Question concerning getting the right round baler

[MikeinMich]

So I have a kubota MX5800 and I've been bailing with a NH 311, which works pretty well, but I've been having a bit of trouble looking for suckers - I mean helpers- to put up the hay. So due to this, and because I have a hay hut and net that I like to use round bales with too, I've been thinking about getting a smaller round baler . I think a 4x4 one is pretty much what my limit will be, especially given that I have hills. I know nothing about them, of course, just that the new ones are pretty expensive (understatement of the year). So I'd like to stay under 5k, but could go a little higher. As an end hay user, I like net wrap, but I'm fine with twine because I store the hay inside. I'm also very much into low maintenance/reliability - I have my eye on a 483 New Idea that isn't too much, but I'd love some more input. Thanks in advance !!

 

[sweettractors]

So I have a kubota MX5800 and I've been bailing with a NH 311, which works pretty well, but I've been having a bit of trouble looking for suckers - I mean helpers- to put up the hay. So due to this, and because I have a hay hut and net that I like to use round bales with too, I've been thinking about getting a smaller round baler . I think a 4x4 one is pretty much what my limit will be, especially given that I have hills. I know nothing about them, of course, just that the new ones are pretty expensive (understatement of the year). So I'd like to stay under 5k, but could go a little higher. As an end hay user, I like net wrap, but I'm fine with twine because I store the hay inside. I'm also very much into low maintenance/reliability - I have my eye on a 483 New Idea that isn't too much, but I'd love some more input. Thanks in advance !!

We have 12 rollers shown in the link below. NI or JD are pretty bullit proof. Ken Sweet
Great deals from Sweetfarmequipment in Round-Balers- | eBay Stores

 

[rtimgray]

I have a New Idea 484 that I picked up a few years ago because of a situation similar to yours. The only trouble I've had with mine is a couple of bearings going bad (which aren't too bad to replace) and my automatic tie feature on my monitor quit. I could send it to be repaired for about $300, but I figured out a way to fix it with a reversing switch and I like using my manual switch better than the old auto-tie.

I use my Kioti DK45 (which is probably just a little smaller than your MX5800) and have no issues with rolling. If I'm in heavy hay and I'm really packing it, sometimes going uphill my engine will lug just a little, but that's pretty rare.

The 484 (and I imagine the 483) make a soft-core roll, so they're not suited to be handled a lot. For the most part, I handle mine once to put up and once to set out. I keep about 2/3 of mine inside, with the last 1/3 being outside for a couple of months between last cutting and first feeding. By the time I get to the end of the pile, the rolls can be in poor condition. I need to get my shelter built, but keep running out of money!

Anyway, good luck with your search. Take care.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My father utilize an old NH chain baler for over 20 years haying for 3 small cattle farms. Didn't make a tight bale but worked good for our Ford 861 loading them. I don't have any experience with the Deere balers only New Holland. RickB is the New Holland expert on here. I am not as familiar with the different model numbers as he is. You should be able to get a good serviceable baler for 5K.

I have a friend that I attend church with that just replaced his baler that burned up in a fire. Make sure to keep some type of fire extinguisher with you. We never did and never had an issue. I know of 3 local farmers who lost their bales due to fire. A bad bearing heats up in a hurry.

 

[Farmer495]

630 NH. I run one, 4x4 bale, twine, still can get parts at NH. I used to run it with 42 PTO HP.

 

[MikeinMich]

Thanks for all the feedback! So of course I go to look again and it’s nowhere to be found. Lol. I found a JD 335 near me for $5500, though. I have an acquaintance who has been baking for a long time. I might have to pay him to go check these things out with me - I’m definitely a little leery about this stuff since I the electronic monitoring thing is definitely not what I’m used to so far.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'm not very familiar with JD smaller rd balers as not many were sold in my area but I think they are good balers. There's not much electronics on a JD 335 rd baler. Later baler after sn 96001 would have electrically operated twine arm. Check belt wear as the cleats have 3 steps & worn out belts don't start a core very well. . I've had good success with JD rd balers having baled over 150,000 bales utilizing them.

 

[RPW]

I've used a Vermeer 605C for about 3 years and did ok. Got fed up with it and upgraded to a Vermeer 5400 and it's been flawless. I ran it my JD 5103 which has about 47 pto hp. Just upgraded my tractor so this year I get to be in A/C. Good luck.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

If you go green get a newer or new baler. They have an economy (mid20s) small roller. The reason is green is very popular and some around here have had multiple owners are worn out and patched up and rebuild cost are like buying new.

 

[Texasmark]

I've used a Vermeer 605C for about 3 years and did ok. Got fed up with it and upgraded to a Vermeer 5400 and it's been flawless. I ran it my JD 5103 which has about 47 pto hp. Just upgraded my tractor so this year I get to be in A/C. Good luck.

There is a 605c for sale around here and it sits and sits and sits. No takers including me.

 

[Texasmark]

A 4x4 is about a 550# bale and it doesn't take much tractor to handle that...45 PTO should be plenty. I run a JD 375 which is a 700# bale with a 57 PTO and usually no grunting...wasn't any today and I got my peas baled. Really hard to go wrong with a JD roller.

 

[powerscol]

This unit might be the ticket for you Massey Ferguson | 17 Series Economy Round Baler Their bigger units take more PTO power than you have.

 

[MikeinMich]

So of course I found a gorgeous jd 547. I think that痴 too big though. Sigh

 

[aczlan]

So of course I found a gorgeous jd 547. I think thatç—´ too big though. Sigh

You said that you need to buy a bigger tractor? We can help with that

Aaron Z

 

[DJ54]

Love my JD 335..!! I bought it in approx. 2000 I think. It was 2 years old, with less than 3,000 bales through it. Bought it for 6G. A buddy of mine I took with me to look at that did custom baling, said if I didn't buy it, he would. Pretty simple, basic machine, with hydraulic tie, and audible alarm. I only bale between 50-60 bales a year for the horses, so still only about 4,000 bales through it. Still has original belts,and the only repair that comes to mind, is that bale gauge cable on the right side, and have re-spliced 3 belts I believe, where they were starting to tatter on the edges.

I bought it with intentions of lasting me the rest of my life. So far, so good..!!

 

[glockky]

What tractor are you running the JD 335 with?

I just picked one up last month.

 

[kthompson]

New to hay, had coastal sprig last year. I went with small square as they will be totally for sale and profit margin. How about equipment to handle the square bales?

 

[sweettractors]

New to hay, had coastal sprig last year. I went with small square as they will be totally for sale and profit margin. How about equipment to handle the square bales?

We can get you fixed up with a cutter,rake and baler package deal. Checkout out inventory here. Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment - New & Used Farming Tools & Equipment | Tractor Equipment, Implements

 

[StuartDK45SE]

I'm in the same boat. Bought my dad's old place with 10 acres of formerly beautiful jigs grass. He used to have someone square bale it but they didn't take care of it and now I'm trying to get it back into shape. It is tempting for me to look at small square balers because I think if I can get my grass quality back up, it would be better margins. BUT, with a square baler comes the added headache of handling them. You can try to get them sold in the field , but timing on that is always stressful. And stacking and storing that many bales inside isn't an option for me. So I am looking at small round balers that my DK45 (36 PTO) can handle. That way I can stack and store them much easier if I need to and horse people will still buy good quality jiggs grass in round bales.


The issues I am seeing is there are very few small used round balers on the Gulf Coast.

 

[glockky]

I successfully ran a case 8420 with a Mahindra 3616 31PTOhp on flat ground. To be honest it really didn’t even work the tractor that hard.