baler

[mahatango]

The left knotter on my Massey Ferguson Model 3 baler is not tying reliably. Both ends of the twine are twisted but in some cases it does not knot; in others (less frequently) it makes a knot that pulls through when the bale is handled. Any suggestions on what adjustment I should make?

 

[tude]

Attached is the knotter trouble shooting page from the MF 3 baler manual.

 

[mahatango]

Thanks. Very thoughtful to send page. As it happens I have the manual and one of the conditions it does NOT describe is a failure to knot with a twist in both ends of the twine.

Sorry to be slow in responding. We live in dial up country so it takes a twenty mile trip to the library to be able to use the forum effectively.

 

[tude]

You might try the Yesterdays Tractor web site by asking this question in the Implement alley forum. This site has more people who have used this baler in their youth and are familiar with its quirks. All of my baler experience has been riding the wagon behind them and stacking hay.

 

[leonz]

Do you happen to blow out the knotter chamber
with a leaf blower to keep it clean or use a big
shop vac and blower nozzle at the same time to
break up the dust and suction it up at the same time?

 

[mahatango]

Thanks. I do try to keep the knotter area clean, but this issue doesn't seem to be a function of whether it is clean or not. I suspect the billhook but am not sure what I should be trying to get it to do more or less of (and exactly what I turn to get it to do more or less).

 

[ham]

I work with a John Deere 468 and had similar issues. If you suspect the bale hook then try either tightening or loosening the tension on the balehook by about 1/4 turns until it ties correctly. My manual is pretty wishy washy which way to go but I think that is your problem....the spring tension on the bale hook.