Wire Baler VS Twine Pros/Cons

[CDennyRun]

I've been looking around for a long time for a baler with the Wisconson motor, or NH 65 since my tractor is a little small to power a 14x16" baler. Most of the self powered balers I'm finding are wire, not twine, and are going for pretty cheap in "good working condition". NH 65's are almost impossible to find, so this leaves me with the self powered option. I know wire is a pain if left in the field, and gets caught in mowers, rakes, balers and whatever else. Wire also rusts.. but other than that, what's the big drawback? Any pros vs twine?

Any input would help. Thanks!

Chris

 

[stuckmotor]

I don't know the price of bailing wire vs twine but suspect it's the prime drawback.

 

[2458n]

I don't know the price of bailing wire vs twine but suspect it's the prime drawback.

X2 + the motor is getting hard to find parts for.

 

[glockky]

Denny what kind of tractor do you have?

How much hp?

I would say cost of wire is a big issue. It's $75 for 6500ft

2 rolls of 9000 sisal is $50

I personally don't like wire if I have to handle the bales. Even with heavy gloves on it hurts my hands.

 

[Tx Jim]

Wire @ $75 per box makes wire cost per bale about 21 cents per bale depending on average bale length. I try to bale 34-36'' long bales. Boxes of wire weight close to 100#s each. Baling wire quality isn't the same as it was back in the earlier days. Since oil has gone up wire manufacturers skimp on the amount of oil applied to new wire. If I wasn't in the twilight of my custom hay baling career I trade my JD 347 wire baler for a twine baler.

 

[CDennyRun]

Denny what kind of tractor do you have?

How much hp?

I would say cost of wire is a big issue. It's $75 for 6500ft

2 rolls of 9000 sisal is $50

I personally don't like wire if I have to handle the bales. Even with heavy gloves on it hurts my hands.

Yeah, I kinda figured wire cost would be a factor. My tractor is a Ford 1715 4x4 with 27 engine HP, and 23PTO. I know a bigger tractor would ultimately be the right answer, but I can't do that yet. I only plan on baling under 1000 a year or so, just for our family's animals. Not planning to bale for profit.

Chris

Edit: My 1715 is .5 pto hp less than the 1720 pulling a Ford 532 in this video, but he said his pto clutch would slip after a bit. As mine sits, it weighs more than his, being that it's 4x4 with the loader, and almost identical dimensions otherwise.New Holland 172 pulling Ford 532 - YouTube

 

[zzvyb6]

Heck, I ran my JD 14T baler with a 22 hp Yanmar for a few years without problesm (didn't have live power, either). Now It runs nice with my JD 1070. Key is sharp plunger and fixed knives. Also keeping the rpm up to rated 540. I'm putting out some very nice, heavy bales here.

Hay Baling 214 - YouTube

 

[hosspuller]

As you're using the hay for yourself, the choice is yours. But if you want to sell hay to horse people, the overwhelming choice is twine. I did a survey on a horse forum. The geography was all over the country. Most of the responses came from women.

 

[CDennyRun]

Heck, I ran my JD 14T baler with a 22 hp Yanmar for a few years without problesm (didn't have live power, either). Now It runs nice with my JD 1070. Key is sharp plunger and fixed knives. Also keeping the rpm up to rated 540. I'm putting out some very nice, heavy bales here.

Hay Baling 214 - YouTube

I watched that video last night! ha ha. Thanks for the input. What model Yanmar? Are you on yesterdaystractors too; under Bill Cobb?

As you're using the hay for yourself, the choice is yours. But if you want to sell hay to horse people, the overwhelming choice is twine. I did a survey on a horse forum. The geography was all over the country. Most of the responses came from women.

When I worked at a local feed store, and we had wire bales I would use hooks; because the wire's would dig in pretty bad after a while. I know the pain! Luckily my wife is tough as nails, and can deal with it.

Chris

 

[Tx Jim]

CDennyRun
You can really learn to hate the Wisconsin engine on a sq baler if so equipped as they have a long history of being very difficult to restart if shut off at operating temp. Back when engine powered sq balers were more prevalent I've witnessed the engines sitting idling through lunch break for this very hard starting reason. Although not a SCUT or CUT I've sq baled hay with my JD BO with trans driven pto shaft that has only 14HP. No I wouldn't desire to do a large field but it baled about 5 acres of hay.