Need You Gut Level Assessment. Please?

Here's the deal I tripped across:

Neighbor who feeds 1,000 head of cattle bought this New Holland 855 baler 2 or 3 years ago on a farm sale. Bought it solely as a stand-by machine. He bought it and parked it; has never used it because his main machine hasn't went down on him yet.

Said that the original owner stated at the auction that they had been using the baler; works A-Okay.

Subsequently, my neighbor has just bought one of those big John Deere $40K balers and wants to move these two 855's out of his yard.

The main baler is tired and I'm not interested it it.

However, I went over there this morning and really looked this "standby" machine over. Can't have had 3,000 bales run thru it. Rollers aren't dimpled one bit, sprockets are good and the chain "appears" like a new one.

The only thing I can see wrong with the unit is that the left pickup wheel has been smacked; it is bent and doesn't run straight ahead. Also, the air bag sliding rods look as though they could use some bushings.

I know it is hard to tell from the pictures, but what do you think of this baler? It is a hydraulic tie; not the auto-wrap. He's got the price set "very neighborly".

Thanks for your opinion,

Allan

I like the hyd tie, you can decide how much twine to put on. The only bummer is when you hit the wrong lever and the gate cracks open:(
Everything comes to a screaching halt, usually could get em going again if you backed into another bale though.

If the price is good and you can swing it, I`d pick it up.
Those old beasts are getting hard to find in any decent shape anymore. Trust me, I`ve been waitng for one to cross my path. Good luck Brokenwrench

Do not purchase: I can see no place to attach a heated/cooled cab.
mono

From what I can see that baler looks on great shape. If the price is good go for it. Shoot, you have those minor problems fixed in no time and be sippin hot coco in a week.

We use one esrly this summer on the reclaimed field. Lots of stubble and woody plants. Man, that dude just baled all that junk up and never missed a beat.

Until that big John Deere came out, nothing in the world could touch these things. They are just a "monster" baler. Heck, the chain uses #80, heavy duty chain with a 2" tube and like ya say, they'll bale trees.

I really think the thing would go to the field right now with just the addition of a hitch pin.

Allan

One thing I didn't mention. :>(

It has John Deere hydraulic tips on it.

Would ya think that this would be much of a detremint to the baler itself? :>) :>) :>)

Allan

I bet I got 40 of them that I took off.

I switched my blocks on my 1086 to ISO when I bought the MX.

I'll ship to you. Kinda a trade for that front end.

Gary

I'd rather take a beating than admit this in public..... ....

But, I'm already lookin'! :>(

Gotta be a Year-Round with heat and air tho. :>)

Allan

But no air thats why it's off,he put an air cab on it.

Gary

But no air thats why it's off he put an air cab on it.

Gary

Were you looking for a new baler before you seen this one, or is it, "I see it I want it?"

Sorry about sounding so negative, If it was me, I'd buy it only if I'd think this new one would put me money ahead.

later,
Brett

That's exactly why I posted this here.

Naw, my baler is a gem of an outfit; just works like a new one. It does need a slip clutch, which I was gonna put in this winter anyway, but other than that, nothin wrong with it at all.

I just happened to "stumble" across this one yesterday.

Allan

I don't think sitting for 2-3 years in your climate will have hurt it much, if at all. Some new balers sit on dealer lots that long.

Did ya figure out what that feller was talking about with regard to that "finger" or whatever?

Good luck!

That was on the other baler. The chain is setting there with slack in it so it has got to be one of the forming cams that he was talking about.

That unit has been used tho. Like I say, he feeds 1,000 head of cattle and the machine is showing signs of thin sheet metal on the walls.

So, I didn't spend a heck of a lot of time around that one.

Allan

That wheel is nothin'; I can straighten it with a bar and about 5 minutes woth of "tug".

It is time to put a slip clutch in my baler 'cause it is starting to get a little sloppy. Other than that, it'll probably run me another 10 years, easy.

But, this 855 is the "Big Mama" of New Holland's chain balers and I can buy it for 'bout twice the price of that new slip clutch.

Dunno, I just don't like being broke down when there's hay to put up and I'm thinkin' that it wouldn't hurt to have another cheap baler setting around just for "emergency's" sake.

Allan

Last baling, the 720 broke down, pulled out the 620 and it broke down too! Now I got 2 headaches!
I'm gonna sell the 620!
Good luck!