John Deere 336 Baler

slowzuki · Jun 27, 2004

Good morning everyone,

There isn't much deere equipment in our area but a friend has a 336 baler for sale. It seems in good shape, any opinions on this baler? Anything to look for? How much hp would this thing need (Older balers seem to need less)

It has an auger to feed hay over which I'm not fond of, the other baler I've used with an auger would get all bound up if there was the slightest burr on it.

I htink I may get someone to check the knotter, I grabbed the pieces and they didn't wobble on the shafts. The bale chamber had some surface rust from sitting but nothing serious.

I noticed a pair of hydraulic hardlines on it that don't seem to go anywhere, I assume it once had a bale thrower or something on it?

The flyweel has double belt grooves so I think maybe an self powered option was available at one point. (Edit nevermind, I think its for a bale thrower!)

This baler in the picture is the same model but looks in much worse condition.

slowzuki · Jul 16, 2004

Well, I looked over the baler with some more knowledge and it still seems good!

The plunger is pretty tight on the rails, the shims don't look worn. The shear pin hole doesn't appear to be egged out from endless breakage. The knotter brake seems in good shape, it is running plastic twine which the YT people say can't be done with a worn out knotter.

The knifes are sharp, all the bearings seem good. The bale chamber is a bit surface rusty, there are bale resistors installed too. The needles look brand new, and the plunger stop looks like it has never been hit in action.

We may pick this puppy up yet!
Ken

Wannafish · Jul 16, 2004

The 336 was/is a great baler. I loaded many thousands of bales off the back of a 336. I plan to have one within the next year or two...only problem is my 24T hasn't had a mis-tie in the last thousand bales. Kinda hard to explain my need to the CFO /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If it is in good shape it should last a long time it taken care of.

Good luck and God bless,

Keith_TN65 · Jul 16, 2004

Getting approval from the CFO can be tricky. Maybe sell the 24T and be baler-less for a few months. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif And I know a few people that would be able to help you unload the 24T. (My self included) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

slowzuki · Jul 16, 2004

I have read the late 24T and the early 336's are the same baler less some safety guards on the 24T. Of course I also read the knotter in the 336 has a needle bearing in one spot where the 24T uses a bushing. I've never seen a 24T in person though.

I like the more exposed design of the 336 than the MF224 I have been using. The 224 has no way so see when a bale is being tied from the outside and you can't hear the ka-chunk of the needles going. I don't like the auger though, I have cut too much hay out of IH baler augers.

slowzuki · Jul 30, 2004

Bought the JD336 last night for 2100$ Canadian. The seller ran some bales through it for me to test it out first. After paying he tells me a broken thrower comes with it too!!! Woot hoo! Usually the pickup sceen for the pump is just clogged.

It is about a 1985 model, it has been stored inside it's entire life and really is in good shape! The jack needs some work, someone has driven away with the jack down before (hmm, I wouldn't know anyone who has done that.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

It has a funky hitch extended on it, It goes on the drawbar and has some guides. Anyone know about these?

The knotters are really easy to grease and I like the gear drives on them. The chain for the packer forks is a normal chain too! Easier to replace!

Look forward to lots of good bales!
Ken

RonR · Jul 30, 2004

I think the funky hitch has to do with keeping the pto angles "better". Been too long, but I think other JD balers have that as well.

Enjoy!

Ron

rlee6 · Aug 1, 2004

Would you kindly explain to me what kind of baler JD 336 is? Is it the middle of the line? What size hay field would it be perfect for? I have read articles but never seen a baler with eyes. Much to learn.
Thanks.

slowzuki · Aug 2, 2004

From what I'm told it is a middle of the line square baler. The 346 is the older wide pickup high capacity model.

Lots of people do 10's of thousands of bales a year with a 336.

It is a direct descendant of the 24 and 14's JD's, the parts and operation is almost identical. The newer models are 337 and 338, with the 338 having a wider pickup. The parts are all basically identical.

Ken

slowzuki · Aug 3, 2004

Here are some pics of the 336 sandwiched between the MF 224 and 228 we are also using:

MikePA: Removed inline image that was wider than 640. Please see attachment.

slowzuki · Aug 3, 2004

Here it is up a bit closer:

MikePA: Removed inline image that was wider than 640. Please see attachment.

slowzuki · Aug 3, 2004

The knotter up close:

MikePA: Removed inline image that was wider than 640. Please see attachment.

slowzuki · Aug 3, 2004

We put 662 bales through it in 3 hr 15 min on Monday, didn't miss a single tie! It hadn't been tying but a simple tucker finger adjustment fixed her up!

656 · Oct 15, 2005

Hi , I have owned a 336 baler. It was a great machine baling 7 to 10,000 a year for over 15 years. Good luck with yours

slowzuki · Oct 16, 2005

It just went through its second season. Up to about 10,000 bales through it now. No serious problems. Still makes slight banana bales but have tried all kinds of things. Only thing that works well is feeding it really slow which bites as it will eat hay great.

Have adjusted the packer forks, checking for missing hay dogs, missing hay resistors etc removed some bolt heads from the drop chute that seemed to catching, all to no avail. The side away from the pickup always ends up a bit looser.

jgh · Oct 17, 2005

20051017

Sounds a bit like what I am experiencing with my early '70s vintage NH 273, although it varies with the way and with what I feed it.

Seems do bannas more with drier hay.

I'm still learning on hay.

Jim

jd110 · Dec 26, 2005

You might try installing the newer style feeder fingers. They have five adjusting holes instead of three. They were changed for the very problem you are having.

336 feeder fingers

pedro_lopes · Aug 31, 2006

hello,

im not sure if the american balers are similar to europeans. if yes, i'm thinking it is smaler to the jd 342 , and this works perfectly with a 65 hp tractor.

Hard Knocks IV · Sep 1, 2006

JD 24T and 336 probably are the best balers at making a neat consistent
bale no matter how much the hay changes from one side of a field to another.
We used to bale around 30,000 bales a year with a 24T.

slowzuki · Sep 5, 2006

We put another 3500 bales through it this year. Still a slight bannana. Haven't got to adding more holes for more throw. Sunday I made 333 bales in an hour and didn't miss a tie. Some soft bales but the raking was terrible, the hay was dragging such that 30 ft of windrow would drag with it then dump in a glob. This was tough as you'd lose the feed then pickup a giant lump that would stall the pickup.