Choosing a small square hay baler part 2

[vtlpluyr]

I had a previous post about small square balers, had a plan, started shopping, then saw that I maybe needed a new plan I was looking for a Massey 124, had an expert neighbour who was going to help me with it, but the few I've looked at so far are rusted and living outside...

I have come across 2 interesting used balers though. One is a New Holland 316 with a thrower - does not look painted but was obviously stored indoors all of its life. Everything seems tight and clean. I have absolutely no way of knowing how much hay was put through it. From what I have read this is a reliable machine. Is anybody intimate with this model of NH? Anything I should look out for?

I also came across a John Deere 348. It is a 1990 that has had 250,000 bales put through it (a high-side estimate). It has been serviced regularly, everything is tight, and I know for sure that it lived inside all of its life. I'd have bought it today if it were not for the large number of bales that it has done in its lifetime. The owners were dairy and preferred small squares - they clearly used it a lot. Just looking around it was obvious that they were not hurting for money and seemed to regularly have the dealer come by for servicing (this baler and other machinery). Is this too much? It just seems like an inordinate amount of hay to have been made for the baler not to be at the end of its life... It was very clean as far as what the following videos had us look for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYwfWbT3W7w and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl1O7838Gyw

The guys who owned it swore up and down that it had been more or less trouble free (except for a small spring that had been causing the thrower to prematurely eject). They did what they called a major overhaul about 10 years (or so) ago but not because they were experiencing trouble, I guess the dealer had suggested it and they just said yes. I will have the dealer run the serial number and give me specifics - they did not seem to know anything specific other than it cost thousands (and I tend to believe them). They have just retired... Should I take a pass because of the amount of use it has seen?

Both balers are about $5K which is the high side of what the NH316 goes for here, and the low side of what the JD348 goes for.

 

[CDennyRun]

I'd be interested as to what the details of the "major overhaul" was. Also how many bales they think they've ran since then. The JD might be a pretty good deal. I've heard the NH 316 is a pretty good machine. No personal experience though.

Chris

 

[vtlpluyr]

Chris - I would guess that they have 100,000 bales since the overhaul. They didn't seem to be hiding anything - pointed me to the dealer to ask about the overhaul... Its the 250,000 bales that I have a hard time getting my head around - man that's a lot of hay!

 

[Tx Jim]

What does the metal on floor under tip of auger look like where hay enters bale chamber? Is there a hole worn in sheet metal at this point or holes worn in bottom of bale chamber? How loose is plungerhead in bale case? Major sq baler overhaul includes new PH brgs & guides plus new knotter components. $5K is cheap for a 348 down here in Texas

 

[vtlpluyr]

What does the metal on floor under tip of auger look like where hay enters bale chamber? Is there a hole worn in sheet metal at this point or holes worn in bottom of bale chamber? How loose is plungerhead in bale case? Major sq baler overhaul includes new PH brgs & guides plus new knotter components. $5K is cheap for a 348 down here in Texas

Metal is rock solid all around - visually everything is A1. Its just the 250,000 bales that scares me. Mind you if I was buying a used one from a dealer I'd have no way of knowing how many bales had gone through it...

 

[RickB]

250,000 bales is not a small number, but it in and of itself does not have to be a dealbreaker. Price vs condition is key, as always.

A 316 is one of the two or three most well regarded NH 14x18 balers ever made. many are out there earning their keep every summer. A model 70 hydraulic drive belt style thrower is the best option available for a 316.

 

[vtlpluyr]

Went over it again, bottom by the auger tim is rock solid, got service records, it got serviced annually (who has money to do that?)... I bought it - thanks for the advice everybody! Now for wagons

 

[HarryVanderpool]

The most important thing to me is, "Can you get parts shipped overnight to your doorstep if something breaks?"
Our first bailer was a 1947 IH-45 that we paid $250.00 for including manuals.
We used it for 10 years with no problems other than a screwed up knot once in a while.
Then one of the bill hooks broke. I was on the phone and computer for 3 days trying to find a replacement.
Most places just laughed at me.
Then I bought a JD 24T from a neighbor that had baled 6 acres all of it's life for $1000.00
Parts are no problem.

When is a hay baler going to break?
It isn't going to break setting in the shad in December!!
It breaks when you are baling.
What ever you buy; make sure parts are readily and quickly available.

 

[CDennyRun]

Good for you man, congrats! I hope it's a great machine for ya.

Chris

 

[cat fever]

I am not anything close to an expert on balers. That said I bought a NH 316 this past summer.

I put new twine cutters on, tightened up all the chains, changed gear oil in both boxes and greased everything. It worked fine with no problems all summer. So far it was a good buy for me.:thumbsup: