Round baler

[rrlund]

Thanks for doing the math. I bought some 4x4s one time. There was just half the hay in them that was in my 4x5s. I
was unrolling them in a stanchion barn. I could roll a 4x5 down and back three times and so feed three times, which
meant a day and a half. The 4x4s would roll down and half way back, so it took two bales for a day and a half.

I'm not the least impressed with the 4x4s my nephew rolls with his Deere. I have no idea what the model number is,
but it's fairly new, has the way too big tires on it that look like they came off a monster truck. Those sloppy
little bales look like they made about 4 revolutions and were done.

 

[rrlund]

Here's just one other suggestion. Can you go to a hay auction nearby and see what size bales the local buyers want?

 

[casecollectorsc]

The BR 750 NH baler full size bale is 4x6...I have mine set at 4x5 and it can be set to make a 4x4 bale.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Yes, I mis-stated. I have it set at 4x5 and 4x6 is max. Can go down to 4x4. Horse peopl here seem to want 4x5 bales.

 

[DanielW]

I've commented too much on this thread - I promise I'll shut up after this. Just one more point: You mentioned going with 4X4. As others have noted, pretty much all balers have a setting to make the diameter smaller if you want. So going with a 4X5 or 4X6 baler will allow you to make 4X4's as well. It's sometimes handy to be able to bump up the size: 4X4 bales mean you have to stop to tie/dump a bale a lot more often than a 4X5 or 4X6. Not usually a problem, but if you have a pile of hay down and a storm's rolling in, it's nice to be able to bump the size up and get it done faster. Also allows you to bale larger bales if your customers want.

My only experience with the newer NH's is running a neighbour's briefly (don't know the model). Seemed like a good baler. Only complaint I had was that it built the bale higher up from the ground than the Deeres or Vermeers do. In most places that wouldn't matter, but on some of our really steep side hills you could watch it getting really light on the uphill side because the centre of gravity was that much higher up.

I won't comment too much on recommended models, as I don't pretend to be an expert. I'd definitely put condition over make/model. There are lots of newer balers from large dairy operations that are far more worn out than older balers from smaller operations. Look at the roller chain sprockets to see if they're worn, see if you can roll a few of the belt guide rolls by hand to feel for crunchy bearings, and look closely at the belts - especially around where they're laced. A new set of belts is easy enough to put on, but will set you back a couple grand.

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

I have a Deere 467 4x6 bales. We only make 4x5 dry bales and my hi moisture wrapped bales we make 4x4. I am very happy with it and it makes a tight bale. You can also adjust for soft core if you chose. Tom

 

[paul]

With enough power available I would sure look at something that made 4-5 or 4-6 foot diameter bales. Much more versatile.

Picking up a pile of 4x4 bales can get tiring, and use more netwrap or twine. Certainly have their place and are marketable, but Id hate to be locked into the small size bale only.

Paul

 

[Destroked 450]

(quoted from post at 10:04:24 09/22/23) These are all very good and helpful answers. Thankyou. Now to break it down a little more...you have convinced me to go 4x4.I don't have a problem spending up to $10,000. My experience of late tells me if you buy nice equipment and keep it nice you can nearly get your money back. I have plenty horse power to pull anything so with that in mind what baler should I go looking for?

For the number of bales you re talking about look at a Vermeer Rebel 5400 or New Holland 450 Utility. They are lower cost baler without the extra features the common production balers have
No net wrap or silage capability but still good balers for those not putting up a large number of rolls each year
I don t know if JD or others make a lower cost utility type round baler
Either of these will make a 4x5 bale and can be adjusted down to make a 4x4 bale

 

[495man]

(quoted from post at 09:24:04 09/22/23) Thanks for doing the math. I bought some 4x4s one time. There was just half the hay in them that was in my 4x5s. I
was unrolling them in a stanchion barn. I could roll a 4x5 down and back three times and so feed three times, which
meant a day and a half. The 4x4s would roll down and half way back, so it took two bales for a day and a half.

I'm not the least impressed with the 4x4s my nephew rolls with his Deere. I have no idea what the model number is,
but it's fairly new, has the way too big tires on it that look like they came off a monster truck. Those sloppy
little bales look like they made about 4 revolutions and were done.

I make 4x4 with an NH baler

I bought some 4x4 made with a Deere baler.

I had twice the hay in my NH bales versus the Deere. Not sure if that was a product of the baler or operator. Either way was a big difference.

I bought some 4x5 bales made with a different Deere baler, they had 50% more hay than my NH 4x4 bales (as expected)

I had some 4x4.5 bales made with a NH baler with chopper knives (4x5 machine dialed back), they had 50% more hay than my 4x4 bales.

 

[Pig]

So, how much are these decent-condition Vermeer Rebel 5400 and similar sized balers where you guys are located?

Because around these parts (NE PA) we seem to have the highest prices in the country.
Many of the balers I see around here are in poor condition (not taken care of) but are still fetching a premium.

 

[MJMJ]

Not sure where you re looking, but just wanted to mention that prices on sites like tractorhouse are almost always far higher than what most machines would sell for at an auction or even private. Bale count plays a big part too. But I see a lot of nice clean balers for under $10k. I paid $5k for an older but immaculate Vermeer 505SI. String wrap though, net will cost more than string.

This post was edited by MJMJ on 09/22/2023 at 08:00 pm.

 

[Keith Molden]

After reading the post about bale size, I have been making 4x4 bales for several years now and my reasoning for them is that most people I sell to in winter get a bale at a time with their pick up truck. A 4x4 bale won't push the sides of their pick up out where a 4x5 will and they will say you did it. So I just bale the 4x4 and have never had a problems. On other factor is a lot of the horse owners in my area have to unload by hand and the 4x5 or larger is just too heavy for them. Just my thoughts, the decision is totally yours. Keith

 

[caterpillar guy]

there is always the grapple and accumulator for idiot cubes saves a lot of labor but you need a shed to put them in since you would not be able to put them in a mow very well.

 

[Jim.ME]

Bale size is something you need to decide for yourself based on your market. What a horse person feeding a horse or two might want compared to someone feeding their own cattle herd likely won't be the same, as responses here have shown.

A baler capable of making 4-foot-wide bales would seem best for meeting market needs from comments here. Are you storing any or are they going to be sold directly from the field? Next having the ability to adjust the diameter from 4 feet to 6 feet allows you to meet the needs of different customer wishes, if you choose, if they are being sold to the customer in the field, not stored for later sales. If not being stored for a particular customer I would stay with 4-foot diameter. Determine your market. JMHO

 

[tom upton]

Sounds like us about 7 or 8 years ago. Did all squares but thought it would be good to have a round baler just for any hay that got rained on or wouldnt make good horse hay, or when trying to beat the weather etc. I talked to nieghbour who has been round baling several thousand bales /year since round balers first came around. (Does a pile of custom cutting and baling ) Mind you he is pretty biased towards JD but he claimed the first really good baler he bought was a 435 JD. I happened to find one that was in working condition so I bought it. Have 0 regrets about it in the 7 or 8 seasons I have had it. The worst thing that has happened to it is a bearing went out of a top idler roll, but those hex bore bearings are super easy to change. It is a great baler from a speed perspctive. I have been using it last couple years on a 1655 Cockshutt/Oliver and in most hay run 4th over if the ground is not too rough. was using it on 2-105 White, but kind of a waste of fuel as doesnt need more than 70 Horse. I also aquired a 5410 vermeer Rebel just because it was too good of a deal to turn down, but only used it once and it blew a belt so cant really give you a good comparison, and the 435 works so good I have no good reason to buy belts for the Vermeer. What I can tell you is a different nieghbour runs a Vermeer and it seems like he drives pretty slow with it. Like only maybe 3 MPH or less. To me its important to be able to roll up tight bales in a hurry with the least amount of investment possible and the 435 so far has worked good from all perspectives.

 

[THinAl.]

I use a Vermeer 504R Signature round baler, net wrap and twine wrap. Balers are like tractors and cotton pickers, use the color with the best dealer support. In my area we have a Vermeer dealer that has been in business for many years and has several employees that can repair balers.
I can run 5-6 miles an hour in dry hay with this baler and it will also roll green bales. I roll about 400 green bales and about 400 dry bales each year.

 

[JDIH]

I didn't read all the responses so maybe these points have already been mentioned. If you're selling it, 4' wide bales transport more efficiently down the road. Net wrap makes them look pretty. Ive seen pretty bales (rounds and small squares) full of junk outsell uglier bales of good hay because many people buy based on looks. Ive custom baled for people that want 4x4 bales because they only have a small compact utility tractor and can't life 4x5. So who you are selling to may have an impact on bale size.If you plan on baling wet hay the bigger bales are HEAVY. As others have said you dont get much more money, if any out of a 4x5 vs a 4x4 and theres a lot more hay in the larger one. Hope this helps