Picking an older Baler

Montanaford · Jan 21, 2022

I need a small square Baler for around 500 bales a year. I know this isnt enough to justify it but I need bay
baled when its dry, and waiting and chewing my nails for others is giving me ulcers.

First, I am in central Montana and there are nowhere near as many small balers here for sale as some places,
and they are expensive. My neighbors swear by a JD 216, but one of them has 9 parts balers and the other
has 5, and Im not sure there are too many left out there to pick from. We do not have a dealer nearby but we
do have a good farm repair shop -an Oliver dealer if that gives any indication - they are not scared of older
equipment.

Ive narrowed it down to NH273, 276, and 278. Id like a 16x18 bale but its not that important. These tend to
be in the $2500 range. There is also a Heston 4600 in the $3000 range. If been told that the 4600 can be
impossible to get parts for, so my question is this- all these Baler are 40plus years old. Are the NH balers going
to be easy to get parts for either? Id love an in-line but am I buying an un-repairable headache? All of the
balers Ive looked at are working, and all have some wear. Thanks for your thoughts.

Bruce from Can. · Jan 21, 2022

The major parts for NH balers are available, mostly because there were just so darn many built. And many many of the parts are interchangeable in the various models over several decades. The 273 was a great baler from the 1970s, so they are close to 50 years old. Now unless the baler has only seen very light use, or has sat in a shed totally unused for a few decades there is a strong possibility that its wore out, its a crap shoot.

M Nut · Jan 21, 2022

Ive had a John Deere 336, and it was an excellent baler. Sold it when I thought I no longer needed to make square bales. A few years went by, and I needed them again, so I bought a New Holland 276. It is a good baler, works fine for the 1,000 bales I make each year, but between the two, I definitely prefer the John Deere 336. But, in reality a decent John Deere 14T, 24T, 336, or New Holland 269, 273, 276 should work well for you for a few hundred bales each year.

farmallboy15 · Jan 21, 2022

I have a NH 273. Over the last couple years Ive rebuilt 70% of it and every part Ive needed has been readily available and typically reasonably priced. Messicks online is great. Now that it has been thoroughly gone through, it runs awesome and makes good bales

Words of caution is to watch it make a bale and hear it run as well as bring someone that knows what they are looking at to look at it with you. There could very well be many hidden demons lurking. $2500 should buy you a real nice one (at least in the Midwest). $1500 should buy a pretty decent one.

farmallboy15 · Jan 21, 2022

Also, buy the manual and go down through all the maintenance checks and adjustments it lists, thoroughly, to include the slip clutches.

Jim Phelps · Jan 21, 2022

My father baled over 60,000 bales per year with a 273, thing worked like a charm every time. Ran that baler until he sold the farm.

NY 986 · Jan 21, 2022

Another vote for JD 336. They do not fetch that much anymore as there has been an exodus of small farmers out of milking cows. Units that used to bring 3,500-4,000 dollars do not even bring half that at auction anymore. Price aside they are one heck of a baler if maintained. Good manufacturer support and good aftermarket support as well. NH made a pretty good baler but I question their commitment to product support on older products more so than JD. A couple of Mennonites around here make their business sourcing and repairing 3XX series JD balers and are very fair.

jm. · Jan 21, 2022

Man sure wish you were closer, have a nice 273 that knocks them out ever time looking for offers and I am sure $800.00 and you could drive away. Tennessee You want go wrong with any onf the numbers you listed on the NH

casecollectorsc · Jan 21, 2022

276 New Holland is a good baler if not wore out. Good capacity and makes a good solid bale.

Tx Jim · Jan 21, 2022

JD 216 sq baler began being produced in 1963. I'm fond of JD sq balers & if I was picking a JD sq baler it would be a 336/346 or later model due to being much easier to time the needles than JD older sq baler models. I'll also guess 75% of parts will interchange between JD xx6-xx8 sq balers

miangus · Jan 21, 2022

If you are looking for a real oldie, we has a 24T. Faultless. I think the 336 is a slightly improved 24T. I have a NH 275 that's pretty good too.

Tx Jim · Jan 21, 2022

I agree 24T was a good baler but still more difficult to time needles than later models. The plungerhead adjusting bridge with pads($451.44 new price) that had history of getting lost in field would be a killer for me.

Montanaford · Jan 21, 2022

Thanks for all the replies. No votes for the Hesston?

Dave H (MI) · Jan 21, 2022

I have two 224T balers. Easy to fix, excellent manual, great low volume baler. 24T will be pretty much the same.

Destroked 450 · Jan 21, 2022

Wish you were closer, I have a nice NH 270 I purchased from the original owner, all ways been shedded
I recently purchased a real nice 273 for $1300 and dont need both balers, have the 270 priced for $600, located in Ky

Tx Jim · Jan 21, 2022

(quoted from post at 10:26:54 01/21/22) I have two 224T balers. Easy to fix, excellent manual, great low volume baler. 24T will be pretty much the same.

224 has brgs that support plungerhead while 24 has only wear pads to support the plungerhead.
IIRC The brass shear pin (E19994 @ $28.37) on the needle lift shaft is not ""easily installed"" & have needles in correct time with plungerhead

NY 986 · Jan 21, 2022

Dad owned a 270 that was always kept inside when not baling. Got traded in on a JD 347 baler around 1983. Broke my heart to see
it in a parts yard around a decade later. Unmistakable as it had the local dealer sticker still on it plus a couple of unique
blemishes from its time here. I wish I was close because I would not mind picking one up for old time sake as long as it did not
run much money. Maybe its a good thing you are far away as I most likely have more pressing needs.

pms · Jan 21, 2022

I baled hay for years with a deere 337...damn good balers.Main thing is to find one that has been well maintained rather than a fixer upper imo be it a Deere or a New Holland.I bought a new inline baler four years ago and now the 337 sits in the shed but sees occasional use.I live one state over in Washington.Seems like there is always decent small square balers around here for sale.(Southwest Washington).

Bill VA · Jan 22, 2022

IMHO a NH 273 or 276 would be a great baler. JD 336 and newer too.

SVcummins · Jan 22, 2022

Hesston balers are a good outfit if you can find one you can afford .

Destroked 450 · Jan 22, 2022

I always wanted a Hesston inline but couldnt justify the cost for the small number of square bales we make

Wheat47 · Jan 24, 2022

I'm in the Billings Mt area. I have a NH 1283(I think). Basically 283 that was made into a self-propelled.
I've worked on a lot of balers, mostly NH and Deere. Either are good and most parts are available.
Many of the older NH baler knotter parts are interchangeable over several models.
Personally, I'd stay with the NH. As you say small square balers are rather expensive in
this area too. I've seen some in the $3000 to $5000 range.
Any on-line auctioneers in your area? Where abouts are you??

Picking an older Baler

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