Mccormick 45 Hay baler production years?

[oldfarmall]

Hello-

Just picked up a mccormick 45 hay baler a few weeks ago in working condition for $150. Rusty, but seems to bale. All I did was grease up the machine, and adjust 1 twine knife. Pulled it up in the barn to bale up some broken bales, and it tied all 20 that I have ran through it so far. I am going to try it in the field next stretch of dry weather.

Anyone know exact years of production for this baler? Did it come out in 1945 along with the mccormick 50T baler? I believe the last year of production for the 45 was 1957, then the 46 baler came out. I have two 46 balers as well. The 45 baler's serial number is around 74000 something with the letter P as a suffix.

Thanks!
 

[DeltaRed]

I would guess '53,the same year the #55 came
out.Steve
 

[chuck41]

Hi, Official Guide show '52-'58 Chuck
 

[oldfarmall]

I think I may have answered my own question. I was surfing the web tonight and came across the IHC Mccormick collection on the Wisconsin Historical Society website. Has a page of machinery lists with production dates, number produced, and which plant made them.

According to this document, the IH Mccormick 45 baler was built from 1946-1958 at the Memphis works and 1954-1957 at another plant with designation letters HAM. At the Memphis works from 1946-1957 they produced 102,488 units and the other plant from 1954-1957, 9,704 units. That is one hell of alot of Mccormick 45 balers!

The 50T was made from 1944-1952 (8144 units), and the 55T (13,337 units), and 55W (15,842 units) was made from 1953-1959. The 50W or 50AW was listed as 1944-1947 only, with no production numbers for this baler.

Anyone else that can confirm this? How many of you out there are using any of the above listed balers? Post pics if you have them. Thanks for the replies so far!


Jesse
 

[DeltaRed]

I still have a 55W-pto .We call it the
"dinosaur"baler.Because its as old and big as a
dinosaur.It also eats hay and poops bales!Bullet
proof old machine that never misses a lick!It is now
semi-retired.Sorry,no pics.Steve
 

[TomA]

I run a 55W engine driven. What is the difference between a 55 and 45. It is interesting that they were made over some of the same years.
 

[oldfarmall]

TomA-

I believe the 55 baler made bigger bales over the 45 baler and daily tonnage that could be baled was higher. Was made for larger capacity for custom farmers. 15x19 inch bales in the 55 and 14x18 inch bales for the 45 baler. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

Jesse
 

[Cooney Minnie]

Old Farmall-

If you need another 45 for parts, I have one stored inside. I'd like the shed space.

It and another belonged to my late uncle... I learned how to tie a square knot riding on the twine box. If you did 20 in a row and not missed, you did pretty well.

The neighborhood IH mechanic, who has only rarely uttered something negative about a red machine, described the 45 baler as, "a front seat in hell." I tend to agree.

Glad yours works!
 

[oldfarmall]

[MJ in the UK]

IH also built the 45 baler here in the UK with the designation B45 from 1951 to 1959. They then carred on makeing B46, B47, 430 and 440 balers. I sold IH tractors and equipment in the 1970, and sold a lot of 440 balers. MJ
 

[MJ in the UK]

Hi Steve, done a lot of baling with a UK built B55W wire tying baler. On a good crop of hay we averaged 28 bales to the ton and handled them with a tractor loader but unloaded thm by hand 12 ton at a time off a UK built Dodge truck. MJ
 

[Cooney Minnie]

I'm in SE Wisconsin... between Madison and Milwaukee.
 

[oldfarmall]

[Cooney Minnie]

Jesse-

Give me a call at 262.370.1767

john
 

[merlynr]

I square bale with a 46 I got from my grndpa in 80, but I only do 700-1000 or less per year.