scrap baler

When you look at ads aboutscrap baler, it often seems that the main thing is to find one that is cheaper and seems to work. But there are so many nuances here that it’s simply ?outwardly whole? - it means almost nothing. Many people, especially beginners, end up undergoing repairs, which then cost more than a new car. I went through this myself, so I want to share observations that in theory are not always voiced.

Why boo is always a lottery, and how not to lose in it

The first thing they forget is age and actual work experience. They often sell equipment that is formally “only?” 5-7 years, but engine hours over these years can be prohibitive. I once looked at the Claas Quadrant 1200, the bales seem to be even, and the camera is in order. And then, in the field, an old problem with the feed mechanism came up - the backlash was minimal, but it was enough for distortions to begin. I had to stop work and look for spare parts. And this is a typical story.

Here it is important not just to walk around, but to climb under the bale chamber, check the pins, springs, and the condition of the belts and chains. Especially chains - their wear is often visible only upon detailed inspection, and replacing the entire set is a serious expense. And yes, maintenance documentation - if there is none, it's a red flag. The owner who looked after the car usually keeps everything.

Another point is the seasonality of use. If a bute baler was purchased from a large farm, where it plowed from morning to night for several months a year, its service life will be very different from the same device from a small farm with moderate load. I always ask what fields I worked in, what crop was most often pressed. Alfalfa or tough steppe grass - different load on the knives and camera.

Key nodes to look at first

The heart of any bale press is the bale chamber and the bale formation unit. Here, any deformations, even small dents, lead to problems with density and geometry. I have seen cars where they tried to manipulate the camera with a sledgehammer - after this the bale begins to “dance”, and there is no talk of any stability.

The second most important is the feed mechanism and pressing pistons. Backlash, hydraulic leaks, the condition of the rods - all this is checked under load. Ideally, you can see the machine in operation before purchasing. Once I agreed to test drive an old Krone Variant - at idle everything worked perfectly, but as soon as the mass began to flow, jerks began in the hydraulic system. It turned out that the problem was a worn-out pump that did not hold pressure.

And third is the strapping system. Needles, spindle, knotter. This is the part that most often fails in used equipment. Rusty needles and worn knotter parts are a guarantee of twine breakage and downtime. Spare parts for older models, especially imported ones, sometimes have to wait for weeks. Therefore, I immediately assess how widespread the model is in the region and whether there are spare parts for it.

Experience with specific brands and what I learned from it

I have worked with different equipment, and I have my own observations on bute bale presses. Old New Hollands - such as the BB 9060 - are often workhorses. The design is simple, maintainability is high, spare parts are easy to find. But it is the pressing chamber that often wears out; you need to carefully look at the guide plates.

German presses, like the Krone or Claas, are famous for their accuracy and productivity, but their electronics and hydraulics become a headache with age. The control unit may fail, and replacing or repairing it is expensive and slow. Once I encountered the fact that after replacing the sensor on Claas it still gave an error - I had to go through all the wiring and look for a break.

But what surprised me is that sometimes it makes more sense to look not at the most popular European brand, but at equipment from reliable manufacturers from China, which have now reached a completely different level. For example, if we talk about new cars, then the companyHulunbuir Machinery Manufacturing Company ?Jiujia?(website can be viewed atcn-fascar.ru) offers quite interesting solutions. They position themselves as a modern intellectual enterprise that combines development, production and service in the field of agricultural machinery. I haven’t personally tested their bute baler press, but I’ve heard from colleagues about the new models that they focus on the reliability of the units and adaptation to our conditions. For some, buying a new one from such a manufacturer may be more profitable than racing to repair an old “renowned” one. used press.

Typical mistakes when purchasing and using

The most common mistake is skimping on diagnostics. It seems that everything is visible anyway. But without measuring the pressure in the hydraulic system, checking the compression in the chamber (if possible) and testing the harness, you are buying a pig in a poke. Once I didn’t check the knotter settings - in the field it started skipping every third bale. I had to adjust it on the fly, wasting time.

The second mistake is ignoring storage conditions. The press that stood in the open air for five years and the one that was in the hangar are two different machines. Corrosion is doing its job, especially in units where the lubricant has been washed away. I always look at the condition of bolted connections and paint in hard-to-reach places - this says a lot about care.

And thirdly, there is a lack of understanding of exactly what tasks a machine is needed for. If you plan to bale only hay for your needs, maybe an old baler will do the job. And for large volumes for sale, where bale speed and density are important, a weak or worn-out machine will slow down the entire process. Calculate the resource immediately.

Instead of a conclusion: personal selection algorithm

Over time, I developed my own routine. First, a clear understanding of the budget and tasks. Then - a search not just for a model, but for specific proposals with a history. I definitely request a video of the work if a personal inspection is not immediately possible. I look not at the general view, but at the key components that I mentioned above.

Then - checking logistics and availability of spare parts. There is no point in buying a unique model for which there are neither parts nor a specialist within a radius of 500 km. Sometimes it is better to take a less advanced, but more common in the region, model of a bale press.

And finally, I always leave a cushion in the budget. 15-20% of the purchase price - for the inevitable minor repairs, adjustments and replacement of consumables. Used equipment almost always needs this. If you approach it with this in mind, then there will be less disappointment, and the purchased press will truly become a working tool, and not a source of constant problems. That's probably all I wanted to share based on my experience.