JD 466 WIRE BALER

[Phil H]

Is there any reason to prefer a twine baler over a wire baler, other than the cost of wire over twine, or are they still making wire balers??? Just wondering??

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 15:03:47 10/02/13) Is there any reason to prefer a twine baler over a wire baler, other than the cost of wire over twine, or are they still making wire balers??? Just wondering??

As you stated cost of twine per bales is less than the cost of wire per bale. As one ages the boxes of wire get HEAVIER!!!!!!!!!!! Yes wire sq balers are still built today.

 

[Phil H]

Yes, we are all getting older, and the days get harder and longer with less accomplished..., Are there more problems with a wire baler than a twine baler??? thanks.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Probably less problems with the baler twisting system than knotters. Some people do not want wire on their farms because it does not rot or you cannot burn it.

No, twisters do not leave two little pieces of wire lay on each bale. Therefore people with sheep should use more wire bales/balers.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 15:48:17 10/02/13) Yes, we are all getting older, and the days get harder and longer with less accomplished..., Are there more problems with a wire baler than a twine baler??? thanks.

That depends on whose repairing both type balers. Read JD Sellers thread on the JD 327 baler that giving him NIGHTMARES. The 2 pieces of wire left on a bale myth was created back when the models 114W,116W & 214W tied a twist on both ends of a bale. Wire tie models following only tie on one end with no pieces left.

 

[Phil H]

Yes, I did read that thread, and it seems there are a lot of problems with the knotting system on all of the twine balers. I am looking at getting a baler, and have been for some time now. I have been steering away from the wire balers because I thought they must be a lot more problems, not just the cost of twine over wire. Do you, know what I should be particularly careful about in looking at a wire tie baler?? thanks...

 

[Phil H]

Thanks Roger, It always seemed to me the wire bales were less prone to break apart than the twine bales, but I have never owned a baler, just threw a lot around.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Like anything, parts wear out. Things to look for are all the rollers where the wire is routed, roller in end of needles, twister hooks, twister hook shaft, grippers is about it. This is all relative to the twister assembly and wire feed.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll add to what Roger stated that wear on wire baler tying components is difficult to determine by someone not familiar with wire tie balers. Sometimes very similar to twine tie balers tyng problems can be corrected with an adjustment rather than replacement of parts.

 

[Phil H]

Thanks Roger, I"ll look for these parts, and see if things are free. This baler was used approx. 8yrs ago for about 2yrs. and was supposed to be working ok then. So it has been idle for the last 5 to 6 yrs. I'm sure everything will NOT be working up to par, but I will try and find out how many bales this machine has done, but from the pictures it looks pretty good. Will know more when I go and look at it in person. I really appreciate your input....

 

[Phil H]

Jim, thanks, I will see if this person has an owners manual or something on this machine, If he doesn't I hope I will be able to get some kind of manual that will show me how to adjust everything. That is if I do get it....thanks...again....

 

[Tx Jim]

Phil
You do realize the 466 makes a 16 X 18 bale instead of the normal 14 X 18??

 

[Phil H]

NO!!!!
I did call the person who owns it and asked him what size the bales were, he said he wasn"t sure but the bales weigh in at around 70lbs. when he was using it to bale wild (grass) hay. He said it was a 2 wire bale. So I just figured it to be a regular bale not a larger one. Nuts!!!!

 

[Tx Jim]

Phil
I think I'm correct on the bale size. The JD dealer I worked for never sold any 466 balers. I think they were sold in Alfalfa country.

 

[randallinMo]

I wouldn't shy away from that baler just because of the 16x18 bale size. I always thought that to be a good idea. You get more hay into each bale requiring less storage space. Of course, if you are handling these by hand, that's another matter that only you can decide if you're capable. You can always shorten the bales to control the weight issue. I handle all my bales mechanically, so a 16x18 bale would be nice! YOu tend to see the larger bale size (wire) balers used on the coastal areas where they specialize in hay exports.

 

[Phil H]

I was looking at a repair manual on line, and I did see a wheel that I guess you can shorten up the bale so it would help in the weight. I would be loading the bales by hand onto a flat bed PJ trailer, and was hoping to throw them about 3 tiers high with one down the middle to tie them in while I bring them in to stack. I"m not young anymore and we always seem to want to do what we use to do, but getting old is not for sissies(sp)?
I will go and look at the machine because it is a real good price and this fellow who owns it now is the 2nd owner, and like I said, has been parked for about 5yrs. and only used for 2yrs prior to that. Has the original tires, and not weather checked, sounds ok, at least good enough to take a look.....thanks...

 

[Phil H]

Yes you are correct, I was looking up some parts and it is a 16x18 bale. I will look at it and see what I can do. The price seems right, asking $1500.00 and that seems fair. I want to trust people, and be fair with them. This forum is real good because there is no bias in the answers...and in these days that is rare.....thanks........

 

[randallinMo]

I use to have a Massey Ferguson wire tie baler. I got rid of it about 5 years ago because the truth of the matter was the issue with handling the wire boxes. That stuff is heavy!! (weighs 100 pounds per box) You have to handle that one box at a time, turning it on edge so it fits into the wire box. It takes a LOT of strength in your arms and hands to NOT drop that box! (It's like taking a 100 pound front end tractor weight and twirling it around in your hands) If you drop the box.....might as well throw it away because it messes up how it will feed out of the box and you'll have a tangled up mess, then you'll be laying on the ground rethreading that baler. I had more issues with the wire boxes than any other mechanical issues with the baler. One time the guy at the elevator where I bought the wire just threw it into the back of my pickup....effectively smashing the corners of the boxes. I made him unload it and go get new.

When you get the wire loaded into the baler, take some oil and pour it into the box cavity. 'Makes the wire feed through all the rollers so much better. Don't EVER let the baler sit out at night! If you do, take the wire out of the baler. When that wire starts ot get ANY rust on it...foul language just seems to happen automatically.

One bit of suggestion: go to your local farm supply store and lift some of those baling wire boxes. Report back what you find.

 

[Tx Jim]

Phil
To lower bale weights one can loosen tension cranks on the back end of bale case in lieu of shortening bale lengths.

 

[Phil H]

Thanks Jim, I guess that must pack less hay into the chamber? I asked the guy who is selling the baler if he had a book on it but he didn't think so. He said there was a JD shop near him, so I can probably get a repair book there. ........thanks....

 

[Phil H]

OK,....I do like the idea of using oil. I will check out the wire box, and not only check the weight, but how the box has been cared for, now that I know what to be aware of, it also sounds like you should start with a new box every season.......I'll report back.......thanks.....

 

[Tx Jim]

I've been pouring oil on baling wire boxes for several yrs.I leave last yrs wire in baler,pour oil on the old wire and bale hay. I think wire manufacturers put LESS OIL on since oil cost more $$$$$.

 

[Phil H]

I went to see the wire and yes, it is 100# and $75.00, so like you said pouring some oil on the wire would sure help to extend the life of the roll. Great idea, thanks for the tip.....Phil