balers and preservative damage

[jimg]

Have some questions about the effect of preservatives on a baler. Ive never known anyone who used them so my knowledge is extremely limited.

Since the preservative is a mild acid is it sufficiently strong to cause long term damage to the sheet metal? Can it be washed off and if so w/ what? That is, is there a wash specifically for it? If not is water enough or should a buffer also be used?

Does the use of preservative detract from the value of a used baler? Does it shorten its working life and/or lead to high maintenance costs? Would you reject a baler used w/ preservatives for that reason alone? If so why?

Im sure there must be other questions but I dont think I know enough about preservatives and their effects to ask (or not) them.

 

[slowzuki]

The acid equipped balers I have looked at didn't seem to show any signs of corrosion, but maybe their owners kept them washed down after? Most people rarely use the acid but like to have it as a back up if the weather is turning.

 

[jimg]

Thanx for the reply! The reason for the questions is Im looking at a NH326 as a possible purchase. The dealer doesnt know much of the history on this machine but did know the former owner ran preservative thru it regularly. He did say its been kept inside until he acquired and now its been outside for some time. From the pics there seems to be a fair amt of rust in the infeed area sheet metal and he said there might be some heavy pitting in the chamber. The pitting could be caused by other things but adding preservative to the mix probably doesnt help...just a guess. His take was it just needs to have hay run thru it and 'slicked up'. Since its a used baler Id rather not buy additional problems along w/ normal wear/tear. However, I really dont know enough about the effect of preservatives on balers to make any sort of intelligent decision one way or the other.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My 575 had a preservative system on it before I bought it. It has the same issues as you describe on the feeding area. However, it has no affect on the hay sliding across it at all. If the rest of the 326 looks to be in good shape go for it. I tried to buy a 326 before I bought the 575 but I dragged my feet for a few days and that was all it took for someone else to buy it. That baler was in amazing condition and was half the price of the 575

 

[jimg]

The rust is bothersome b/c I dont know if its the surface type that goes away after some use or the 'creeping' type ala road salt. You know how a car rots apart from road salt no matter what you do for it? Once it gets started its like cancer. Got some better pics and you can distinctly tell where the unit sat on top of the baler. Now I certain it can be cleaned up BUT will the clean up be in vain?

What you said about your purchase has me thinking...I also know of a 570 close by at a bit less than 1/2 the price of the 326. I believe both balers are pretty close in age but the 570 is probably in better condition. The 570 is an '89 and Id be surprised if the 326 is much older. I can fetch the 570 myself but would need to have the 326 hauled adding about $775 to the bottom line. So, the difference narrows a bit...$5300 vs $7900. Not sure how 'motivated' either seller is but I know both machines have been sitting around for many months.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

A buffered acid like Crop Saver won't do damage to equipment, early systems that used straight acids can take paint right off.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If both balers are in equal condition I would take the 570 as if my memory is correct, the 570 replaced the 326. Maybe Neil or someone else can confirm that or correct me.

I will add that my baler has not rusted any more since I have had it. Above the feeder forks where they ran the hoses you can see the paint is etched and rough but it isn't rusting and I have not done anything special to my baler other then wash it at the end of each season. I have had it for 4 years now and it looks exactly the same as when I bought it so I would not be worried unless the steel is really rusted up bad.

 

[jimg]

The 575 replaced th 326 and the 570 replaced the 316 IIRC.

"I will add that my baler has not rusted any more since I have had it."
OK, this is what I really needed to know. Just wanted to be certain the sheet metal wasnt going to slowly rot. On the baler in question its loosing paint pretty badly all around and you can tell exactly where the preservative unti was on top as the paint has a rusty cast to it.