Here's the deal

When I got kicked out of the "Farming Club" the first time around, belt balers were just starting to show up and were more or less a total joke. The "only" baler was a NH chainer and nothing else even compared.

This really left an impression on me.

Okay, fast forward to yesterday; I'm talking to a guy who tells me that belt balers are the one and only way to go. He has owned lots of 'em and has never a problem with the belts. The feller convinced me.

So, if you were shopping for a baler to handle alfalfa, what make and model would you be looking for?

Thanks,

Allan

So you're lookin' for a baler, eh? I'm not a big fan of belt or chain balers myself. I run a Claas 44s, which is a 4x4, fixed chamber, 1988 model. The only drawback to this baler, when baling alfalfa is that you can lose some leaf. I don't really know how much more than with belts, but certainly some. I don't make much alfalfa hay, and throughput is my main objective when baling, so I don't fret over this fact. I power it with a 70pto hp TS90, and average over 50 bales per hour in a good crop. That machine has taken a lot of hammering over the years, with over 25000 bales. I've replaced a few rollers and pickup bearings along with the usual number of pickup fingers and guards, but otherwise very little toruble. The roller failures were a result of stone damage.... yes, those fingers will haul a 10 pound stone right in! It's a very reliable high production baler. I do know that in my area, it's a well kept secret.....these balers don't have a high resale value. Some of the old clackety bang NewHolland's go for twice the money, and do a third the work..... Claas also has a line of belt balers, if you are set on belts. BTW, check the hydraulic systems carefully on any fixed chamber baler, as they rely on tight cylinders to keep the chamber closed, and build pressure to form the bale. Have a good one.

Rod

Dad bought a Vermeer 605C new in the 70's. Only thing else on the scene was Hawk-Bilt. NH wasn't even on the scene at the time. That Vermeer served us well. Deere came out with theirs the next year with 1000 pounds less steel in it. #60 chain where Vermeer used #80 etc.

Vermeer would be my choice hands down if I got back into that end of the farming game. In these parts farming is pretty much strictly grain and hogs on concrete.

Get a series F or later. C is good but takes some getting used to and there were alot of updates that made all the difference. From what I have heard the only models to stear clear of are the A,B and D.

JM2CW

jt

My personal preference in round balers is the New Holland roll belt balers. The belts and the rollers form a chamber like a fixed chamber baler to ensure the bale core forms and starts rolling. The belts then move out under spring/hydraulic pressure to form the rest of the bale.

They have two types of twine wrapping controls. Autowrap is just that. When the bale is full size a clutch engages and swings two twine arms in to wrap the bale. A buzzer goes off in the cab to alert you. When the wrapping is complete the buzzer sounds again to let you know you can eject the bale. Bale Command has a monitor with a screen . All sorts of fancy bells and whistles. There is a spring loaded ramp on the back that moves the bale back so you can close the tailgate without having to drive ahead.

I bought a 664 last year after my 605 Super F burned. Best I did with the Vermeer was 85 bales in 6 and a half hours. The 664 did 148 bales in the same amount of time. The Vermeer was a good baler, but was old enough it was not designed for modern levels of capacity.

My cousin has a 660 baler. Bought it the first year they came out. It has seen some tough use and a lot of bales. Never spent an hour in a shed. Minimal breakdowns and the original belts still look new. That baler is the reason I bought mine. Can't speak from experience on JD or newer Vermmer balers, but I have been told they are good.

Most modern balers are very easy to operate. Many farms have the husband using the MoCo to cut and the wife bales. The better half usually has less experience with machinery so they get the easier job, which is baling.

My two cents

John

I got a neighbor up the road that bought some German-made deal called a Krone, at least I think that's it. Not sure about quality or service but ya just can't beat the way it makes a cute little star pattern in the center of the bale. I have never seen a baler wrap a bale in such a crazy manner. Hey if you'd like to bring some dry weather with you I'd let you bale my alfalfa for me ha ha. Just send the sunshine to S. OH. I keep tryin to order a week or two of dry weather but I can't seem to swing it. Looks like the same old stuff through June 15 at least. Rain one day...dry a little the next...dry up enough to cut on the next day...rain the next...and round and round we go. God bless ya buddy.

--old fashioned farmer

p.s. if it were me, I'd go with one of those neat square balers. So much more fun to handle..grin...

The big thing around here is the big squares. These fellas put up a lot of hay and they do it in a hurry. Those 6-high stacks of alfalfa hay are just plain awesome!

Trouble is, after I write this next scheduled check that is quickly approaching, I really doubt if I'll even be able to afford much more than a derned pitchfork.

Oh well, been there, done that before too. :>)

Allan

We bale small rounds (4' X 4') The "horse people" (HEY! That's YOU isn't it Allan!) will pay as much for them as a 5'X6' or any other size. I get way more bales per cutting with the smaller ones, so you do the math....

I bought a Vermeer 5400 "Rebel". Never been happier with anything I've bought. Vermeer is quality stuff. Great dealer support.

Around here, there's a mix of New Holland, Deere, Vermeer, and Claas round balers. (The Claas national distribution center is about 45 miles north of us) From what I hear, the Vermeer owners are all happy with their purchase.

Mark

casey

Those make a 5 foot by 4 foot bale and a 5 foot by 5 foot bale, respectively.

If you are looking for a larger baler or the net wrap option the 604/605 M baler is the best baler I have ever seen up to this point. IT's completely redesigned with nothing carrying over from previous balers as has been done in the past.

Vermeer came a long way. The dealership I work for is one of the first ones that was set up. We have one of the first models ever produced. They have come along way. Thanks.