.Polishing the Hay Chute this year? NH 268

[countryguy1225]

Hi Ya'll. Just a few things related to my 1967 268 NH which I love dearly. She's petty and fussy, but loves me mostly. I bought this about 2 seasons ago. This will be the 3rd affair for her and I. I have about 5 acres drying here in SE Michigan. Last season I noticed that is was really difficult to get a bale the way I wanted w/ length and tightness w/o the chute getting the bale seemingly wedged w/ too much pressure? Not sure how to describe it except to say that the chute seemed far to aggressive on the static friction! It was lose or super-tight. Nothing else. As if she was saying "I'm to old and rusty to slide a bale along and tighten the way you want".


This year I pulled the top rail off, took the angle grinder and a fine wheel to the top and the inside bottom slide rails. I did the wedges welded to the sides, did the sides themselves. I elected to do this after reading about the bale sleeves (you've seen the video right!). I think it was $700 for one of these which is more than I paid for the baler! But it did spur me thinking that it would help to polish this up as the principle bale construction takes place here. Motion & pressure. Motion & pressure.

I'll post back and let ya'll know. And if anyone has any type of DIY chute liner material I would love to hear about them. Time to go make windrows. Please stay safe everyone!

CG

 

[countryguy1225]

What I do for each Bale run on my Baler!

Hi everyone, Few things for the first Hay cutting! The grind and clean on the chute was a success for sure. 92 perfect bales and I have them just the way I like them. So if you wonder about those chute, get them smoothed out.

Couple things for the new folks that are going into the Hay or thinking about doing it?. I'm now into my 3rd season and feeling pretty good about the whole process. Even for a few hundred bales a year, It's payed off imo.
The Knotters on the New Holland are pretty resistant. There are some pretty good knotter guides and advanced knotter guides published by NH of old. I have both and have submitted them here on the Forum if you want to find them on this Forum. . I hate that all these "free download places" when then want to charge 30-50 bucks for this stuff. I mean.... Really?

What do I do before any Bale run? Clean the Knotter Assy. and I mean Clean it! I use a brake cleaner, brass brush, and some rags. Once clean I use a spray Oil lube to get things lubricated again.
I run only the sisal rope thru her. I may try twine, But the Sisal works great so that is what I run w/ for now.
Then I grease the Assy w/ my Grease gun. Mildly. Not overkill. I wipe down the excess.
I unbolt the knotters and rotate them up to sharpen the blades. and I mean really sharp!
I Polish and remove any grooves in the Rope tension outlet off the left side of the twine compartment.
-the is the small square w/ the metal top which presses the roap w/ some mild tension.
- I removed and polished the exit so the roap will not stick or hang up. Keep that easy - breezy please. I do have some deep grooves, but simply rounded them out some. they were rather course when I got this. I did find this written down from someone here.... So I will say it seemed to help the rope run smooth.
The Shear bolt on the front Momentum wheel must have a Lock Washer on it. If yours does not, get one put onto it. My wheel drove the Nut loose and the slack will pop the bolt at some point. Just a simple thing.... But something I noticed.
I clean the bearing guides and slides (once each spring usually). Get all that gunk out of there. This is the long runs where the hay forks run back and forth and the front cover for the Plunger runs front to rear. Then lightly oil.... I pulled out a few pounds of Crap in there.
Each spring Grease the Wheel bearings. Pull the bearing covers off and insure the the bearings are clean and greased. Not all gummed up.
The main drive chain - Make sure it is not too lose and not too tight. There is a lot of bounce on this long run. you do NOT want this to jump a tooth.
On the upper knotter wheel sprocket and clutch where the length adjustment is done. There is a small shear bolt in which insures the Timing remains consistent. It will also protect your Assy from problems should the forks be in the way. Make sure this is a shear-bolt or at least a grade 2. Do not oversize it. I just buy the 1.29 10pack from TSC.


I think that about sums up my Baler work for each Spring and when I'm about to run a few hundred bales thru. I've had good results so I thought I would share my process.

Best,
CG.

 

[kydick]

Re: What I do for each Bale run on my Baler!

is there a grove in the needle eyes? you might think steel is tuffer than twine but i have seen half inch long groves worn into the needles. still will bale ok.

 

[countryguy1225]

Re: What I do for each Bale run on my Baler!

Ha... Yep, they are nice and deep... I just went and looked. Good point! They seem smooth overall, but like the rope exit, it sure does get dirty and dusty down there so I can easily understand that going on. Something to check too now and again. I do love my Baler! Just a fun piece of equipment!! Hope ya'll have a great season! So far up here In SE Michigan the grass is wonderful this season. Banner Hay year I hope.
CG.

 

[kydick]

Re: What I do for each Bale run on my Baler!

we have a super 68 new holland baler daddy bought new in 1960. used it up till about 2003. got a round baler and dont square bale much any more. we getting older and help harder to find. also can do all from the drivers seat. cows will waste more but with the round feeders that will save a lot.

 

[countryguy1225]

200 bales went polytwine too Polishing the Hay Chute this year? NH 268

So we put the last bale into the hay wagon as the sky went dark and the rumble of thunder was really coming in seconds! The misses raced off the plot and I popped the tractor PTO off and headed for shelter. We pulled the truck straight into the barn as the first drops fell. Now this operation is just my Wife and I! She is amazing and fun to have working alongside. (and cute !). She is raking while u am baling. Then we stop and load up the truck/trailer. And then go back to it. Makes for a good work/ride-rest ratio.
We have just done our front yard ad a neighbors overgrown back plot he let us cut down and clear for hay for free. Very Kind of him. Of 203 bales we had a great run and now will watch for the big 6acre field weather slot.

Hope this may help those here on the fence about doing hay on small plots or for smaller quantities. We do more work for it but it is very rewarding! Keep safety always in your mind!

 

[countryguy1225]

Ohhh. I did load up the poly twine. Ran fine for 80 or so bales. Not sure I like it as much but with the knotters aligned polished and cutters sharp it went fine. It does look really thin and I do expect it to wear the knitter fingers (what do we call then again?). Anyway. Enjoy the day.

Pa. I run the TSC twine and sisal. Just noting.

GC off for the day! Tractor and all gear out up. Over and out.

 

[5030]

It's called a twine disc btw. Last summer I ran a custom wheat straw job for a local farmer and averaged 3000 bales a day for 3 days straight. A couple good CD's for tunes, a cooler of bottled water and the climate control set at 72 and numerous boxes of NH bailer twine. Started at 9am with a little dew on the straw (it bales better that way), stopped for lunch, blew the knotters off, greased the machine, ran until 4, did the same thing and then ran until dark. I missed maybe 4 bales on mis-ties for the whole job. I run a late model NH 575 High capacity with a quarter turn chute.

93 bales, I can do that in about 15 minutes on a heavy windrow.

I've never saw the benefit of Bale Ski's, unless the bale chamber is corroded but that don't happen with me because my equipment is kept inside all the time. If I did line a chamber, I'd ger a sheet of HDPE extruded polyethylene and line it myself. A table saw and a tape measure is all you need besides some flat head screws to secure it.

I know you have a love affair with your baler (I don't love any equipment, it just has to run and without issue and that has to do with maintenance), but I don't believe you shouldf be cleaning the knotters with brake cleaner. You want undiluted grease in the bushings and pivot points. I never 'clean' my hay tools except with compressed air. They get a sheet metal pressure wash in the fall, some sprayed on motor oil/fiesel fuel mix for the winter and maybe a wax on the outside. Thats it. But then, it's a business with me, not a hobby.

Finally, TSC twine is crap. It's inconsistent in diameter and length on a ball. Get good ploy twine from the farm store like a dealer, not from TSC and scap the sisal. Sisal rots and mice chew it. Sisal went out 40 years ago. I use Bridon twine and net. American made, not chinese.