John Deere 346 Project

[ddivinia]

How does the part's baler look? Are you gonna be able to recycle some of the parts for the rebuild?

Or should I buy some more JD stock...?

AKfish

Most things right now are things that need to or should be replaced.

Parts baler - going to snag a handful of parts off of it that bolts are broken off, etc.

No sense in wasting time on pulling pick up teeth off the parts baler - they aren't in great shape.

How about those bearings? I will get some new ones coming. I am going to pull the pitman arm off and see what is loose in there. Check out the video - thing it needs fixed?

Also - on the bale case from the bottom there is a lot to weld onto, etc. I am hoping to weld that up this weekend.

Overall - it could be going worse. Sure learning a lot about this baler...

D.

 

[flusher]

Most things right now are things that need to or should be replaced.

Parts baler - going to snag a handful of parts off of it that bolts are broken off, etc.

No sense in wasting time on pulling pick up teeth off the parts baler - they aren't in great shape.

How about those bearings? I will get some new ones coming. I am going to pull the pitman arm off and see what is loose in there. Check out the video - thing it needs fixed?

Also - on the bale case from the bottom there is a lot to weld onto, etc. I am hoping to weld that up this weekend.

Overall - it could be going worse. Sure learning a lot about this baler...

D.

You're right about that. I learn something new about my MF124 baler every time I run it.

 

[AKfish]

How about those bearings? I will get some new ones coming. I am going to pull the pitman arm off and see what is loose in there. Check out the video - thing it needs fixed?

Also - on the bale case from the bottom there is a lot to weld onto, etc. I am hoping to weld that up this weekend.

Overall - it could be going worse. Sure learning a lot about this baler...

D.

The pickup teeth aren't too expensive. IIRC - they come in a box of 10.

Yep.. that bearing has got alot of "shakin' goin' on"!

You're gonna be a baler pro by the time you get that baler back into the field! And you'll sure know what to look for whenever you buy another small square baler! :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

The pickup teeth aren't too expensive. IIRC - they come in a box of 10.

Yep.. that bearing has got alot of "shakin' goin' on"!

You're gonna be a baler pro by the time you get that baler back into the field! And you'll sure know what to look for whenever you buy another small square baler! :thumbsup:

AKfish

I went ahead and got 20 pickup teeth. I think that should get me close to getting it fixed up.

It is supposed to rain this weekend, so I can get some work done on it. I hope to weld the floor up, get the plunger back in, slip clutch and go thru the pickup. Next week I will do the knotters.

Believe it or not the roller bearing was fine in the plunger. The pitman arm and pin is the problem. I am not sure it is worth fixing.

I am learning a lot as I go. I hope it will be baling hay in a week or two.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

I needed all 20 of the pickup teeth.

I pulled all the strippers, cleaned out the twine wrapped up in the pickup, swapped 20 teeth, and put the strippers back on. All I can say is I am glad I have an air ratchet.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

New Hay finger bushings - helped some, but it is still loose. I need to check out a new baler to compare.

D.

 

[AKfish]

New Hay finger bushings - helped some, but it is still loose. I need to check out a new baler to compare.

D.

D.

When I put the new finger bushing's in the 336, I noticed that the bolts were double-nutted and not tightened down really tight. They were snug (at least considering the wear) and that's how I reinstalled the new ones. Just tightly snug and then cinched the 2nd nut down to keep everything from working loose.

Took almost all the slop out of the fingers but not all and I don't think the finger's are supposed to be "rigid" tight anyway's.

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

D.

When I put the new finger bushing's in the 336, I noticed that the bolts were double-nutted and not tightened down really tight. They were snug (at least considering the wear) and that's how I reinstalled the new ones. Just tightly snug and then cinched the 2nd nut down to keep everything from working loose.

Took almost all the slop out of the fingers but not all and I don't think the finger's are supposed to be "rigid" tight anyway's.

AKfish

Mine has double nuts also.

I think you are right that it is somewhat loose by design probably to keep it out of a bind.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

I put the new bearings on the plunger and got it back in today.

It is so tight in there I can't turn it over by hand. I loosened up the left hand lower rail and tried to move it over - no go. I think I will be pulling the plunger again and probably pulling the rails to check them out. Something is too tight in there. I figure some new bearings on the plunger and it would go back together OK. Well, I guess they had torqued down the guides and rails, etc for the worn out bearings.

Any ideas?

D.

 

[flusher]

I put the new bearings on the plunger and got it back in today.

It is so tight in there I can't turn it over by hand. I loosened up the left hand lower rail and tried to move it over - no go. I think I will be pulling the plunger again and probably pulling the rails to check them out. Something is too tight in there. I figure some new bearings on the plunger and it would go back together OK. Well, I guess they had torqued down the guides and rails, etc for the worn out bearings.

Any ideas?

D.

Sounds like the rails that guide the plunger are misaligned pretty badly. The plunger on my MF124 moves with no problem when I turn the flywheel by hand.

Gee, D, this project is turning out to be a real bear. On the bright side, just think of it as a quick course in small baler repair/rebuild. I'm sure you'll get immense satisfaction once this baler starts earning its keep.

 

[ddivinia]

Tell me about it. It moved easier with the shot bearings in it. I am going to pull the plunger out again and pull the left lower guide loose. I loosened it up but could not get it to move with the plunger in there.

It is so tight the right lower side of the plunger started smoking. I am hoping i can just move that lower guide and everything falls into place.

I am learning a lot - that is for sure.

I should probably just buy a new one. I keep my equipment under cover and take really good care of it. Working on this old junk can be frustrating.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Also - the plunger is so tight that the lower right guide/plunger starts smoking after about 30 seconds of idle running. Figure that is tight?

D.

 

[flusher]

Also - the plunger is so tight that the lower right guide/plunger starts smoking after about 30 seconds of idle running. Figure that is tight?

D.

That's all you need--a hay fire in your baling chamber. That'll put the baler out of its misery.

 

[ddivinia]

Exactly - oh well, I will get it figured out. I am going to put it back in the barn. I need to get ready to cut and roll hay. This square baler projects will be put on hold - might be best to just save it for a winter project.

 

[AKfish]

Looking at your pictures of the plunger bearings; er.. what was left of 'em - I'd almost think you'd have a "groove" worn in the lower railings from the bearing race dragging back and forth!

So, you might have higher sides along the rail surface and a lower center area. That might explain why the plunger is so tight in the chamber..

Was all day at the neighbor's yesterday going thru the "pre-baling" run through with his 336. He's an 'ol farmer from the border area between Kentucky and Tennessee.

Very through and persnickety about tolerances and "going by the book"!! He's very successful at putting up high quality hay in this area and when he hits the field with his equipment - it is a rare event if he has to pull out of the field before it's done.. to fix his equipment.

I got a very good "education" regarding why he's successful! :thumbsup:

We might have a "weather window" later this week to start putting up hay. Sure hope so...

Sounds like the hay is waiting for you, too! Might not get small squares until next year.

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

I think you may be right. Man it is hard to get in there to look at the rails. I am thinking I just bust them all loose and pull them out to look at and go from there.

Yeah - hay can't wait. I use rolls anyway, so the square baler is not a big deal. Maybe I will have it ready to go for 3rd cutting but I have a feeling with everything going on in my life it will be a winter project. I am going to read the service manual a couple more times regarding the bale chamber.

Grass is looking good with all this rain lately. It should be a good cutting.

How many acres will you be baling?

Have you gone thru your 336 to make sure it is ready to go?

D.

 

[ddivinia]

AKFish - You are right I just moved the baler from the carport to the shed and I checked the right hand lower guide - it has a pretty nasty groove in it. I will have to pull the plunger and check all the guides. As worn out as everything else is on this baler I might as well order all new guides.

D.

 

[AKfish]

Grass is looking good with all this rain lately. It should be a good cutting.

How many acres will you be baling?

Have you gone thru your 336 to make sure it is ready to go?

D.

Hay is looking real good here, too. Just 10 acres this go-round; maybe 500-600 bales. But; already have had a number of folk's ask me if I'm interested in their hay ground.

We'll see how this all goes, first. Planning to build a 24' x 24' hay shed and a 12' x 32' machinery lean-to later this summer!

Between last summer's 32' x 36' pole-barn and baler, disc mower, tedder, rotary rake, sprayer, etc, etc. I'm starting to wonder if this is gettin' out of hand...!?!

Have the baler in the garage right now goin' over everything with a fine tooth comb. The auger belt is shot - should be here by tomorrow (Mon.). Got a couple of grease zerk's that have been "abused" and will replace them. Nothing major, though. It's lookin' pretty good right now..

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

Of course it is out of hand.

I think my baler is back to winter project status.

D.

 

[AKfish]

Of course it is out of hand.

I think my baler is back to winter project status.

D.

Yah... in the back of my mind - that's what I think, too! But, I can't NOT do this -- I like it!!??!!? :shocked:

Working on my 336 last night - one of the knotter assemblies don't look so hot! Book says I can file it down to be flat before replacement. Can't decide whether to wait and try it with hay and see how it bales as is... or file it and then run it??

Likely order (2) new assemblies and replace at the end of this season (or if they won't bale for crap - replace IN season!)

AKfish