First time at baling hay

[jerry shannon]

I will be cutting and baling hay for the first time this spring on my 22 acre field. Newly planted last spring. I am looking for a used John Deere round baler that will do a 4x6 bale or a 4x5 and have capability to use twine or net wrapping. What models do I want to look for?

Some terms I am also unfamiliar with. What are the following: "tucker wheels", "push bar" and "auto tie"?
I would have thought that all balers use an auto tie feature, and the hay is pushed out by a bar. What are pre-cut knives also? What would I find to be a standard on a round baler?

NOW that I have demonstrated what a dumb *** I am on the subject of round balers we can move on to some answers and guidance. Thank you.

 

[Tx Jim]

Most JD rd balers after the 410/510 models were auto tie except the few low end(cheaper) models. JD balers can be set to auto-wrap a bale at any size between 36" & 72" on the more common size balers. Netwrap on JD balers became available on 35 series. Push bar also became available on 35 series which eliminated the need to back up before ejecting the bale. Tucker wheels are intended to pull hay from wide windrows into pick up attachment but IMHO JD engineers did a poor job engineering them. After the tucker wheels aka converging wheels get some wear they lean the wrong direction and will not effectively pull hay in correctly.

 

[jerry shannon]

Most JD rd balers after the 410/510 models were auto tie except the few low end(cheaper) models. JD balers can be set to auto-wrap a bale at any size between 36" & 72" on the more common size balers. Netwrap on JD balers became available on 35 series. Push bar also became available on 35 series which eliminated the need to back up before ejecting the bale. Tucker wheels are intended to pull hay from wide windrows into pick up attachment but IMHO JD engineers did a poor job engineering them. After the tucker wheels aka converging wheels get some wear they lean the wrong direction and will not effectively pull hay in correctly.

Thank you Tx Jim. Any ideas what they mean when they list the baler with "pre-cut knives"?.

 

[Tx Jim]

Pre-cut knives is knives inside baler that slices hay stems as bale is being formed. IIRC NH has the knives but I think JD doesn't

 

[jerry shannon]

Pre-cut knives is knives inside baler that slices hay stems as bale is being formed. IIRC NH has the knives but I think JD doesn't

Thank you. Is their an advantage in a unit that has precut knives?

 

[farmer2009]

Thank you. Is their an advantage in a unit that has precut knives?

IMO not unless you are bailing silage.

 

[flusher]

Find your used baler and then get the manuals (operator, maintenance/repair, parts) from the manufacturer or from eBay.

Good luck