Timing of the knotter on my 14t JD Baler

[DaveOmak]

You could be right.... My thinking was with 3 chain drives and about 1/2 link per chain slop, that's 1.5 links in length slop by the time the knotter "sees" any tension...
Anywho, it works now...
Chain timing is the heart of the beast...

 

[Tx Jim]

Have you checked to be positively sure that plunger head stop is operating correctly? It's a very sickening feeling to have needles get bent or broke from a malfunctioning PH stop..

 

[DaveOmak]

Thanks.... I knew about bent needles and worked my brain "beyond" it's capabilities for 2 days working through the timing thing and adjusting and re-adjusting.. checking distances... checking the safety dogs and the clearances associated with their engagement.... It all finally came together..
I'd rather be lucky than good... I love this baler... We have a special bond now.... Don't worry, we ain't gettin' hitched....

Quote... "Found the directions to time the baler were wrong... I had to readjust the chains etc. based on the location of the plunger to needles... What a PITA... after maybe 6-10 chain adjustments to the main drive sprocket and chain.... I got it working and have baled hay 6 times... what a blessing.... no missed knots or no missed bales..."

 

[Tx Jim]

I'm curious where did you locate the incorrect timing info?

Granted the short chain(key 7) can be very trying to get installed correctly. I'm glad JD engineers changed how the later model sq balers such as my JD 347 were powered as it only has 2 chains & they're easy to time. Granted I've been repairing JD balers since the late 1960's so I'm no newby.

 

[DaveOmak]

I don't know if it was incorrect info or not... Post #3.... Maybe I didn't understand it....
Anyhow, I do understand mechanical operations a bit and could see where the timing was not doing what needed to be done and made satisfactory adjustments...

 

[Tx Jim]

I don't know if it was incorrect info or not... Post #3.... Maybe I didn't understand it....
Anyhow, I do understand mechanical operations a bit and could see where the timing was not doing what needed to be done and made satisfactory adjustments...

I guess I overlooked post # 3 when I 1st read this thread. I agree I think the measurement(16 3/4" to 18 1/4'') given in post # for feeder fingers is incorrect. I haven't seen a 14T operators manual in many,many yrs but that measurement on a newer model JD IIRC is about 10''-11''. I need to look that spec up to know for sure.