Square baler for the MF-135 diesel

[flusher]

My list of vintage balers for the 135 includes the MF-3, MF-35, NH-273, JD-14T and the IH-46.

Are these the correct size balers for a 135-size tractor?

Any others come to mind?

How about availability now on the used market?

Which of these old balers are numerous, which are rare?

I'm in baler-buying mode right now and was wondering which MF baler was used predominantly on MF-135's way back when.

 

[jwcinpk]

I have a IH McCormick 46 that I used with my MF 135 before buying my Mahindra 6000. Neighbors use MF 12s with their 135s. One runs a 224 MF, but it spends a lot of time waiting on the hp from the tractor. Myself I'm looking for a New Holland 570 or MF 224.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My MF 150 is essentially the same power train as a 135. I baled quite a bit with that tractor and at first I used a New Holland 273, then a Deere 336. I just recently bought a pristine MF #12. I'm going to give it a fair shot at replacing the Deere, but in my estimation, the Deere 336 was just about as good a baler as ANY model from ANY brand.

The 135/150 will handle any of those balers so long as you don't try to plow through giant windrows at breakneck speeds.

 

[mark.r]

Very good thread, hope you don't mind me kind of interloping. Although my machine is a bit newer the specs are nearly the same as the MF135. Mine is rated at 45hp/36pto. So I am interested in any of these older balers as well. I haven't written off some of newer models either if someone wants to speak on some of those as well as long as my DK can handle them.

 

[mark.r]

My MF 150 is essentially the same power train as a 135. I baled quite a bit with that tractor and at first I used a New Holland 273, then a Deere 336. I just recently bought a pristine MF #12. I'm going to give it a fair shot at replacing the Deere, but in my estimation, the Deere 336 was just about as good a baler as ANY model from ANY brand.

I happened upon this video with a late model JD4710 pulling a JD338 baler. Looked like a nice set up. I was looking at the specs and this tractor is rated at 47hp/41pto. Prices still looking to be as high as 10k for a nice 338 but I would be more comfortable paying for a well maintained, lightly used one that is not going to need lots of work.

YouTube - Baling Hay

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Mark, how much land do you expect to bale? Any of these older small balers will work if you are on flat ground and only want to do less then 20 acres. Just buy the best baler you can find as most of these older balers will do a decent job without breaking the bank.

 

[mark.r]

Mark, how much land do you expect to bale? Any of these older small balers will work if you are on flat ground and only want to do less then 20 acres. Just buy the best baler you can find as most of these older balers will do a decent job without breaking the bank.

Right now I have access to a plot of 20 acres and second smaller run of about 4 acres. It's not the flatest land to be honest but not infinitely steep. Running a bit slower will be key I believe.

That of course is not even making phone calls. My county extention office has a list of locals that own land of different acreages but don't own equipment/cattle/horses that they offer up for people who want to bale. From talking to other cow/round balers it seems that most locals just did what they needed and there was lots of people on the list that never were called. My friend owns the 20 acres and is on the list and they have not been called for two years. Of course the quality is always in question but I figure with the explosion of construction in Northern Virginia I can always bale straw for the contruction companys at least to get my feet wet and learn for the first year. My lively hood doesn't depend on this and I have some help which is good.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Depending on how much hill there is I would not want to pull a wagon behind a small tractor and baler. Not unless you can manage the hill. Bale the steeper sections first then the flat sections once you get a little weight in the wagon.

Your tractor is actually too small to put up any large amount of hay unless you buy a second larger tractor. I use 3-4 tractors while baling and it can take me up to a month to bale 100 acres depending on the weather. If I was limited to a smaller baler and one small tractor I would try the 20 acres and see how it goes. If you can see a market in your area then expand how you see fit.

One thing I can tell you is if your starting from scratch it will take a considerable chunck of money to get going. If your field is rough and weedy you need to first plow it and reseed. If you don't have the equipment to do this you are either buying or hiring it done and then you have to find and buy your equipment and fix it up if it is used in hopes it won't break down. This is all before you even sell one bale of hay. Then you have to hope the horse market didn't take too big of a hit in your area and there is still a large demand for hay.

I will have all of my equipment paid off this year and I have no idea if I am going to be able to continue haying anyway which kind of sucks. I wish you the best but if possible try and stay small so you can enjoy this and still have time for your family. I love this work but I do not like spending all of June working long hours in the field when I would rather be spending the time with my daughter. A lot of the baling days I am gone before she is awake and do not get home till she is asleep. So if I have to give it up I won't miss it too much. I will sell off my baler and buy a smaller one so I can bale up a small section for my own use. Take care.

 

[flusher]

I happened upon this video with a late model JD4710 pulling a JD338 baler. Looked like a nice set up. I was looking at the specs and this tractor is rated at 47hp/41pto. Prices still looking to be as high as 10k for a nice 338 but I would be more comfortable paying for a well maintained, lightly used one that is not going to need lots of work.

YouTube - Baling Hay

Nice baler, nice tractor in that video.