Recommendations on inline baler and accumulator

[hotchkiss]

I am thinking seriously about buying an inline baler to bale 25 to 30 acres of alfalfa in small square bales for horses. What types have you tried or owned and what do you like and dislike about them? I would ask the same question about an accumulator. Thanks for your time and response.

 

[mkreitler]

As far as baler 320 NEW HOLLAND or equal in JOHN DEERE...For accumulator I used a 18ft. X 8ft. WAGONS had 6 of them 10 ton running gears in each one.On several occasions by dark 2 thousand bales in the barn. Also remember to stack your hay tight in the barn and CUT SIDE UP and with ALFALFA BALE A LITTLE on the TUFF SIDE to MININIZE LEAF LOSS, RAKE IT AT NIGHT IF POSSIBLE when the due is on also to save leaves. We did it this way on the farm for 20 years we had 50 acres in ALFALFA sold a lot of it and mixed the rest in with corn for FATTING CATTLE. Those where the days that seemed to never end!!

 

[flusher]

I am thinking seriously about buying an inline baler to bale 25 to 30 acres of alfalfa in small square bales for horses. What types have you tried or owned and what do you like and dislike about them? I would ask the same question about an accumulator. Thanks for your time and response.

Accumulator: with 30 acres I'd look for a used NH bale stacker either self propelled or pulled on the drawbar and pto-driven. You can find these on eBay and CL in the $10K range, sometimes less.

 

[AKfish]

A number of inline owners have gone with a Kuhn accumulator. Pulls directly behind the baler. Of course, you'll need a grapple to load and stack the bale pods.

A couple of observations regarding in-line balers; depending upon the model of tractor used to run the baler - keeping the windrow out of the front steering arms and out of the pto shaft and hitch can be a PITA.

And some concern that they can be "twine sensitive". Some owners found that the lighter twine (less than 130) would frequently break. Moved to 170.

AKfish

 

[hotchkiss]

Accumulator: with 30 acres I'd look for a used NH bale stacker either self propelled or pulled on the drawbar and pto-driven. You can find these on eBay and CL in the $10K range, sometimes less.

I will look into that. I am ahead of the game in that I am not going to plant the
Alfalfa and Timothy until next fall so I have plenty of time to shop around.
I am only going to do it if I can figure out a way to go it that will not take for ever or kill my
Back.

 

[hotchkiss]

I really wasn't sure how a stacker operated. Just looked one up. If
I could get a good used one for that price I would go that route. How high
do your rafters need to be for clearance?

 

[flusher]

I will look into that. I am ahead of the game in that I am not going to plant the
Alfalfa and Timothy until next fall so I have plenty of time to shop around.
I am only going to do it if I can figure out a way to go it that will not take for ever or kill my
Back.

You should be able to do at least 2 tons per acre. For 30 acres, that's 1200 3-twine bales (100 lb each) or 2400 2-twine bales (50 lb each). That says bale stacker to me if you value your time and your spine:thumbsup:

 

[hotchkiss]

You should be able to do at least 2 tons per acre. For 30 acres, that's 1200 3-twine bales (100 lb each) or 2400 2-twine bales (50 lb each). That says bale stacker to me if you value your time and your spine:thumbsup:

As I work through this it seems as though everyone wants it delivered.
They are willing to pay a good price so my preference would be to load it
on the trailer in the field and deliver it from the field. If so a stacker does
Not do me any good.

 

[powerscol]

hotchkiss - look up my posts on this topic. For years I had my small acreage baled by custom balers using the typical side delivery ones. I remember they had numerous problems getting things adjusted so as not to get banana bales. So when my custom folks stop doing the small lots I started doing it myself. I got an older Hesston 4550 inline (Current model MF1835). It has been flawless. I used a Bobcat CT 235 to bale with and have zero problem with hay hanging up under the tractor (I did learn to reverse the hitch bolt) You can hang a piece or plastic rug runner if you do have an issue. As for twine, yes my unit is picky, but the twine holder can be adjusted if needed, however I like my Briden twine as it stays good on the bales for at least 2 years.

I also like Kuhn's, www.kuhnsmfg.com , on the accumulator and grapple, but for my small acreage I just went with the 4 bale grapple (with custom features) and skipped the accumulator as my tractor was too small. They are great folks to work with. Talk to John Byler, he can guide you based on the equipment you choose.

Good luck.

PS One tool you will need is a good moisture meeter. I use a hand held probe

 

[Gunsel]

I'd like to change the subject a little, I have a Massy Ferguson 124 twine baler and I was doing just great until I loaned it out. I came back all beat up and the knotters wouldn't tie and it was out of time. I have it tying good but I cannot get it in time. I have tried to follow the directions in the book but I still can't come up with the proper timing. I assume you do the set up on the impact stroke and I have no problem with that but I can't get rest to fall in line. Any help would be appreciated.