LHF2019
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2021
- Messages
- 769
- Location
- NWPA
- Tractor
- IH1586, JD2350, JD2355, JD2950, JD4040, JD4430, TD95D
Recent issues with my 459 baler has brought to light the importance of an important feature lacking on these balers that can forewarn you of an impending issue that would otherwise go unnoticed until most likely complete failure happens. Starting the season I noticed that my baler was not operating in the correct pressure range. Was off approximately 300 psi. Closing the gate the psi was not going where it used to. Thanks to a video my son made to help another member I have a base line to work with.
I feel every owner of a 44X and 45X baler install their own pressure gauge to monitor pressures. 44X run at 2750 psi and 45X run 3500 psi.
During a recent baling run I lost all pressure. I wasn't surprised knowing it was off some but what I found wasn't expected. I thought high pressure relief valve failed and my neighbor allowed me to take his from his 447. I was either going to bale at a lower pressure or was troubleshooting and had other issues. Turns out other issues. Baler still would not build pressure. Found another post and before I got to involved in other areas of the baler pulled out all pressure valves and check valve.
Turns out my baler ate another screen. This was an issue when it was new. JD service manager says it is sort of common and sees it more when people switch to tractors with a much higher flow. Not sure why it affects mine as I don't have that issue. As long as you keep your system clean and not switching around to several tractors he has no problem not running screens on the pressure valves. When I pulled the high pressure valve there was no screen but I could not remember how we eventually ended up when the baler was new so did not give it a 2nd thought. As you can see the 2nd screen was broke as well. I am now running no screens and will not be. While this resolved the immediate issue it did not resolve the loss of 300 psi while baling. JD did not have another valve to confirm or deny the high pressure valve is failing. New is currently not an option as JD has 0 in inventory and they are double back ordered with a possible release date of August or beyond. I price checked them through Motion and their rep for Eaton/Vickers said those are only available through OEM. I'm going to check with salvage yards and see what I find. Service manager did mention something interesting in that you can take them apart and shim them to change pressure. When I took my valves out I wanted the numbers to try and cross reference them on the net. Most of mine were illegible so had this bright idea I would pull numbers on the new baler in the yard. That was uneventful.
Also part of this ordeal and age of baler it was time for the tech manual. Highly recommend it. In fact the test procedures for troubleshooting this very issue might actually tell me I have a minor internal leak on a gate cylinder. Very good possibility with metal debris floating around from the screen. Had one gate cylinder rebuilt years ago that they told me seal looked like it was cut. But that leaked externally and I had that repaired before the season so no idea if it affected psi during baling or not.
Compared to the video this is the subtle difference that affects the round bale formation which without the gauge you may or may not notice in your bales. Whether using for yourself or selling, these bales produced running with 200-300 psi less will affect the density and how much hay is in the bales.
To the naked eye it is not noticeable. Some of them the next day might make you question it but without knowing you may pass it off to the time of year bales are made and/or type of hay. Not thinking there is a baler issue.
I feel every owner of a 44X and 45X baler install their own pressure gauge to monitor pressures. 44X run at 2750 psi and 45X run 3500 psi.
During a recent baling run I lost all pressure. I wasn't surprised knowing it was off some but what I found wasn't expected. I thought high pressure relief valve failed and my neighbor allowed me to take his from his 447. I was either going to bale at a lower pressure or was troubleshooting and had other issues. Turns out other issues. Baler still would not build pressure. Found another post and before I got to involved in other areas of the baler pulled out all pressure valves and check valve.
Turns out my baler ate another screen. This was an issue when it was new. JD service manager says it is sort of common and sees it more when people switch to tractors with a much higher flow. Not sure why it affects mine as I don't have that issue. As long as you keep your system clean and not switching around to several tractors he has no problem not running screens on the pressure valves. When I pulled the high pressure valve there was no screen but I could not remember how we eventually ended up when the baler was new so did not give it a 2nd thought. As you can see the 2nd screen was broke as well. I am now running no screens and will not be. While this resolved the immediate issue it did not resolve the loss of 300 psi while baling. JD did not have another valve to confirm or deny the high pressure valve is failing. New is currently not an option as JD has 0 in inventory and they are double back ordered with a possible release date of August or beyond. I price checked them through Motion and their rep for Eaton/Vickers said those are only available through OEM. I'm going to check with salvage yards and see what I find. Service manager did mention something interesting in that you can take them apart and shim them to change pressure. When I took my valves out I wanted the numbers to try and cross reference them on the net. Most of mine were illegible so had this bright idea I would pull numbers on the new baler in the yard. That was uneventful.
Also part of this ordeal and age of baler it was time for the tech manual. Highly recommend it. In fact the test procedures for troubleshooting this very issue might actually tell me I have a minor internal leak on a gate cylinder. Very good possibility with metal debris floating around from the screen. Had one gate cylinder rebuilt years ago that they told me seal looked like it was cut. But that leaked externally and I had that repaired before the season so no idea if it affected psi during baling or not.
Compared to the video this is the subtle difference that affects the round bale formation which without the gauge you may or may not notice in your bales. Whether using for yourself or selling, these bales produced running with 200-300 psi less will affect the density and how much hay is in the bales.
To the naked eye it is not noticeable. Some of them the next day might make you question it but without knowing you may pass it off to the time of year bales are made and/or type of hay. Not thinking there is a baler issue.
