Lubrication on baler chains

[steve_pr]

Checking out my New Holland S68 prior to the upcoming harvest season and I noticed the pick up drive chain was looking a bit claggy and
rusty - checked the others and similar story. Probably should have really oiled them up before winter, but now feel worth while to ease
the potential problem of a chain break before I start baling. With todays technology dry/silicone lubricants seem to be recommended for
dry dusty environments, but obviously they weren't around back in the 60's.

How do folks generally clean and service/lubricate their baler chains?

Thanks in advance for suggestions, tips and advice.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Paint some used oil on with a paint brush. I also have dribbled oil on while the chain is turning to get the entire chain. Then oil them daily.

 

[Tx Jim]

I lubricate my baler chains with aerosol can of chain lube

 

[showcrop]

Generally people do cheap. I look at it as two different types. The pick-up chain is like one on a hay elevator, they are low speed and tend to easily go a long time without lube. The higher speed more heavily loaded ones I use aerosol chain lube, which comes out very thin and penetrates, then sets up into grease. It will penetrate better if you apply it to the side which is on the inside as it goes around the sprockets.

 

[Bret4207]

It's a toss up between using a sticky oil that will last but attracts dust, dirt and chaff or a thin oil that isn't so bad in that respect but has to be renewed much more often. I like using chainsaw bar and chain oil as far as lasting goes, but ATF or drain oil works better on a stiff chain that needs fast lubing.

I think in the end, anything is much better than nothing.

 

[dcarp]

Xs 2. Spray them before each use

 

[MJMJ]

I'm not convinced there is a best way. I know there are plenty of people that go by the belief than any oil will just attract more dust so they do nothing. And honestly I don't think their chains fail any different than the ones that are lubed.
Still, I either paint on used oil or use aerosol lube. I much prefer the aerosol.

 

[caterpillar guy]

We had an old Uni Sheller onetime I was young and tired of always being alll oil from oiling chains and greasing so I quit oiling the main sheller chain that drove the rotor. It got hot and stiff in a couple days of use. I went back to oiling and no more trouble from it. SO oiling is proven to me it helps. Anything is better than none No Iodine would not be better.

 

[diesel fumes]

aerosol dry lube

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Deere offers autoluber. Oils everytime gate opens.

 

[old]

I use used motor oil to lube my baler chains. The main drive chains on my NH850 look like they have been soaking in oil and that is even after sitting out in the weather all winter long

 

[rustred]

i run the baler at idle and use gear oil on them from a bottle at a slow flow. gear oil sticks to the chain not like ordinary oil that runs away faster. the ideal way is to remove chains and soak them in gear oil. its the inside of the links where u want lube.

 

[300jk]

Just used engine oil. I dont see chaff and hay dust as being nearly as abrasive as dirt dust. I have a 7 3pt hitch snowblower and that gets the same treatment same as any chain on any piece of equipment we have.

 

[Texasmark]

I use foam chain lube in the aerosol can from the farm store, several brands out that that foam up and dissolve into the chain links. Just get the roller rolling, mind your safety manners, and spray away. I also spray idler bearings and anything eise I see turning...doesn't hurt and might help a 1991 JD 375 roller. I don't worry about the dust that collects on the exterior of the chain, it works itself out to the non contact areas anyway. Been doing it for as long as I can remember and never lost a chain...and JD balers, if you buy them used like I have had to, there is always a deformed piece of sheet metal where the PO didn't grease his chains and one tried to go through the steel plate.

 

[wolfman]

I use old engine oil but I apply it at the end of the day when the chains are warm. i figure the oil gets into the rollers better when warm.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 19:46:35 06/17/21) I use old engine oil but I apply it at the end of the day when the chains are warm. i figure the oil gets into the rollers better when warm.

Wolfman, you reminded me that back in the day doing them warm was what the motorcycle manufacturers recommended.

 

[Jim.ME]

(quoted from post at 05:57:01 06/18/21)

(quoted from post at 19:46:35 06/17/21) I use old engine oil but I apply it at the end of the day when the chains are warm. i figure the oil gets into the rollers better when warm.

Wolfman, you reminded me that back in the day doing them warm was what the motorcycle manufacturers recommended.

Its still a current recommendation for at least JD. For manual application, applying oil (30 weight or heavier) after operation, when the chains are warm and letting the chains set for a time to allow the oil to soak in is still recommended in the JD round baler manuals, I have looked at.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 03:15:57 06/18/21)

(quoted from post at 05:57:01 06/18/21)

(quoted from post at 19:46:35 06/17/21) I use old engine oil but I apply it at the end of the day when the chains are warm. i figure the oil gets into the rollers better when warm.

Wolfman, you reminded me that back in the day doing them warm was what the motorcycle manufacturers recommended.

Its still a current recommendation for at least JD. For manual application, applying oil (30 weight or heavier) after operation, when the chains are warm and letting the chains set for a time to allow the oil to soak in is still recommended in the JD round baler manuals, I have looked at.

Yep, it's probably in there somewhere for everything that has a chain, LOL.

 

[JK-NY]

My grandfather was a big fan of oiling chains warm , so I sometimes do it before operating a machine and sometimes after as he did.Same reason as you gave, he felt the oil would flow in to the chain better.

 

[JK-NY]

I use either old motor oil or spray-on chain/cable lube. I buy the spray lube at the John Deere dealer, it is good quality and fairly priced.