Well, it was an exciting time the last week. Greased up everything and started baling last Thursday. All went pretty well other than the old 285 wanted to run hot and loose power so it slowed me down. Friday started ok then had a baler fire. Brand new fire extinguisher didn't work. Dumped the bale. Inspected the baler and figured it must have been a stick that rubbed something. Started again and another baler fire. This one almost got away from me due to the wind. It tried to burn up all I had cut but I managed to get it out. Back to the barn.
Found floor chain rubbing a stripper. Replaced two floor chains that didn't look good. Finished that field with no more fires.
Saturday I started baling another field and got about 1/3 done and lost an apron chain gear bearing. Of all the bearings I had, none would work. Tractor supply 31 miles away had 1. Made it there and back in under an hour. Practically had to disassemble the baler to change it. Got it changed and started again Sunday. Got most all of mine up and figured to get the rest Monday and bale the neighbors for him. Baled six bales and both apron chains broke. Spent the rest of the day looking for a contract baler to do the neighbors. Found one and got all his in the next day. Boy it must be nice to be able to bale that fast! My old stuff just won't go that fast.
Lost water pump on the Ford with the FEL.
I have ordered new apron chains ($850), and all new bearings, two gears, some strippers, and some springs ($500). Plan to just do it all while it is apart. Got one field I want to cut but it appears there may be frost on the pumpkin before I get the parts and get them in.
Here is the aftermath.
Found floor chain rubbing a stripper. Replaced two floor chains that didn't look good. Finished that field with no more fires.
Saturday I started baling another field and got about 1/3 done and lost an apron chain gear bearing. Of all the bearings I had, none would work. Tractor supply 31 miles away had 1. Made it there and back in under an hour. Practically had to disassemble the baler to change it. Got it changed and started again Sunday. Got most all of mine up and figured to get the rest Monday and bale the neighbors for him. Baled six bales and both apron chains broke. Spent the rest of the day looking for a contract baler to do the neighbors. Found one and got all his in the next day. Boy it must be nice to be able to bale that fast! My old stuff just won't go that fast.
Lost water pump on the Ford with the FEL.
I have ordered new apron chains ($850), and all new bearings, two gears, some strippers, and some springs ($500). Plan to just do it all while it is apart. Got one field I want to cut but it appears there may be frost on the pumpkin before I get the parts and get them in.
Here is the aftermath.
