In need of round baler advise for first timer

[Tx Jim]

I have 2 neighbors with late model NH rd balers that do a good job baling hay. All the rest of the rd balers around me that I'm aware of are JD.

 

[jerry shannon]

I've been around hay equipment all my life. I've only bought my own in the last few years. Before that, I paid someone else to bale mine.

IMHO,
My choice for a round baler would be:
1. JD That's what I bought and it's what I wanted. If it's working as it should, no other baler will roll as tight and even as a JD.
2. Vermeer That's what I would have bought if I hadn't found a good used JD.
3. NH And, it's a distant third place. However, I would consider one if I just couldn't get a JD or Vermeer. NH makes a good small square baler, but I'm just not a big fan of the round balers.

Just my opinion. And my opinion, plus 50 cents, might get you a half cup of coffee in some places.

The more I read and hear, the JD seems to be at the top of most lists. My Oliver is green,, not the SAME green but its green so if I am going for color coordination of equipment, then JD is the way to go. I am kidding as color does not matter to me. Thank you.

 

[jerry shannon]

Thank you Tx Jim for weighing in.

 

[jerry shannon]

I think you'll be hard stressed to find a 6X6 baler. To my knowledge Vermeer was the only manufacturer to build a 6X6 years back and it was very short production time frame. I'm partial to JD rd balers as that's all I've owned. JD's are easy to operate and make a good,tight bale of hay.

I thought JD had a baler that could do 4x4's, 4x5's or 4x6's with the same unit. I mis-spoke on my desire to find a 6x6. I meant a 4x6 round baler. I will probalbly settle for a 4x5 and not worry about having to set up baler for different bale sizes. Thanks Tx Jim.

 

[jerry shannon]

a 5 by 6 is the biggest baler made today.whatever baler you get have it put in the shop an gotten field ready.itll save you time money an breakdowns.

Sorry for the error. I meant a 4x5 round baler.

 

[jerry shannon]

Net.wrap is great but make sure has twine also, cause it can be a pain sometime to line out with any brand. I have a Vermeer but would pick the JD over the NH. Had some really bad days in field with a NH, buddy of mine runs nothing but the JD balers. I didn't go with JD cause the price(wouldn't look as good behind a Kubota either), instead of buying a used bigger baler(dang could have had reason to tell the wife need big tractor), I purchased a new 4x5 instead(23,000 with all the options), happy with my Rebel so far...

Speaking of the net.wrap being a pain when I was coming back from town earlier one was giving the baler guy the blues. Im pretty sure it was a NH,will check tomorrow but those bales looked terrible,it was balling all up in the middle and leaving a long tail. Net is really nice,super quick thou over string but if you haven't used it,its fine not having it but once you do,its something you'll always wont to have,even with those days....

Great Advise. I currently have been buying 4x4 round bales of grass hay. In the past I was using square bales and going through about 650 per season for our 5 horses through the winter and till the pasture lots grow up. The round bales I got this spring for use this winter are wrapped and I love it. I store inside but they stay clean and tight till I need them. I like the option of wrap OR twine. Thanks.

 

[Tx Jim]

On later model JD balers that have a 4 for the first number(stands for width of bale) and 6 for middle number(maximum height of bale) the balers will tie/wrap automatically any diameter from 3'(36" to 6'(72"). 457 or 458 on the other hand will only make a 5'(60") diameter bale. The last number is the series number(larger number is later model baler). JD 430/530 balers will put up a good/tight bale if they have no internal leaking cylinders or valves.

 

[jerry shannon]

On later model JD balers that have a 4 for the first number(stands for width of bale) and 6 for middle number(maximum height of bale) the balers will tie/wrap automatically any diameter from 3'(36" to 6'(72"). 457 or 458 on the other hand will only make a 5'(60") diameter bale. The last number is the series number(larger number is later model baler). JD 430/530 balers will put up a good/tight bale if they have no internal leaking cylinders or valves.

Great information to know. Makes a little more sense now. Thank you Tx Jim.

 

[Tx Jim]

No problem. I've been selling,demonstrating,using to make a living with JD balers since the mid 80's. They're GOOD

 

[Sysop]

I think the main strike against JD here is the local JD dealer is among the worst rated of JD dealers.