John Deere 466 (Silage Special) Baler

DiffLock · Dec 19, 2019

Earlier this year we got an old used JD round baler and for the first time made our own round bales. Until now we were previously getting our hay baled by neighbours or hay contractors, so I was pleased to be able to make our own hay, but unfortunately it also meant going back to twine bales as our baler is twine only.

Recently I saw an ad for a John Deere 466 (Silage Special) with net wrap for sale at a good price. Not much info in the ad, just that it has done approx 29,000 bales. Basic appearance seemed OK in the photos but couldn't see much detail.

Sounds like a lot of hay has been through this baler, does 29,000 sound like too many bales? I'm guessing that the answer will depend on the baler's previous usage, how it was stored, etc? Our use is quite modest also (maybe 200 round bales per year).

Would this be better asked on a hay forum?

Thanks for any advice!
Fred.

Willow Lane · Dec 19, 2019

I'm sure you will get lots of opinions, and they are all worth about what you pay for them. We run a 457 Silage Special, and the one common advice that we got before we
bought it was to stay away from the **6 series baler. JD did a major redesign starting with the **6 balers and had a lot of things that they didn't get quite right. There
made a lot of little improvements when they went to the **7 series. I know you will be looking at more money, but it will be worth it in the long run. As to the 29,000
bales, it's getting up there, but for 200 bales a year, I wouldn't worry about it.

Tx Jim · Dec 19, 2019

Due to the fact that I purchased a new JD 466 several yrs back I must ask does baler you're inquiring about have a Mega-wide pickup? If so "Run Forest run". The feeder fingers mounted under the pickup on a crankshaft with nylon brgs wasn't one of JD engineers most shining moments. After crankshaft got worn I couldn't keep the feeder fingers to stay on. I add the germination rate on the feeders fingers wasn't very good BUT at least I didn't end up with a set stuck in rear tractor tire. My '05 JD 467 rd baler has 26,000+ bales on it & I wouldn't hesitate to bale hay with it. Also the feeders fingers on 467/567 & later model rd balers are very reliable.

DiffLock · Dec 19, 2019

(quoted from post at 01:29:09 12/20/19)
... does baler you're inquiring about have a Mega-wide pickup? If so "Run Forest run".

Not sure. I haven't contacted the seller yet. The ad had very few details and didn't mention the type of pickup.

Would I be able to tell the difference between a regular wide pickup and a mega-wide p/u from photos, or do I need to ask the seller?

Also, was it just the "mega-wide" pickup that was problematic, or did the regular "wide" pickup have issues too?

Thank you again!
Fred.

Tx Jim · Dec 19, 2019

It's my understanding that regular pickup balers are fine very similar to baling with a model 435 except 466 has electric operated twine arms. I've also be told that the complete Mega-wide pickup from later models will fit 466. Photo of side door should show if it has Mega-wide plus photo of frt baler will show if pickup is wider than bale chamber if it's a Mega-wide model. IMHO if one bales with a baler 467 & newer with MWPU they won't want to bale with narrow pickup again. I know I'm that way. Also there's no need with MWPU for converging wheels that sorta pulled the hay in.

DiffLock · Dec 21, 2019

I have had a closer look at the photos of this 466 for sale (unfortunately the sale listing had only 2 photos and were not taken from a good angle) and after comparing it with other 466s on the internet I'm now pretty sure it has the wide pickup.

It was tempting but for now I think I might pass on this one. The price is ok but we've already got the bugs ironed out of our old 550 (European model, 6x4) so I could be better off putting the money towards a better rake instead of chasing a net baler just at the moment!

Thank you again Jim, I always really appreciate your advice!

Fred.

Tx Jim · Dec 21, 2019

You're welcome. If I may ask what was the price?

DiffLock · Dec 21, 2019

(quoted from post at 23:53:24 12/21/19)
You're welcome. If I may ask what was the price?

About $6500 (Australia).

Tx Jim · Dec 21, 2019

That price would be very cheap in the USA. Are there any rd baler salvage yards in Australia? If so I'd suggest to buy it & attempt to install newer style MWPU on it

DiffLock · Dec 21, 2019

That price would be very cheap in the USA.

Even with 29,000 bales on the counter?

Are there any rd baler salvage yards in Australia?

There are a few that I know of, but not many. They probably don't have the wide selection of machines that you would have over there.

If so I'd suggest to buy it & attempt to install newer style MWPU on it

I'll have a think about it over Christmas! I know of a wrecked 590 (European build) with a wide pickup, not sure of actual condition of p/u, and not sure if interchangeable with US built models.

Tx Jim · Dec 21, 2019

I wouldn't sell my 467 MWPU baler that's not a silage special for $10,000. It has over 26,000 bales on it.

How many bales are you planning on baling per yr?

Before you plan on putting a newer MWPU on a 466 more research needs to be performed.

DiffLock · Dec 21, 2019

(quoted from post at 03:34:49 12/22/19)
I wouldn't sell my 467 MWPU baler that's not a silage special for $10,000. It has over 26,000 bales on it.

How many bales are you planning on baling per yr?

Before you plan on putting a newer MWPU on a 466 more research needs to be performed.

Our use is quite modest, about 200 bales/year.

We only just got the 550 this year, and it made some nice bales for us. It's got plenty of life left in it so I don't desperately need another baler. I would like to upgrade to net one day, which is the main reason this 466 caught my eye, but I didn't seriously think that we would upgrade the 550 after just one season! I am often browsing machinery sales listings even when I'm not in the market!

As I said, I'm happy with our 550 except for not having net. Do you think if I could find a wrecked baler with a net unit that I might be able to transplant it to our 550 instead? Or not very easy?

Thank you again!

Tx Jim · Dec 22, 2019

I installed a similar new netwrap attachment many yrs ago on a 435 I owned so I could have net. The newer type netwrap attachments such that 467 & later balers have is much better system. I think net attachment for 66 series is similar to 67 series but not identical. My 466 was twine only model.

For just 200 bales a yr I'd try utilizing the 466 @ $6500. Back when I had my 466 I was baling 5000-6000 bales a yr. If you buy the 466 & the feeder forks give you trouble I can give you some hints that will help keep baler operating. My 466 would bale grass hay fine with middle set of feeder fingers MIA but Sudan type hay.

DiffLock · Dec 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 22:09:42 12/22/19)
For just 200 bales a yr I'd try utilizing the 466 @ $6500. Back when I had my 466 I was baling 5000-6000 bales a yr. If you buy the 466 & the feeder forks give you trouble I can give you some hints that will help keep baler operating. My 466 would bale grass hay fine with middle set of feeder fingers MIA but Sudan type hay.

Our hay is just pasture with rye grass, clover, etc. We only get one hay cut per season, most of our rain falls over winter.

Does the silage special version need more hp on the tractor (just making hay, not silage)? Our 70hp Case pulled the JD 550 baler this year without any problems and that was mostly on the hills too. We made smaller bales rather than full size of course.

I'm having a really good long hard think about getting this 466, but haven't decided one way or the other yet. An upgraded baler wasn't really in our budget, but then sometimes you come across these things when you aren't really looking. If I don't get it then I might kick myself later, but of course I know there will always be more balers out there! It is much further away than the last baler, and I thought that was a long slow trip home too!

Great advice as always, thanks again!

Fred.

Tx Jim · Dec 22, 2019

HP requirement for baling dry hay should be the same for either baler. For the price I'd have to give the 466 a test run.

DiffLock · Dec 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 00:56:55 12/23/19)
HP requirement for baling dry hay should be the same for either baler. For the price I'd have to give the 466 a test run.

As it turns out I don't need to make a decision on the 466 as someone else has already bought it! At that price I can see why it sold quickly!

John Deere 466 (Silage Special) Baler

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