Looking for new square baler

[Dirtyho]

I know this has been discussed but couldn't find anything specific to these particular models. I'm looking at John Deere 336 or nh 570 and 575 any thoughts on these good bad. I only do about 1500-2000 bales a year but I'm looking for a baler I won't constantly be working on. I have experience with the 336 but had a lot of problems not sure if it was the baler or not I know people swear by the 336 maybe I had a lemon. Thanks for any help you can pass along

 

[Tx Jim]

I think a JD 336 isn't as high capacity as the NH 570/575. The only 570's I been around wouldn't make sq bales but it could have been the operators fault.

 

[JasG]

All 3 should do a good job. IMO if they have kicker/throwers, the Deere works better in tight areas, the NH on hills that you drive up and down. The Deere kicker going down hill will tend to throw bales at times straight up, but that is going down a steep slope. The NH thrower will tend to strip leaves off the outside of the bale. Also I think because of the auger Deere makes a much nicer bale. The ends of the stems seem to not be on the sides of the bale with the strings. NH wades the hay into the chamber every which way and about 1/2 the stem ends are on the sting sides of the bales.

Around here the biggest problem with the small square balers is most dealers now don't have people who know how to set them up anymore. Most of the farmers have gone to round or large squares. I've re-timed a couple of 336 balers that dealer mechanics timed off in the last few years. My experience has been that 95% of the problems are in the set-up with either brand. Depending on the hay the set up of the feeder forks, wedges, etc make a difference.

Both brands look over the bale chamber for wear and cracks, look the knotters and needles over good. Make sure they don't look like a needle struck the knotter or has been oddly repaired. Loot at the drawbars on both ends, for cracks and slop. The Deere look at the flywheel side axle, they seem to bend or break.

 

[AKfish]

If I'm not mistaken, you can likely buy 2, JD336 balers for what you'd have to pay for a NH 570. But... as Tx Jim mentioned the 570/575 will outbale the 336, too. If you want to better compare apples to apples; you might look for a NH 273 square baler.

NH makes very good hay equipment. Leader in the forage industry.

You won't go wrong with either models - provided all the innards are in good running condition.

AKfish

 

[RickB]

The choice can be made by considering the following:
Price/condition of the particular unit being considered.
Availability of local parts & service.
Preference of pan style kicker or belt thrower, if equipped.

A decent 336 or a 570, or 575 will make many thousands of square bales per year.
Any or all can be found in good to excellent shape, or completely worn out.

 

[Dirtyho]

Thanks for the info I appreciate all of your input. I found a nice 570 with a 72 thrower looked in real nice condition kept in the barn didn't need anything has electric thrower control no hydro bale tension he's looking for 10,500 probably going to pull the trigger

 

[RickB]

Sounds like a fair price if it's in good condition. Wonder if it has Pine Plains Tractor stickers on it?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have seen 575's listed for less in very good condition. If your not in a hurry keep looking around or try to negotiate the price a little more Should be able to find a good one in the $9k range. I paid $7500 for my 575 with 72 thrower 8 years ago. The only problems I have had with it was with the thrower and RickB helped me finally figure out what was wrong. Someone "repaired" it before I bought it and didn't do it properly and it kept causing failures. Since Rick told me what was the problem it has not failed me since. The baler has ran great. The first year was a learning experience but since then I've been extremely happy with it.

 

[RickB]

I have seen 575's listed for less in very good condition. If your not in a hurry keep looking around or try to negotiate the price a little more Should be able to find a good one in the $9k range. I paid $7500 for my 575 with 72 thrower 8 years ago. The only problems I have had with it was with the thrower and RickB helped me finally figure out what was wrong. Someone "repaired" it before I bought it and didn't do it properly and it kept causing failures. Since Rick told me what was the problem it has not failed me since. The baler has ran great. The first year was a learning experience but since then I've been extremely happy with it.

There are almost 200 570 and 575 balers listed on Tractorhouse today and not a single one did I see listed with a 72 thrower and priced at $7500. I think it fair to say that $10,500 is below the average listed asking price.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

There are almost 200 570 and 575 balers listed on Tractorhouse today and not a single one did I see listed with a 72 thrower and priced at $7500. I think it fair to say that $10,500 is below the average listed asking price.

I'll agree it is a fair price, just mentioned that he could find a better price if he wasn't in a hurry. My price was 8+ years ago but was extremely low for what I was getting at the time. I bought the baler with two almost new pequea basket wagons with pequea gears for $11,500 total from a dealer here. I was fortunate to not be in a hurry and looked at a few balers before finally finding the right deal.

 

[JasG]

I have seen 575's listed for less in very good condition. If your not in a hurry keep looking around or try to negotiate the price a little more Should be able to find a good one in the $9k range. I paid $7500 for my 575 with 72 thrower 8 years ago. The only problems I have had with it was with the thrower and RickB helped me finally figure out what was wrong. Someone "repaired" it before I bought it and didn't do it properly and it kept causing failures. Since Rick told me what was the problem it has not failed me since. The baler has ran great. The first year was a learning experience but since then I've been extremely happy with it.

Was your issue with the flywheel breaking off?

A friend of mine bought a NH with the 72 a couple of years ago and that happened. We had the dealer rebuild the upper belt assembly and it happened again after just a couple of hundred bales. This time the side plates twisted and sucked into the roller.

If this was your issue how did you solve it?

In his case I rebuilt it the 2nd time and had a friend of mine mill the flywheel for a taper lock bushing. I also added some spacers between the roller and the side plates. So far so good, but who knows long term. To me it's a poor design that they neck the roller shaft down where the flywheel mounts. They should have left the shaft the full dia and used a better system than 2 set screws to hold the flywheel on.

 

[RickB]

Thanks for the info I appreciate all of your input. I found a nice 570 with a 72 thrower looked in real nice condition kept in the barn didn't need anything has electric thrower control no hydro bale tension he's looking for 10,500 probably going to pull the trigger

I ran the serial number of a 570 with 72 thrower for a customer of mine yesterday. That baler is for sale in Orange County, NY and is several years older than it is represented to be. Here's a tip; The FORD blue oval disappeared from NH equipment no later than Jan 1, 2000.

May not be the same baler, and the one you are looking at can still be worth the asking price.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I ran the serial number of a 570 with 72 thrower for a customer of mine yesterday. That baler is for sale in Orange County, NY and is several years older than it is represented to be. Here's a tip; The FORD blue oval disappeared from NH equipment no later than Jan 1, 2000.

May not be the same baler, and the one you are looking at can still be worth the asking price.

Rick, if it's possible and you don't mind would you be willing to check the year on mine? I'm mostly just curious.

 

[RickB]

Rick, if it's possible and you don't mind would you be willing to check the year on mine? I'm mostly just curious.

PM me the baler serial number.

 

[Dirtyho]

Thanks Rick he said it was a 2004

 

[jagyzf]

Thanks Rick he said it was a 2004View attachment 313252

As Rick said either late 1998 or 1999, no later than January 1, 2000 the Ford was gone from NH equipment, so the machine is al least 1999. Although I thought it might have been even further than that that the name was dropped. Fiat had 10 years to do so and they bought it I think in 1990.

 

[RickB]

Thanks Rick he said it was a 2004View attachment 313252

I don't care what he said. Does it have a Randall sticker on the far side and another dealer sticker on the chamber side?

I'll bet this is the same baler my customer committed to, then backed out of when he found out the true age.

 

[RickB]

As Rick said either late 1998 or 1999, no later than January 1, 2000 the Ford was gone from NH equipment, so the machine is al least 1999. Although I thought it might have been even further than that that the name was dropped. Fiat had 10 years to do so and they bought it I think in 1990.

IIRC it was closer to 1994. Unfortunately I don't recall the exact number I was given. 500 series balers came out in 1988 and the pictured one here has the earliest graphics the series had, including the obvious blue oval. A 2004 machine would have the NH leaf in the same location and probably decals with a black background. 2008 was the last year for these models.

 

[Dirtyho]

As a matter of fact it did have a Randall eq sticker on it. You are the Sherlock homes of the baler world. LOL. I'm still looking there are a lot of balers out there. Thanks again for all your help