JD 347 baler tieing problems

[3020jd2955]

Need some advice on a 347 square baler. Last year, the left side knotter (looking from the back of the baler) started missing some ties more and more as the summer went on. All of the problems have been on the left knotter.

Sometimes the twine would go all the way under 2 or 3 bales and not be caught by the knotters. Other times, it would just miss tieing on one bale. The twine would be knotted on the twine over the bale (on the chute end of the bale) and clean cut on the knotter side twine (towards front of the baler).

Over winter I replaced the pull rod on the tucker finger and the pin fastener as they both had lots of slop. That helped the problem some when we baled with it yesterday, but still missing a good many.

Tried tighening and loosening the twine disc tenstion also, hasn't made a difference yet. Do I need to just keep adjusting the disc tension and/or the tucker fingers? What else could be causing the problem that I could try to look at?

This is just a random thought, but the baler has the multi-lube system on it - if everything else is adjusted to spec, could one of the fittings be plugged and not getting any oil and causing something not to work right?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bob]

Do you have an operator's manual (which has a section on tying problems, with pictures of mangled knots and how to correct them)?

To start with, I would check twine tension, needle position (as it rises through the knotter) and tucker finger operation/timing as the book instructs.

 

[3020jd2955]

Yeah, have the manual, and have tried to follow it through all the trouble shooting help.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Classic tucker finger miss. Tucker finger is not picking up the twine and putting it in the twine disk.

It is possible it is not getting caught by the twine disk because the needle is not putting the twine in the notch.

 

[WyoDave]

The knotter isn't picking up the twine when it is fed by the needle. Check your needle for both tension, and placement. My bet is, it's still the tucker fingers. If replacing parts helped, then I'd say you're getting closer. I'm betting the tucker finger on the left is just a bit out of adjustment. It either needs the rod lengthened or shortened a touch, or the entire tucker finger frame needs loosened and slightly moved. I doubt the multiluber has anything to do with it.
David

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

My 336 had a similar problem, I set up the needles as per the book with a little gap, still would miss so I set them to lightly touch and it works perfect now. I'm thinking the twine disc is a bit worn or the needles a bit sloppy so it wouldn't get the right position when running.

 

[showcrop]

I agree, classic tucker finger. Also agree you want to have the needle just touching. Are you checking adjustments by rolling over by hand? you can make this easier to do by backing the tension way off and feeding in about a bale's worth of hay to loosen it up, then it will roll over easily.

 

[3020jd2955]

Thanks everybody for the advice. I checked the needle, it looks like it set to spec and is exactly the same as the other needle on the side that ties fine. I adjusted the tucker finger a little more and got it working better. Not perfect yet, but better. Baled 500 with it this afternoon and only missed 3-4, so much improvement. Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

3020jd2955
My JD sq baler experience is more on wire balers than twine. I've found on balers with a lot of bales run through them the needle frame pivot points(hinges) can get worn allowing needle frame to move side to side a little. This allows needle to move to right or left when the needle point is up in tying mechanism. I removed the slack with shim washers added on the 2 attaching bolts.