Got a lucky deal on a baler belt today!

Had to replace the last original belt on our 648 NH baler today. It has 27 000 bales on it now so there?s no shame for them. Each belt had a bunch of thin spots on them when the endless belt seam tore so we just replaced them as they went with new belts with lacings. I called today to get a new one made up 343? long as usual and they said they have a cheaper option if we?re intetested. They had a barely used belt returned because it was a few inches too short and they wanted another new one made. They trimmed it to 343? and other than it was dirty it still looks new for $5/ft instead of $12. The oldest belt on it now is 4 yrs old with 3 of them new this summer so we shouldn?t have to worry about new belts likely as long as we have it now. After years of fighting with the net I finally figured out how to keep it working. There?s 4 springs on the net brake. I have 6,4 of them are as original and 2 more that are doubled over for extra pull. When I put a new roll of net in I run the 4 normal springs. When the roll is about half or better used up it decides it doesn?t want to cut the net. Then I pop off the 2 front springs and switch them for the doubled over ones and it works perfect till the rolls empty. Saves a ton of fighting with the net not cutting. I replaced the knife blades ,brake sheath and net holders ,everything is working properly,switching the springs works every time.

Philip Do you ever check the length of your belts??? With four years of difference in the numbers of bales It would surprise me if the belts would be the same length anymore. I know mine change/stretch over just the single season. The middles ones more than the outside ones. I like my belts to be within six inches of the same length. The JD belts are longer 531" and 525".

That?s a good idea JD thank you. The 3 I put on this summer are definitely tighter than the other 3. The first one I replaced got flipped during first cut silage and did some damage to the lacings so that one will be coming off during the winter to be repaired and it will be retrimmed then. I better check the other 2 as well when I?m at it.

6" is a lot of difference.
My NH BR7070 book says 1 1/2".
I helped a friend relace his Vermeer a few years ago, he had ripped the lace out of a belt that was 7" shorter than the longest one on the baler, Vermeer recommended not over 2" difference on his baler.
The old Hesston 5545 I had years ago allowed up to 4" but I had less issues with belts if I keep them closer to the same length.

I need to get a spare belt for my present baler, last baler had endless belts that lasted for years, now I'm back to a laced belt baler so I know what's coming someday.