Recommendations for a first baler

[CaptHowdy]

I'm considering buying a baler and have read many threads on them but I'm not sure if I need all the bells and whistles on a first one. I was wondering which new balers I should take a look at? I have Vermeer, M&W, John Deere, New Holland and MF dealers all near me. I guess I should get net wrap since it seems to be better if you are going to stack them or keep some outside. I don't really want to go all out on a baler because I still need to get some other equipment, so if someone could give me some recommendations on cheaper models by these brands that should work I'd appreciate it. I'd be pulling it with a MF 4610.

 

[KFhunter]

how much ground you doing and what kind of bale you want? Use it yourself? or sell off?

 

[CaptHowdy]

how much ground you doing and what kind of bale you want? Use it yourself? or sell off?

Around 70-80 acres. I'm honestly not sure on what kind of bale. I know I don't want the soft core bales because I will be stacking some of this in the barn and leaving some outside. I'll be using it for myself and selling off the extra.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

soft is OK it depends on the baler and how well you wrap them I hav e seen a lot of old chain baler that were looser and softer than a modern soft core. for 70 to 80 of well fertilized maintained hay you need a new baler.

 

[Equipmentpro99]

If you are planning on selling any hay forget the soft core, nobody wants to buy them. Also try to get at a 4x5 or4x6 baler those size bales sell better than most. On the baler (just my opinion) stick with the major brands john deere, new holland, or maybe verrmer. They are easy to get parts for and all around better in the field.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Ive never sold hay but have no issues with well made soft core rolls. I have an old Vermeer that works well and the 6 by 5 size is cheap to buy. My 5 by4 cost about 20 each cash expenses when they fall out of the roller. Im not sure you can make money with anything bigger than a large looking 4 by 4. the money just isn't there. As far as feeding the big rolls make more sense.

 

[powerscol]

For sale to the market, check out what folks are buying. Around here it is either the standard square bale 14x18 for folks with horses, etc to the larger square bale for cows. You can stack more in a barn over the round. Netting not needed for them. What you trying to grow and bale can also make a difference

I just bought a used Hesston 4550 in-line baler for its maneuverability. MF sell the current model under their brand 1835, 1837, 1839 and the latest 1840 There are also other hay sites with additional information. Try searching hay equipment.

 

[Texasmark]

Around here JD is about all you see. I have had 4 of them and currently am running 1. Most have wide throat which translates to ease of starting the roll.....I have had closed throat and that was a pain. Belts are premium 3 ply diamond pattern and just about last a lifetime if you keep the baler under a shed.

The bale tensioners are adjustable on the larger/upper cut models with dash mounted electric/electronic controls and monitors to tell you just what's going on in the bale. They, as others, have bale pushers so that, when the tie light comes on, you stop the tractor and the pusher pushes the tied bale out from the baler so that the gate can close without having to back up as in previous years. I guarantee you that you can roll a perfect roll easily and it will be so tight that you can hardly get a commercially manufactured hay spike in the center.

Net wrap for me is not necessary. Makes for a real pretty squared off roll, but when feeding, just that much more stuff to fool with. However it does come off faster. Some of the folks in the northern climates say that it is bad about freezing to the ground as compared to poly twine. A roll of wrap is expensive. Don't have the cost numbers for per bale vs twine.

My 2c,
Mark

 

[foreman Etexas]

Look at the Vermeer Rebel balers,I have the 5410 net/twine. I paid 21 new if remember right,simple baler. Could have been 23 with net/monitor/gathering wheels,I forget. How's that new tractor been?

 

[CaptHowdy]

Look at the Vermeer Rebel balers,I have the 5410 net/twine. I paid 21 new if remember right,simple baler. Could have been 23 with net/monitor/gathering wheels,I forget. How's that new tractor been?

So far so good. Only have 17 hours on it. I'm just getting started in all of this so right now I'm pretty easy on equipment lol.