Baler needles are malleable iron, hence ductile (not brittle). They can be bent quite a bit and are often bent deliberately to fit up thru the knotter assembly and close to the twine disks. In fact, the wiper arms are also soft iron and are supposed to be "adjusted" with a "forming" tool to wipe the tied knot off of the billhooks. Even if they are cracked, I bet you can have them welded or brazed using a nickel rod and they will last for long enough to hunt for a replacement. As I have often found, all you really need to do is park the replacement casting near the one you fixed 'cause the fixed one will never, ever let go. Good idea to find out why the needle bent, though, safety stop springs wore out?, wet plug, chain jumped, needle brake too loose, tucker finger springs missing, rock in the plunger, plunger off its track.
Nows the time to fix it. Haying should beging any day now ! Lets see some pictures of your repair job. I know you can do it ! If you have any questions about how to put it all together just post. You too can be a "baler man".
Nows the time to fix it. Haying should beging any day now ! Lets see some pictures of your repair job. I know you can do it ! If you have any questions about how to put it all together just post. You too can be a "baler man".
