The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: JEP on June 11, 2013, 04:43:35 pm
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hi would anyone recommend a new Holland super hayliner 68 baler as i need a baler to do hay so just wondered if this baler would be a good one or a bad one and other makes or model suggestions are also appreciated
many thanks john
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We have a new holland 70 odd baler and it is good as its easy to find parts for, and our old boy who helps with bits has a 68 I think. Ours is ok to find parts for although I think quite a few people have a live one and a dead one to cannibalise for parts :-)) you can get things like new needles etc for our one, online so assume you can for a 68.
They are temperamental (whichever model) as most old small balers are, (think lulling you into false sense of security by doing 3 lovely bales and then spitting out a line of baggy knicker elasticed examples and seeing how long it is til you notice.... :excited: but they are as good as anything else of their age and probably easier to find parts for. You can get photocopy parts and servicing manuals on eBay which is useful.
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They are temperamental (whichever model) as most old small balers are, (think lulling you into false sense of security by doing 3 lovely bales and then spitting out a line of baggy knicker elasticed examples and seeing how long it is til you notice.... :excited:
:roflanim: :roflanim:
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Wether balers of this type are any good is now largely due to how much work theyve done, how well maintained and wether theyve been kept dry. I think a 68 will date from the late fiftyies or sixties so at best its at least 50 years old ! Ive used one very successfully in the recent past, had problem with knotters, but it was down to wear. The knotters are more or less the same on most balers....damn clever chap that invented them !
I currently have a new holland 276...do just a few acres each year but have had no real problems other than the PTO shaft coming loose a coiuple of times: oh yes, and it stopped knotting on one of the knotters last year. After a short period of panic i thought what would i do with my computer, so i removed the strings gave the knotter a good clean, re strung it and off we went. (just like turning your computer off and on again !) After chatting to my farmer mates they said it was most likely the once in a blue moon event where the knot you tie to join the rolls of baler twine together with happens to be in the knotting mechanism when it tries to tie the knot.
As others have said most of the wearing parts seem to be available either from the manufacturer or from places like balerparts.co.uk (some name like that anyway)
Good luck, it is very satisfying doing your own baling, a good tip is to get friendly with someone else near you who also has one, then if you have a major break down half way through your crop, you can get their help, you can offer the same service......specially if rains on the way !
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I used to love baling.... one of my favorite jobs on the farm. I was brought up with bamford balers and worked for a dealer for 10 years setting them up. There are only two basic types of knotter and they are what cause the majority of problems. The baler and the knotters have to be timed, either by chains or drive shafts. The chains need to be kept tight and lubricated. Always get the best baler you can afford and look after it and it should be ok. I found the Welger balers to be one of the best. New holland and International were ok. I used to like the Massey 20 we had because it hardly missed a bale. We now have an old John Deere baler but i find it easier to get parts from the states for it
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Just to add that if you have a New Holland old small square baler and are in NE Scotland (ESP Aberdeenshire) I have found a super chap who can mend and service them. He has mended ours today and is going to service it annually. Very nice chap and not expensive. He is mainly a NH specialist tho, don't think he does other makes.
PM me anyone you have a NH small square baler in the area and need his number :-)))
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Theres an article about Newholland 68 balers in this months Tractor & Machinery mag.
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Theres an article about Newholland 68 balers in this months Tractor & Machinery mag.
I bought it :-) cos the 68 and the 276 we have are quite similar and our log supplier is always telling me about his 68 :-))) its quite a nice piece, some good pics
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OK thanks does anyone have a screen shot of the mag so i can just view the page
thanks john