello,

I have a JD 336 baler. The retention clip on one of the Hay Dog springs broke. Fortunately I found the spring. The local JD parts people can have the retainer in a few days. This spring is located in the knotter compartment. Can anyone offer any instructions on how to compress the spring so it can be reinstalled?

Do I need a spring compressor tool? If so, what kind? Can it be bought at an auto parts store?

Thank you,
Paul

Tx Jim · Jul 30, 2014

It's been a long time since I installed a haydog spring but I was thinking I just compressed spring enough by hand to get clip attached. You could remove bolt(parts key 5) to get more movement of hay dog.

3600Paul · Jul 30, 2014

Thank you for the quick reply. The retainer clip is due in at the JD dealer on Friday. I will try to install the spring then. I can compress the spring a little bit by hand but that may not be enough to install it. If that doesn't work I'll try your other suggestion.

sstouder · Jul 31, 2014

3600Paul said:
Thank you for the quick reply. The retainer clip is due in at the JD dealer on Friday. I will try to install the spring then. I can compress the spring a little bit by hand but that may not be enough to install it. If that doesn't work I'll try your other suggestion.

It's been awhile since I replaced a hay dog spring on my 336 so I can't remember if I could do it by hand but, if you can't compress the spring enough by hand to install the keeper-clip, I'd suggest going to the local auto parts store and purchasing (or borrowing if possible) a small engine valve spring compressor and using that tool to compress the spring and then installing it. The tool is small enough to fit behind the knotter and, even if you have to purchase it, it can't be very expensive.
Good luck!

3600Paul · Aug 1, 2014

Thank you for the reply. The clip is due in at the JD parts dealer tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

3600Paul · Aug 4, 2014

I installed the hay dog spring yesterday. I could not compress it far enough by hand. So I compressed it just enough with a c clamp and tied it in that position with baling twine. Installation was then easy. Cutting the twine restored the spring to its uncompressed state.

Thank you all for the replies