Square balers

[RichZ]

I had my local farm mechanic go over my friend's square baler that we were going to use, and as I expected, it's a wreck not worth fixing. So I'm in the market for a used square baler with a kicker. I've gotta go as cheap as possible. My mechanic suggested I stick with either New Holland or IH. Any suggestions on decent older models that go cheap? Also any suggestions on models to stay away from??

Thanks!!!

 

[cowboydoc]

How much do you want to spend Rich? If you can afford it go for a John Deere 328. Clean it everytime after you bale with it, grease it before you start everytime, and store it inside.

 

[RichZ]

Richard, I think a 328 is way out of my price range. What do they go for?

 

[MikePA]

Doc, what's the difference between a 328 and a 327? A nearby tractor dealer has a 327 they list as in good condition for $3,200.

 

[cowboydoc]

Rich if you can't afford the 328, $4-9k at auctions, then look at the 327 or the 336. I've seen them down around the $2-3k range and in good condition. The reason I say go with one of those is that the parts are readily available. You don't want to break down, have hay on the ground, and find out you have to wait two days for parts. They are also very good balers.

 

[cowboydoc]

328 model replaced the 327 Mike. Just newer is all.

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Richard! I knew the 328's were top of the line. I'll add the 327 and 336 to my list to look for!

 

[beenthere]

Seems to make sense to stay away from the cheap ones. They are cheap for a good reason, generally. Does that make sense? Maybe there is a flaw in my thinking.

 

[DFB]

RichZ,

In the newest issue of <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.farmingmagazine.com/>FARMING</A>. SIRUM EQUIPMENT CO. over in Montague Ma. (413-367-2481) has an advertisment for used hay equipment. There's a JD336 square baler listed for $2900 and a MF 12 for $1500.

Give 'em a call if there's something there that interests you.

Rich, the wife's stepdad along with his 2 helpers, ol' Wally n' his brother Charlie got in about 1600 bales between the raindrops over last couple of weeks.

Ya better get goin' on it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Good luck

DFB

 

[JimmyO]

Rich, Check out www.machinerylink.com under "hay equipment" and John Deere as the manufacturer. Once it brings up the list click the up arrow above the price column to sort them from the cheapest to the most expensive. There are a bunch of 336's in New York.

Jimmy

 

[Huskerfan]

New Holland makes the best square balers. Look for a used 273. They are cheap and if maintained they will bale for years and never miss a knot. My Father's is 30 years old and bales like the day it was new after 10,000s of bales.
Huskerfan

 

[Hillbilly]

Anyone know anything about the John Deere brand of square balers? Pricing and reliability?

 

[cowboydoc]

What do you want to know about them Hillbilly? You can find the older balers for $1000-2500 and then just go up from there for newer ones. I think they're very reliable.

 

[RichZ]

Richard, I was told that New Holland, and IH balers were easiest to get parts for. Since I'll be getting a used one, how easy is it to get parts for JD balers?

Thanks!!!

 

[RickB]

New Holland and Deere are the only valid choices in an older used square baler. The combination of availability of parts, service and product reliability cannot be matched by any other brand.

 

[cowboydoc]

Who told you that Rich? Back home and around Iowa you can't even hardly find a dealer for New Holland and IH. On the older stuff Deere usually has it in stock or can get it next day. With regard to the others I have literally had to either loan my baler or go bale for guys because they had to wait significant amounts of time for parts, esp. on the older balers.

 

[Hillbilly]

Basically thats it Richard....I have never seen a JD baler in these parts.The majority of them are New Holland and a few older Ford models.I was just wondering who actually made them and if they were reliable or not.
Do you square bale much Richard?
Thanks anyway.

 

[cowboydoc]

Where are you at Hillbilly? If there aren't any JD dealers around and there are dealers for IH and NH then I'd probably buy one of those too. The square balers are 100% made right here in Iowa at Ottumwa. I went down and picked mine up and watched them being made.

As far as square bales I'll probably do between 6 and 7 thousand this year.

 

[Hillbilly]

Rich,
I am in the Ohio River Valley area....I did not know if JD actually made them or not.....there are JD dealers around,just never talked to them about them. 6 to 7 thousand thats a lot of square bales.Do you round bale any?

 

[cowboydoc]

Hillbilly,
We'll hopefully get about 350 round bales put up this year