McHale 998

[Andrew]

Looking at a secondhand machine as a backup, what are the common faults / problems, things to look for?

 

[Speedstar]

They are more or less bullet proof,early ones turn faster than the later ones, you get the old bearing on the floor chain drives but that is about it

 

[eagleye]

we have one we might sell only used for haylage as back up,
reliable older machine. use a contractor now and he borrows ours when his breaks down

 

[Andrew]

Cheers. Are they very much a standard machine apart from the roundbale kit?

@Speedstar can they wrap 2x 120x90s on top of each other?

 

[Mark C]

Cheers. Are they very much a standard machine apart from the roundbale kit?

@Speedstar can they wrap 2x 120x90s on top of each other?

Think only 70tall twin packs are possible.

Options are
Remote kit
Rear roller table ( bit gentler on discharge if ground a bit stony )
Round bale kit.

 

[Speedstar]

Cheers. Are they very much a standard machine apart from the roundbale kit?

@Speedstar can they wrap 2x 120x90s on top of each other?

We have wrapped to quads togetther but not any bigger

 

[puntabrava]

Cheers. Are they very much a standard machine apart from the roundbale kit?

@Speedstar can they wrap 2x 120x90s on top of each other?

No they struggle to lift one of mine.

 

[Andrew]

Was having a brain fart last night. McHale says maximum 1.6x1.2m. I was thinking 2x0.9=1.6, not 1.8!

 

[Speedstar]

No they struggle to lift one of mine.

we have wrapped bales over 1200kg each with it no problem at all

 

[puntabrava]

we have wrapped bales over 1200kg each with it no problem at all

We have wrapped 1700kg bales at the rate of 170 hr whilst achieving a per bale fuel usage of 0.002 litres per bale using a pto power pack with a cat 3408 power unit.

 

[eagleye]

can break small shaft up top where wrap arms rotate from (in hydraulic motor?) thats where it goes for our man, then he borrows ours (its never broke there - yet)

 

[Andrew]

Anyone know what this button does?

 

[Mark C]

Nope. Not got that on mine. 2011 machine

 

[puntabrava]

Anyone know what this button does?

View attachment 793300

Turns the light on?

 

[Andrew]

Turns the light on?

Nope, tried that.

 

[Spencer]

Have you tried pressing it

 

[Andrew]

Have you tried pressing it

Was a bit loathe to try it without knowing.

Mc Hale seem to be really good at emails - sent them one at 9pm last night and got a reply at 0830 this morning. Apparently it turns the wrap arms to allow loading.
They also sent me a copy of the manual.

Impressed with the service so far.

 

[Spencer]

Was a bit loathe to try it without knowing.

Mc Hale seem to be really good at emails - sent them one at 9pm last night and got a reply at 0830 this morning. Apparently it turns the wrap arms to allow loading.
They also sent me a copy of the manual.

Impressed with the service so far.

Always found them very good to deal with.

Sorry to see our 998 go last week, was bought new in 2003 and been pretty much faultless! Just hope the Kuhn performs as well...

 

[Hanzcock]

That button rotates the satellites round when you’re loading the dispenser so you don’t have to walk round with a roll to the other side Well that’s what it does on my 2.

 

[ED.D]

Just swapped a Mchale for a Kuhn and don’t regret it in any way shape or form. Had Kuhn on demo last season and was really impressed with how it ran. More importantly how it pulls in to get through narrow gates and tight lanes.