Gehl round baler

[quicksandfarmer]

I have the opportunity to buy a Gehl RB1400 at what seems to be a reasonable price. The seller doesn't know much about it. Before I go and look at it I've been trying to find out basic information about it and I've basically drawn a blank on internet searching. For starters I'd like to know how big a tractor it takes, what size bale it makes and whether it's adjustable, and how big it is so I know if it will fit in my shed. Anyone have any experience or any leads?

Comments about the general usefulness of this model are welcome too!

 

[Farmer495]

Main thing to be aware of is that Gehl is out of farm implement business.

Found parts manual http://pdf.germanbliss.com/RB1400roundBalerPartsmanual.pdf

Having said that, biggest items to replace on a round baler are belts and bearings, and these are not exactly hard to find.

 

[DT86]

Like previously mentioned, Gehl is out of the AG business.


As for specs...Let's try google... http://pdf.germanbliss.com/RB1400roundBalerPartsmanual.pdf

 

[MMagis]

They’re still quite popular around me, in fact everyone around me are still using Gehl round balers. As far as I know, baler parts are readily available (haybines are another story). I THINK the 1400 is a 4x4 variable chamber baler. I suspect your tractor will be marginal as far as horsepower, but that will be the case for any round baler. I’ve used a slightly larger tractor with a 4x4 fixed chamber baler on hilly ground, and though the tractor didn’t like it, I managed. Variable chamber balers are usually lighter than fixed, so you probably won’t have any trouble if your ground is relatively flat.

 

[powerscol]

Just a note if you can find one Massy does make a round baler that only needs 30HP to run. Might be worth looking into. I have learned the hard way, if it is a private seller check out why he is selling. He is selling for a reason and unless he traded up, beware. Have him demo the unit for you...you can always unroll a bale and have him rebale it

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Just a note if you can find one Massy does make a round baler that only needs 30HP to run. Might be worth looking into. I have learned the hard way, if it is a private seller check out why he is selling. He is selling for a reason and unless he traded up, beware. Have him demo the unit for you...you can always unroll a bale and have him rebale it

What I'm really looking for is Massey 1734 (which I understand can come labeled as a Hesston 5530,530, 730, MF 1734,and Case 8420 and probably more). According to the specs it makes a bale 39" wide and as little as 30" in diameter (or as much as 53"). Requires 35 HP which is what I have. My tractor is pretty stout but if I find it being overwhelmed I figure I can make smaller bales. But I just haven't been able to find one for sale.

The Gehl seems to be similar but I can't find any info. The guy who has it is a used car dealer who took it in a trade! So he's no help.

I appreciate the comments, keep them coming. Thanks.

 

[Bird]

I don't remember the model number, but all my hay baling was done with a Gehl; 5' wide bales with diameter adjustable from 4' to 6' in 6" increments. Nearly all we did were 5 x 5; twine tied, and the owner wished he'd gotten the wrap instead. All was done with 25 year old Oliver tractor, believed to be 95 hp. It pulled the baler easily in 5th gear, but you'd notice the governor kick in if you started uphill.

 

[Farmer495]

I was after a 8420/1734 as well, wanted a small cheap baler. I am glad I did not get one. no shear pin protection and tiny narrow wheels etc.

Look for a NH 630. Book says 35 PTO HP to run, makes 4x4 bale, but you can make them smaller i.e. 4 by 3 etc if you want. Ran one for years on 42 PTO and while a bigger tractor is better, only wish for more power with full chamber going uphill.

You will be baling hay, but maybe not flying....

 

[jltrent]

They make a 4' wide bale by 5' high. It is the same baler as a Ford 551 which Gehl made for Ford. I had a neighbor that used a 55 hp tractor and it would pull it good. They make an excellent bale, but the hay needs to be not to dry or it want start a bale because it has a large one piece belt that covers the whole floor and dry hay will not start good. Also when that belt breaks and it will they cost a small war pension.

ford round baler - Implement Alley Forum - Yesterday's Tractors

 

[5030]

From a commercial forage grower / harvester (me), cheap and good concerning hay tools don't go together at all.

Secondly, you need at least 40 pto with good torque rise for any round bailer that makes a 4x4 or bigger and twine works but net is better. I started out with a NH 638 twine bailer and it's slow compared to net and on level ground in dry hay 40 pto works..... marginally.

You'll find that most Geihl parts cross reference to JD Pioneer now. I own a Geihl rotary rake and it's all Pioneer replacement parts.

 

[powerscol]

"The guy who has it is a used car dealer who took it in a trade! So he's no help."

Run away my friend

If your trying to find the 1734, get with you local NH dealer. They have the ability to search the country for you through their network and may have some demo units available.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

I always like Gehl. I have had several Gehl balers. Like the other post said dry hay but not too dry, closed throat with a big belt on the bottom. Once the hay enters baler it passes between a suspended steel roller and the big belt and the belt tumbles it over. Top belts add shape and tension.
Anyway here in Tennessee if a 1400 had perfect belts, looked good and worked good about $1500 would be a good price. less than perfect or needing fixing is near scrap iron.
Parts are normally not an issue.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

"The guy who has it is a used car dealer who took it in a trade! So he's no help."

Run away my friend

If your trying to find the 1734, get with you local NH dealer. They have the ability to search the country for you through their network and may have some demo units available.

The problem I'm seeing is that in my price range ("well-used") shipping for any distance would be more than the value of the baler. So I'm trying to find something local. Of course, Rhode Island isn't exactly the agricultural heartland, the closest NH dealer is 100 miles away in Connecticut.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I always like Gehl. I have had several Gehl balers. Like the other post said dry hay but not too dry, closed throat with a big belt on the bottom. Once the hay enters baler it passes between a suspended steel roller and the big belt and the belt tumbles it over. Top belts add shape and tension.
Anyway here in Tennessee if a 1400 had perfect belts, looked good and worked good about $1500 would be a good price. less than perfect or needing fixing is near scrap iron.
Parts are normally not an issue.

That's about what I'm seeing in terms of price. Do you have any recollection of minimum HP or whether you can reduce the bale size to get away with lower HP?

Thanks.

 

[powerscol]

Actually my typo you need to find a Massey Ferguson dealer for the 1734...Sorry. Looks like 3 dealers are located in you back yard. When I got my baler it was 150 miles away - worked out a deal on delivery as dealer was wanting to sell.