JD214T square baler

• Hobby farm

I would check following: Needle adjusment - as it passes the knotter frame - to make sure it's putting twine across the right place. The needles should just lightly rub the frames. Twine disc adjustment - pretty obvious. You want the twine in the slot not outside of it. Compare how the billhooks are holding the twine. Make sure there isn't any rough spots at the end or that it's not bent. Both bill hooks should look the same. Trip the knotters and watch the tying cycle while you have someone turning the baler flywheel by hand. Go slow enough where you can compare both sides. If your by yourself, you can do the same thing by taking the knotter loose where it attaches with the single bolt on the lower end and roll it upward. It'll move the knife arm across just as if you tripped the tying cycle. I would also make sure the knife is sharp and that the roller ball at the opposite end is free from flat spots. You should also check for wear in the two plates that retain the twine where it comes out of the twine box. This sets your twine tension. If it's grooved or the spring not adjusted correctly you may not be keeping the twine held tight enough. A manual would be a great thing to have as there are clearances for the knife arm across the bill hook etc.

If nothing else I would find out what the cost of a new knotter assembly is and expect to replace the "bad" one. You may be able to negotiate the price of the baler down by what that cost is. I've not bought any knotter assy's, but when I priced last for my NH it was just under $200.