Case IH 3450 round baler

[Anonymous-0]

Thinking about baling time and coming into my second season with this 3450. I like the baler but would like the bales to be a bit tighter. I've got the springs as tight as they go on the adjustment. I typically wait for a good solid alarm before twine wrapping, should I wait a little longer? What about running it a while longer in the chamber after wrapping to compress it a bit more? Any help appreciated!

 

[leesville]

i have been lead to believe that going slower will give you a tighter bale.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Doug,Running for a while after the alarm has sounded will indeed make a tighter bale.The trick is to know just how much farther to get consistant bales without breaking a shearbolt.Even a higher HP. tractor will tend to pull down shortly before that occurs.I reset the tailgate switch on mine even though the op manual warns against that and I was very happy with the result.Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks for the tip. How far do you figure you moved the switch? What bale wieghts are you getting on mixed grass alfalfa hay?

Last year I had a wad of hay catch on the switch and hold it closed so it could'nt set off the alarm. Figured something was wrong when the tractor started to lug, by the time I got it wrapped I couldn't eject it. We got it pried out with a couple of bars but I'd like not to do that again.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Doug, Kinda flew by the seat of my pants on that one.Started by returning springs to recommended setting then loosened bracket enough to slide the switch back just enough to notice a difference.My theory was that the tailgate would have to open a little more to activate the switch.I took the baler back to the windrow and NOW we were wrapping tight bales.You had to be ready to jump on the clutch the instant the alarm sounded but these were tight dense bales.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Doug, Sorry, ran out of room for longer reply(technically challenged).Prior to that adjustment, I couldn't make a 500 lb. bale without overunning the alarm as you mentioned.After that a 700 lb.bale of dry alfalfa brome was typical. these were tighter than the average 6x5 soft core and weathered and transported well.I carried over straw bales for several years uncovered outside and they held up very well.Good Luck

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks for the help. I'll give the switch a nudge out and see what happens. Should know soon with all the rain the feilds are really growin'.