Old MH Square Baler ID

[DaveDiesel]

Hey all.

I have an old Massey Harris baler which was left for dead on this property we just bought. It's a MH No. ? Of course the decal is worn away and I can't find a plate with year / model / SN, etc. Anyone recognize this beast?

I'd like to use it if it can be made functional, but to do that, I need a manual for it. I've never worked on this type of equipment before, so I don't have a good idea as to how it works. Also, is it worth the cost, time and effort to recondition this thing? Could this be a good, reliable piece of equipment, or should I look for something else?

Thanks!

 

[495man]

MF #3


If it is complete and you can turn it the flywheel over by hand you might get it to work, or at least see why it was parked.

 

[centash]

If you need a good baler, look for a New Holland first, then a JD. The early Massey ballers were more problematic., and now hard to find parts for.

Ben

 

[DaveDiesel]

I tried rotating the flywheel in both directions. It doesn't turn freely - only as far as gear lash will allow. How much force should it take to turn the flywheel? What could cause it not to turn?

 

[centash]

Plunger is likely seized....you got a big project ahead of you..

Ben.

 

[Masseyish]

You have a MH #3 or MF #12 (I believe) baler. Same baler, just different number. I have one that I still use. One for parts. Manuals are available. Parts can be hard to come by depending on what you need. If the plunger will move back and forth, the rest of the works on the baler can be dealt with. The knotters are a biggie, obviously and parts for them can be tricky also.

 

[495man]

(quoted from post at 10:00:34 06/02/19) I tried rotating the flywheel in both directions. It doesn't turn freely - only as far as gear lash will allow. How much force should it take to turn the flywheel? What could cause it not to turn?

Should turn quite freely. I agree with plunger seized comment. Might not be parked because of that....likely seized because it wasn't being used due to another issue.

You can free them up, I did a #9 that was stuck, unbolt the plunger rod from the crank and use a suicide jack and chain to pull it out the back.

 

[495man]

(quoted from post at 15:30:45 06/02/19) You have a MH #3 or MF #12 (I believe) baler. Same baler, just different number. I have one that I still use. One for parts. Manuals are available. Parts can be hard to come by depending on what you need. If the plunger will move back and forth, the rest of the works on the baler can be dealt with. The knotters are a biggie, obviously and parts for them can be tricky also.

#10 is likely what you mean. The 9 and 12 looked similar.

 

[moresmoke]

I had one just like that. There are steel strips around the plunger with steel shims to adjust the fit. Rust forms between the strips shims and chamber tightening things up and locking the plunger. I had the baler tied between 2 large pieces of equipment to get that plunger out.

One everything was cleaned up it was a great little baler.