Inline baler behind a MF65?

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

I'd guess there's several guys here that have run inline balers and probably the same on old tractors. I don't have any experience with newer balers at all. No idea if there are features on them that require certain things other that the basics from the tractor. Special hydraulic outputs, special electrical outputs? Anything that would make a combination like this a no-go deal?

Hay hay hay · Sep 28, 2021

I have wondered if the old MF tractors have enough ground clearance to straddle a big windrow, and the exhaust pipe is down in the windrow? That is a consideration.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 28, 2021

If you're talking about small square balers, which I can only imagine you are, they can be as simple as a hitch pin and PTO.

Small square balers are largely unchanged in the last 40 years. Manual bale tension and no thrower, they're as simple as they ever were. The only difference is the location of the pickup.

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

This has an up pipe on it, but the swath clearance was part 2 on this subject. I had a 65 several years back that sat about a foot higher and was wondering about swapping the spindles and taller tires/wheels onto this one for it.

Timmycornpicker · Sep 28, 2021

I have a 65 utility. It would run my Hesston 4550 if I needed it to do so. However, it is lacking clearance for the windrow. A wide front row crop would not have a problem. My tractor has factory vertical exhaust, which is a must for an inline baler. Any electrical accessory for the baler would be 12 volt and no issue. If the baler has a thrower, the MF factory remote is adequate for swing cylinder. The hydraulic thrower drive itself is self-contained. My baler does not have not have the hydraulic bale tension option, so I don't know if anything more than the 65 has would be needed if the baler were so equipped.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 28, 2021

Unless you have the wheels and spindles on hand already, or you know where there are some, finding those specific parts may be a problem.

The larger wheels also increase your ground speed.

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

Spindles are available new aftermarket for ~ $130/pair. Finding the upright could be a problem if I can't make or modify them.
I've also thought about a bellypan to make the tractor slide right over the hay.

Timmycornpicker · Sep 28, 2021

The row crop used longer three-point arms than the utility, so keep that in mind as well. May or may not be an issue depending on what's being hooked to the three point.

Timmycornpicker · Sep 28, 2021

oh, and All States Ag Parts, who now owns this site, has 65 row crops in the yards so the rear wheels shouldn't be a problem to find.

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

Good catch, I forgot about the arms.

Timmycornpicker · Sep 28, 2021

Another question would be how big are your windrows? Back when I mowed with a seven foot haybine and raked first cutting, I think the windrow clearance wouldn't have been an issue (I didn't have the inline then.) The disc mower conditioner I currently use make a 9 foot swath, and that would cause problems, especially if the hay was fertilized. One solution I've heard of, but haven't needed to try, is to attach a large truck mudflap under the transmission to push the windrow down.

Bob N.Y. · Sep 28, 2021

If you are talking about converting a standard clearance 65 to a high arch, bear in mind there is a difference in gearing that compensates for the difference in tire size. Putting 38 inch tires on a standard would make a rather fast tractor. You would be better off looking for a true high arch.

Bob N.Y. · Sep 28, 2021

The high arch tractors also had an extra bracket under the rear axle housing that the lower links attached to.

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

Not really converting, just gaining some height.

Loren Coffin · Sep 28, 2021

I've been thinking something along the lines of squashing the windrow too. I think using the 65 for this is totally doable with as many different methods there are to make it happen.

cjunrau · Sep 28, 2021

Ground clearance is not an issue. All you need is a sheet of tin front to back. My boss 30 years ago did that to a jd 30 series tractor to round bale with. We had to go past the pin on the hitch as it would catch the swath. We used 16 ft haybine.

casecollectorsc · Sep 28, 2021

Put a piece of tin under the tractor to deflect the windrow, hook up the baler and go...not rocket science...it either works or not.

Tractorcedric · Sep 28, 2021

I may have to put a piece of tin on my Oliver 77 just to rake with. Thanks for the info!!

Uncle murph · Sep 29, 2021

If you dont like the tin suggestion you could also punch a hole through a old truck mudflap and slide it up on the drawbar before hooking up.Its what I have been doing for the past 20yrs.

caterpillar guy · Sep 29, 2021

If bottom clearance is a problem just use a different tractor or ad a row crop model for more clearance. I bale with an 806 and it will rub the windrow some though never was a problem.

Inline baler behind a MF65?

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

Member

Well-known Member

New User

Member

Member

New User

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads