broken chain JD 219

[HumphreyUK]

Hello again with more trouble. The baler was put into service after a year under cover but after making one bale, the long front to back chain broke. However unknown to me, the chain was repaired and run again without the timing being attended to. Needless to say, one of the needles was bent sideways from the feed chamber and the tucker cross shaft bent.
A new needle has been ordered and will be fitted. I also noticed that the rod from the back that operates the piston stop is seized.
If that had been working, would the damage have been avoided?

 

[Tx Jim]

Yes a correctly operating plungerhead stop should protect needles when needle to PH timing is incorrect. Be sure needle brake is snug enough to hold needles when they're in home position.

 

[HumphreyUK]

Thanks, I will have a look tomorrow.
H

 

[HumphreyUK]

I got the timing right eventually after wrecking a needle due to hay packing the piston slots and bad timing.
Does the long chain from the crankshaft to the knotter gears have any timing issues, or is it ok to reconnect?
That chain has been broken several times in the past without breaking the shear bolt. It has a 1.5x 0.5 pitch. Where can I get one from? The machine had been left outside for many years when I got it.