Which baler to buy??

Lawnman TX · May 6, 2015

Run hay on about 200 acres and get asked to do more all the time. I am looking at making about 1000 rolls a year

I am running a Vermeer 605k and it makes one **** of a tight heavy bale, but most of the people I sell to don't get why the big bales cost more! Sooooo I'm looking for a 4' baler. A Vermeer dealer near me has a used 604 m that has updates for $14k. He is going to be getting back to me on bale count and details. He has always done me right and bends over backwards to accommodate his customers.

Next I'm looking at a basic 5420 rebel twine only. For about $20k or a case/nh 450 utility at about $18k.

I have always heard good things about the 5410/20 rebel balers? How many bales are you running through before you are wearing them out/ or pushing them too hard.

Anyone have the case/nh 450 / 455 utility baler, have you been happy with them? How many bales are you running.

Thanks
I h

foreman Etexas · May 7, 2015

I have the 5410 and now after 3yrs close to 1,000 bales,so I cant say much. I have had problems one time getting the net adjusted but that's worked out now. I busted several belts but it all started when was trying get hay that had been rained on several days up,balled some net tangled in grass up in one place causing the belts to break.Ever since they updated my monitor when the net issues started and I could have been oversizing the bales to cause the belts to break also(settings in monitor were all different). I am just saying it could have been more operator error than the equipment,trying to get use to everything.I got the 5410 cause I know some guys that have been running the 5400 for years without issues. I don't know what has changed on the 5420 from the 5410 but overall I have a been pleased with mine...Hope this helps

Skyfish25 · May 7, 2015

I would take the M over a rebel any day. As long as mechanically sound and belts run true. I feel your pain, make 25% more bales, charge less but get more. People just don't understand volume, unless they're smart cattle producers. Less spoilage on the bigger bales, in percent of each bale.

Tx Jim · May 8, 2015

Having baled well over 150,000 bales with a JD rd baler my vote is for a JD baler. I traded a 467 with 30,000 bales on monitor for the one I have now that has 19,000 bales on it.

foreman Etexas · May 8, 2015

2013 JOHN DEERE 459

Lawnman TX · May 9, 2015

Well The m fell through, the guy decided not to trade it in this year on a super m my dealer has for $25, with only 4k bales on it. I might go for it, but have to talk to the bank, Vermeer will only go 3 years on used equipment finance.

Foreman, how many bales per hour can you make running coastal in descent windrows?

I'm just not a Deere guy, I'll kick those around though.

Thanks for the input.

Anyone have the 450 utility or 455 a ???

foreman Etexas · May 9, 2015

Never thought about timing,on a thick windrow and no problems with the net,it's a pretty good bit. The net takes two full revolutions and is done,say 5/6 seconds. Depends if pasture is rough,what mph I can drive. Fastest I ever baled was 6mph and I was out running a rain but I just rather stay around 4/4.5mph comfortable for me.The Rebel has never had any trouble starting a bale or you don't have to start off slow,it's going to suck it up and being a 5x4 if you have a dang good windrow it doesn't take much time and your kicking one out.

I made a couple YouTube videos but grass was horrible that year.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DMe5x1Y1fH0

Tx Jim · May 9, 2015

Lawnman TX said:
I'm just not a Deere guy, I'll kick those around though.

Around where I live a person would wear out a pickup driving around looking for many rd balers in the field baling other than JD. I can bale around 30 bales per hour that measure 4X5.5 in 2 bale to the acre Coastal. Drought in last few years has limited the production per acre.

Skyfish25 · May 9, 2015

I keep forgetting your going to 4x5(4' wide 5' tall). If you have a hesston/ Massey Dealer look at the 1745. Very good value and makes good hay. It will make a bale just over 5', I think it list 5'2" or 5'4" in the manual. Then you can get a true 5' bale. JD stuff has come a long way since the 500(run from those). But I feel there is better value out there. It also depends on the dealer(s) close by.

I have Vermeer, Massey Ferguson, Deere, New Holland all fairly close. For 4x5 it would be the Massey 1745 all the way. A 5x6, 50/50 Massey or Vermeer. May have to demo, but no plans on that. I hire someone to do my 5x6 at present time. He uses a 605L Vermeer, very tight bale(1600-1800 lbs ideal conditions). Only trouble he ever has is the net wrap system.

I square most hay except first cut, back is still strong. Or I'm a sucker for punishment. But I'm a STO and still rent a square baler from neighbor. Very old New Holland. Keep telling wife I'm buying a 1839 or 1840 MF. She laughs at me.

Lawnman TX · May 12, 2015

Any input on a case rb464?
Supposedly it is the same as a new holland br7070?

Lawnman TX · May 15, 2015

Any new holland or case fans here?

I found a br7060 with net and 500 bales on it for $16k,

Or a case rb464 which is supposed to be the same baler with 3000 bales on it for $15k

Or a Vermeer 604 m with new belts and bearings 500 bales ago, and rebuilt pickup about 1000 bales ago for $17k. Has 7000 bales on it, bale expert with net and twine

Any more input.

Bigfoot62 · May 17, 2015

Tx Jim said:
Having baled well over 150,000 bales with a JD rd baler my vote is for a JD baler. I traded a 467 with 30,000 bales on monitor for the one I have now that has 19,000 bales on it.

I'm with Jim.
My first pick is a JD. I wouldn't be afraid of a Vermeer or NH, but they're not a JD.
And, be patient. Now is probably not the best time to be buying. Wait until the end of the season.
5 years ago I bought a used, but very clean, JD 457. Had 6000 rolls on it. Paid $10k. It was ready to bale. I've replaced the driveshaft, a couple chains and had one belt re-laced. That's it.

PMA · May 18, 2015

Lawnman TX said:
Any input on a case rb464? Supposedly it is the same as a new holland br7070?

I have a case rb454 and it's been a good baler. I cut around a 100 acres a year

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

farmer2009 · May 20, 2015

We run a 5400 Rebel. Biggest drawback to it is it's twine only. No net option. Bale 400-500 bales a year for last 3 years. Bought used with 600 bales on it. Previous owner never adjusted belts and they didn't run straight so edges are worn. Only reason we have considered rebelting it. Have had to replace a couple of the sealed bearings and a few teeth.

Lawnman TX · May 28, 2015

What are y'all's thoughts on a 2013 Deere 458 standard. There is one near me for 13k with 2000 bales and monitor. Does not appear to have gathering wheels or a ramp. Twine only.

I have a deal worked out on a 450 utility with net and twine, dual pick up wheels, gathering wheels and a ramp. I will probably just go with it instead of someone else's problem.

Who knows, it may never dry up enough to cut and bale here. This old clay is holding some water.

foreman Etexas · May 28, 2015

Lawnman TX said:
What are y'all's thoughts on a 2013 Deere 458 standard. There is one near me for 13k with 2000 bales and monitor. Does not appear to have gathering wheels or a ramp. Twine only.

I have a deal worked out on a 450 utility with net and twine, dual pick up wheels, gathering wheels and a ramp. I will probably just go with it instead of someone else's problem.

Who knows, it may never dry up enough to cut and bale here. This old clay is holding some water.

Without the ramp you will have to back up everytime and dump bale. I prefer the gathering wheels to get a more even bale and not miss any hay,when hugging one side or another. Just my opinion. The net wrap is a nice option to have...

Tx Jim · May 28, 2015

foreman Etexas said:
I prefer the gathering wheels to get a more even bale and not miss any hay,The net wrap is a nice option to have...

Once one operates a mega-wide pickup baler with no gathering wheels required to make a level bale and netwrap you'll think you died and went to heaven.

foreman Etexas · May 28, 2015

Tx Jim said:
Once one operates a mega-wide pickup baler with no gathering wheels required to make a level bale and netwrap you'll think you died and went to heaven.

TxJim I would still get past the mega wide pickup,atleast the gathering wheel gives me something to shoot for,lol.

I been itching to get the TL100 in front the baler and not have to remove the cutter from one tractor to pull double duty this year.

Lawnman TX · May 28, 2015

Tx Jim said:
Once one operates a mega-wide pickup baler with no gathering wheels required to make a level bale and netwrap you'll think you died and went to heaven.

The 604 m had the wide pickup and looked good, it was rough from being run in the sand and needed chains and sprockets, and the pickup gone through.

The big commercial baler just isn't in the budget yet.

Lawnman TX · May 28, 2015

My first baler was a Hesston 5510. No gathering wheels, no monster, no autotie, and regular pickup.

I still could make a descent level bale, just had a sore neck. Just watch the belts for slack.