used press picker

When you hear “used pick-up press?”, many immediately have the image of cheap, broken equipment that is about to be repaired. This is partly true, but not all. This is where the main catch lies - you can’t generalize here. I went through this myself, buying both successful copies and outright rubbish, which I then only disassembled for spare parts. It all depends not on the fact of being “used”, but on what kind of car is in front of you, how it was driven and where it worked.

Why are used balers even considered?

The reasons are, of course, economic. A new baler is a serious investment, especially for a small farm or a farmer who is just expanding his production. A used unit allows you to start working with less starting capital. But here it is important to understand: savings on purchases can result in repair costs. I always tell my colleagues: if you don’t have your own mechanic or you’re not ready to tinker with the hardware yourself, it’s better to think ten times.

Another point is seasonality. Sometimes you need to close the peak season, but your unit is down. It is not always possible to rent, so they are looking for a temporary solution. But often this is ?temporary? the press then remains on the farm for years, if you are lucky with the condition.

And yes, there is a category of “workhorses”. Old Claas, John Deere, New Holland, which are made to last. Their resource is enormous, and if they have been serviced, then even after 10-15 years of operation they can give odds to some new budget models. But finding one is like winning the lottery.

Key nodes for diagnosis: without sentimentality

When you approach a used baler, you need to turn off all emotions. Do not look at the freshly painted frame (this is a common trick of sellers), but crawl under it. First -pressing chamberand wicker. Wear of fingers, condition of the shafts on which the rods rotate, rollers. Any play or unnatural wear is a red flag. Replacing wicker is not a cheap repair.

Second -drive. Power take-off shaft (PTO) and gearbox. You need to listen to how it works under load, to see if there are any extraneous knocks or vibrations. Check the oil level in the gearbox (if there is a dipstick) - its condition will tell you a lot. Cloudy, with metal shavings - a bad sign.

Third - feed units andpicker. Needle or rake drums and their bearings. This is often where the problems start, because these parts take up all the debris from the field. Worn pick-up teeth immediately mean loss of hay and poor-quality bales.

History is most important

A passport or service book is an ideal, but in reality they almost never exist. Therefore, the main source of information is the seller. You need to ask specific questions: in what areas did you work? Only on your own fields or rented out? What was broken? When were the belts and bearings changed? The answers often make everything clear. If a person mumbles or speaks in general phrases, he is most likely hiding something.

Once I bought, at first glance, decent abs. The seller swore that he only used it on his small property. And when I started disassembling it for maintenance, I found sand in the most unexpected places and traces of welding on the frame, which were covered up. It turned out that the car was working on water meadows near the river, hence the sand, corrosion, and overload. A lesson for life.

So now I always try to contact the previous mechanic if there are contacts. His words are usually more valuable than the words of the owner.

When a used option is a smart choice

There are situations when buying a used press is not a gamble, but a balanced decision. For example, if you already have a fleet of equipment of a certain brand (say, John Deere), and you find the same modelused press picker. Spare parts are interchangeable, the mechanic knows all his “sores”. This makes life a lot easier.

Or if you take the car as a donor of spare parts for your main unit. Sometimes it is more profitable to buy a whole, but non-working press, than to order a new gearbox or chamber separately.

It is also wise to buy used equipment when there is a proven, “cult” one on the market. model with a huge repair base. The same Soviet PPR or some early Claas. They have everything, and any tractor driver knows them like the back of his hand.

Alternative: new solutions from trusted manufacturers

Of course, the game is not always worth the candle. Sometimes it is easier and more reliable to invest in new equipment, especially when it comes to modern energy-efficient models. For example, I sometimes look at manufacturers’ websites to keep abreast of trends. I saw interesting solutions fromHulunbuir Machinery Manufacturing Company ?Jiujia?. Judging by the information on theirhttps://www.cn-fascar.ru, a serious approach - a full cycle from development to service. The company positions itself as a modern intelligent enterprise for agriculture and livestock farming.

What does this mean in practice? Often such manufacturers, especially those who rely on R&D, offer good value for money. Their new balers may be easier to maintain, have smart ergonomics and, importantly, come with a warranty. For a household that considers long-term risks, this may be more profitable than the constant repair of an unknown “used” car. unit.

I don’t encourage you to buy their equipment - you need to look, test, communicate with those who have already bought. But the emergence of such players on the market cannot be ignored. Their products are often the very alternative to the risky purchase of used equipment.

Final thoughts: not the price, but the cost of ownership

Everything I’ve written here comes down to one simple but often forgotten truth: you need to look not at the price tag, but at the cost of ownership.Used balerfor 300 thousand rubles, which will require another 200 thousand for repairs in the first season, is worse than a new one for 800 thousand, which will simply work.

You need to soberly assess your strengths and resources. Do you have time, skills, a garage with tools and access to inexpensive spare parts? Then you can take a risk. If not, it’s better to look for other ways. Sometimes this way may be cooperation with a neighboring farm or, as I already said, a look towards new, but more affordable lines from manufacturers who, likeHulunbuir company ?Jiujia?, are actively developing their presence in the market.

In general, this topic is not simple. Each case is unique. The main thing is to take your time, look deeply and consider all the risks. Then the “used” one the press can become a faithful assistant, not a headache.