Fixed vs. Expandable chamber round baler???

[KrumpsBrother]

I'm planning on buying a used baler and need some guidanced on fixed vs. expandable chamber balers. I'll be baling W.W. B-Dahl bluestem; a leafy bluestem making 6 to 10 tons per acre.

Bale size will be 4x4 to 5x6.

So far I'm looking at used Krone, M&W, Vermeer.

All input will be appreciated greatly, as I have experience with a round baler, just a square baler.

KB

 

[HayDR]

Of the round balers currently being sold in the USA over 90% are variable chambered balers. Fixed chamber balers make up a much larger segment in Europe because 80% of the hay harvested in Europe is haylage. Any of the balers you have mentioned will bale hay and do a good job.
You will find out the Vermeer will take hay faster and bale hay with less HP than the balers mentioned. Yes getting the job done as fast as possible is an advantage.

 

[art]

One important factor here is the horsepower needed. The fixed chambers need more horsepower to finish the bale then a variable chamber baler.

Another point is a variable chamber can be tied off far at nearly any size and a fixed chamber baler needs to be full.

 

[KrumpsBrother]

Thanks for the input fellas,
I'm really leaning toward a used Vermeer. There is not a particular brand that is more popular around here, maybe JD?

I have a friend in the truck/tractor business that took a Vermeer 605C on a trade in. Belts look pretty good, but overall condition is ok at best. I think he'll take 500$ for it, but it's probably harder for a beginner like myself to make good bales with it.

My budget is 8000-10000$ for a mower or moco, tedder/rake and round baler. I'll bale 400 to 800 rounds per season based on a 1200lb bale. Does my budget seem in line with the # of bales I'll produce per year?

What general problems should I look out for when shopping for the Vermeer's and other round balers?

Thanks Again

KB

 

[HayDR]

A Vermeer 605C baler is a closed throat baler and will only bale hay in perfect condition. The Value is about correct, $500. You might want a newer baler to learn on.

1. How much hay are you going to bale?
2. What type of hay are you going to harvest?
3. What size tractors do have?

 

[KrumpsBrother]

A Vermeer 605C baler is a closed throat baler and will only bale hay in perfect condition. The Value is about correct, $500. You might want a newer baler to learn on.

1. How much hay are you going to bale?
2. What type of hay are you going to harvest?
3. What size tractors do have?

CCI,

1. 400 to 800 bales - 1200lb ea. per year, maybe more in a wet year.
2. W.W. B-Dahl bluestem, leafy bluestem making 6-10 tons/acre (Already established)
3. 30 hp 4wd compact & 75 hp 4wd utility.
KB

 

[slowzuki]

400-800 bales is not the place to be learning with an old baler. 1 break down ruin a lot of hay. The 75 hp should be able to run all your baler and mower needs. I'm not sure what size your compact is but a small framed 30 hp is a bit light for tedding and raking that much hay. You may wish to go with trailed tedder and rake to squeak out a bit more size implement on your compact but still be able to hitch up to your big tractor.

I hope you understand in that much hay you will be fixing old worn out equipment alot. You may hit it lucky and find an old machine in great shape but it will be priced at more than 500$.

CCI,

1. 400 to 800 bales - 1200lb ea. per year, maybe more in a wet year.
2. W.W. B-Dahl bluestem, leafy bluestem making 6-10 tons/acre (Already established)
3. 30 hp 4wd compact & 75 hp 4wd utility.
KB

 

[HayDR]

CCI,

1. 400 to 800 bales - 1200lb ea. per year, maybe more in a wet year.
2. W.W. B-Dahl bluestem, leafy bluestem making 6-10 tons/acre (Already established)
3. 30 hp 4wd compact & 75 hp 4wd utility.
KB

To get a baler you will not have to work on every time out, you will have to pay $2000-4,500. Do you have a neighbor that would custom bale your hay? I just think with your budget you will not be happy with a $500 baler. I'd buy a good 3 point disc mower, rake and tedder first and depend on a neighbor until the right baler comes along. You will not get any advantage using a haybine on blue stem. You do not really have enough HP or budget money to purchase a good discbine MOCO.
There are no wrong choices but there are better choices that will help your mental health. Down equipment with hay on the ground is not stress you want.

 

[mlauk]

It can be done, I bought a 604K baler, 12' MoCo, and a 10 wheel rake with in the same budget.

 

[slowzuki]

75 ponies if that is pto hp would spin a small disc moco around here. If it is engine hp though, prolly wouldn't be enough, and yeah the budget is tight.

Listen to CCI re the mental health, nothing worse than trying to farm with worn out broken down equipment. Our tedder and rake are junk and it drives me crazy fixing them all the time with hay down.

You do not really have enough HP or budget money to purchase a good discbine MOCO.
There are no wrong choices but there are better choices that will help your mental health. Down equipment with hay on the ground is not stress you want.