605f dropping hay out of bottom

I'd guess about 10-20% of my hay is dropping out of the bottom (behind the big drum). Anyways it is dropping so much hay I wont' bale anymore until the problem is fixed. Closest Problem/Solution I found in the owner's manual was "Hay coming back out". The manual states the solution might be:

#1) Adjust height of pickup so that pickup teeth are closer to the starting roller.
#2) Put rubber flaps on starting roller.
#3) Adjust stroke control on belt tightener cylinder to take pressure off of belts.

The bales start just fine and no hay drops out of the bottom while the 'core' of the bale is being formed. It is immediately after the core forms that the problem begins.

Only change to baler from last year was having dealer re-lace two belts. (Windrows are smaller this year; hay is very dry but so was the hay last year.)

re: #1) If I adjust the pickup higher (which in my mind moves the teeth closer to the starting roller) the pickup teeth will not be grabbing the bottom of the windrow.

re:#2) Baler only has two rubber flaps on starting roller (only had two last year and didn't experience this). Should I add two more; should I replace the two and add two to get to four? Is there any downside to adding more flaps?

re: #3) PSI reads up to 1500# when making a bale, just like it did last year. I'm hope lowering the pressure and getting a looser bale isn't the answer.

I trust you guys' experience as much as the book; what do you think?

"The bales start just fine and no hay drops out of the bottom while the "core" of the bale is being formed. It is immediately after the core forms that the problem begins." Gate locking like it should? I am not familiar with that baler just a guess.

Adding 2 flaps should only help. It comes with 4. As to replacing the 2 you have, that depends on how much they are worn.

If the gate is not latched, it should be obvious. Just get the bale started and check the latches. If the gate is not latched and you continue to bale it won't work. Hay will go out as fast as it goes in and there will be noises and vibration. I don't remember if you said in your post if you continued to finish and wrap the bale, sorry.

If gate is latched and it dumps hay, I would look at condition of pick up teeth. The baler needs a full set of teeth that are not sprung back and are in good condition.

Since it starts a core good the teeth clearance to the rubber flaps and the pickup height must be correct but you can check the manual for that.

If you have short dry hay in small windrows that may be part of the problem.

I don't think think the cylinder pressure is part of the problem.

Belts should be proper length, but if they are turning I don't see that being the problem.

KEH

You most likely hit the nail on the head in your anaysis. To small of a windrow and overly dry hay. Rake those windrows to fill that baler fast.
Again listen to that manual, raise your pickup teeth by adjusting the height of your teeth. Rhis is easily done with the adjusting rods on each side that the pickup is suspended on. Your baler height is adjusted by the ratcheting jack screw on the hitch. so you don't need to worry about not being able to pick up the hay.
As for those rubber flaps you should run with all four and they need to be stiff. If you get into cornstalks or grassy hay those flaps are vital. I have baled in excess of 35,000 bales with an 605F and only seen excessive losses when windrows were not of adequate size. It will help to decrease the pressure and if you are traveling excessive distances for a bale that continous rotation will still give you a good bale.

If the latches are not engaging the baler will start to lose hay out the bottom after the core has formed. The gate cylinders will close the gate, but can't hold it closed as pressure builds as the bale is formed inside the baler. If the side to side tube that connects the latches gets bent, or the latch pivots are seized, they will not work properly.

Partially raise the tailgate and engage the hydraulic gate lock. try to move the latches(those arms with the small steel wheels). They should move freely. If not correct the problem. Now when you release the lock and close the gate, are the latches moving over the rear axle and dropping the small steel wheels down in front of the axle? You have to hold the hydraulics down after the tailgate closes to close the latch. This is why there is a slot in the rod end of the tailgate cylinders. If things are working right you should see the lock indicator pin rise up on the top right side of the baler.

HTH

John