Verneer 504 Suoer I baler problems

mspaeth53 · Oct 11, 2013

My son in law just bought a used Vermeer 504 super I baler and we are having a little problem. The bales will start out roling tight then about half way the bales become very loose. This is our first time using a round baler and any help would be greatful.

Bigfoot62 · Oct 12, 2013

OK, a little clarification please.
Halfway through each bale (bale core tight, but outside of roll loose)
or halfway through the field? (example: first 20 bales tight, next 20 bales loose)

mspaeth53 · Nov 3, 2013

the bales have e tight core and are loose on the outer half

Bigfoot62 · Nov 3, 2013

mspaeth53 said:
the bales have e tight core and are loose on the outer half

OK, that helps narrow it down a bit.

A few things to check:
I believe that baler has four large tension springs, two on each side. Make sure that none are broken.
The belts need to have the proper tension, and not be worn "slick." (but that usually will also cause problems starting a roll as well)
Low tractor rpm's. The baler needs to run at 540.
Something else that can cause it is if any of the drive chains are loose (or worn out).
Excessive travel speed can also do that. The longer the hay stays in the baling chamber, the tighter the roll. (if the baler is working correctly)

Tx Jim · Nov 3, 2013

Does tailgate stay completely closed? Have you tried baling a bale with hyd QD's unplugged after gate has been closed?

farmer2009 · Nov 17, 2013

504 super I that makes it an older baler and if I remember correctly some of those baler had a closed chamber design the draw back to it was what you described a tight center and loose edges. Now most have a variable chamber design which eliminates this for the most part. I would check everything the others have suggested but it may just be the baler. IIRC some ran an open chamber design which was the opposite a loose center and a tight outer. Slowing down ground speed or smaller windrows may help too.

HayDR · Nov 27, 2013

farmer2009 said:
504 super I that makes it an older baler and if I remember correctly some of those baler had a closed chamber design the draw back to it was what you described a tight center and loose edges. Now most have a variable chamber design which eliminates this for the most part. I would check everything the others have suggested but it may just be the baler. IIRC some ran an open chamber design which was the opposite a loose center and a tight outer. Slowing down ground speed or smaller windrows may help too.

Vermeer I Balers were made until 1998. The 504I baler is an open throat design. Vermeer made the first open throat belt baler in 1975 with the 605E baler.

bulldog69 · Dec 27, 2013

What kind of hyd pressure are you running? I have the same baler and my pressure runs around 900 - 950 psi. It rolls a nice tight roll from start to finish. We rolled about 1000 rolls this year and didn't have any trouble. The only time I have problems with mine is baling short grass. It doesn't seem to like it as well.