Bale basket + NH 66

[Mark (PA)]

Hello everyone, I have a question on a bale basket. Is anyone out there using one with a NH 66 baler? I don't farm full time of course and my baler is old.. But it still runs almost perfect. It is a NH 66 that I have very little invested in. I put up around 2000 bales per season. my problem is finding help. noone wants to stack of course. so this little device seems very appealing. i looked at kick balers as well as accumulators but this seemed to be the best route. IF it would work with my baler. I pull all this with an IH 350 tractor. Seems to work OK. I do have some hilly terrain and of course have to be careful when I drive on it. Any info would be helpful! located in PA. haven't found any local yet to buy but will keep looking.

 

[Mark (PA)]

I guess I should add its a 350 Utility not a row crop tractor. if that makes a difference... I think the row crop gets a bit more bang out of The HP given due to tire size but the 350 holds her own. I have about 400 lbs on each rear wheel also.

 

[paul]

This is my setup. NH 270 pulled with an IHC 300 row crop. Works well for me.


--->Paul

 

[gitrib]

Son has one to rebuild and go behind a NH super 68 pulled by a JD Model 50, This a fun unit as he has a Hesston 4500 with a accumalator. The hay basket is a attention getter at shows. gitrib

 

[Anonymous-0]

MarK: Not to change topics too far, but have you posted about using a drum mower in PA? I am in S. Central Pa and am considering a drum mower/no conditioner. I wondered what success you may have had. Also considering a bale basket for the same reasons you suggest. Thanks for any input. Daniel, Bedford County, PA

 

[Mark (PA)]

Hi Daniel, I do not have a drum mower myself but have seen them go.... appear to work quite well and you can go fast with them but that is only as smooth as your field too... I cut with a sickle and run the crusher behind. Works quite well and the running the crusher is worth it as it cuts the drying time and smashes the stems nicely. I can go 3rd gear with my sickle though too which isn't too shabby. I changed the single guards to doubles and that helps the cut also.

Yes trying to find a bale basket locally seems it might be tough! I have looked around but no dice yet. I can't find help period. I ask lots of younger people but they aren't too interested. even if the pay is good it seems... oh well. Good luck though with your search too!

Might run up to ag progress days next month... might be an EZ trail dealer up there I can talk too.

 

[johns48jdb]

i use to cut and bale for the public and with a very little bit of help three guys an a one ton flat bed with side boards on it is hard to beat for hauling hay. i used a tail gate also and cut the side boards off about 2/3 of the way back. this way you could throw on from the side real ease. i still believe that having enough of flat bed trailers around to load the hay on is the only way to go and pick it up by hand in the field. load the trailers and stick them in a car port or shed until you have the man power and time to unload them. one guy and i hauled 500 bales one sunday afternoon by ourselves and stacked it in the barn. you need to look at how much time its taking you to hitch and unhitch the bale wagon, stopping the baler, go unload and come back and start all over. i prefer to never stop the baler until its all done. you could tear up something on the baler at any time and be shut down until you go get parts. once the basler gets through then you have another hand to load. i always rake at least 3 windrows together to cut down on the number of trips acroos the field saving time, fuel and wear and tear on the tractor and bailer. all i can see a bale wagon doing for you is tearing up bales.