MF20 Baler

[GavinJ]

Has anyone experienced problems with a MF20-8 baler producing different length bales? For some reason they are very dense but also vary widely in length - between 40 and 48 inches. As you can imagine a nightmare to stack!

 

[le bon paysan]

Try a hammer on the star wheel axle.

 

[essexpete]

Either uneven feeding, revs too slow with very large wads or as above with the star wheel on the trip slipping.

 

[Lincsman]

I think it would have to be very uneven feeding for that difference, how rough is the ground?, its the star wheel arm not gripping hard enough.

 

[GavinJ]

The ground is steep and uneven in places. I haven't worked out exactly what is going on but bale density has been far too high and I have discovered that wedges have been fitted in the bale chamber. the adjusters were slackened right off and some bales took 2 people to lift. having removed the wedges and adjusted the star wheel setting I am now getting a more consistent length and bales that are manageable albeit some are too loose at the moment but will try tightening up on the density slightly now. I can't see any issues with the star wheel assembly not gripping

 

[essexpete]

Have you experimented with the PTO rpm?

 

[Skintagain]

My dad can make any baler do this

 

[DaveB]

The ground is steep and uneven in places. I haven't worked out exactly what is going on but bale density has been far too high and I have discovered that wedges have been fitted in the bale chamber. the adjusters were slackened right off and some bales took 2 people to lift. having removed the wedges and adjusted the star wheel setting I am now getting a more consistent length and bales that are manageable albeit some are too loose at the moment but will try tightening up on the density slightly now. I can't see any issues with the star wheel assembly not gripping

You dont say what you are baling, but wedges should only be installed when baling straw, not hay and only one pair at at a time to get the desired weight /density in conjunction with the density screws at the rear of the chamber.
If you do install wedges for straw make sure they face thin edge forward (I have seen them fitted wrong way round)
check bale weight every few bales when you start baling and be aware that the pressure may need to be increased as the chamber gets warmer also even small changes in weather conditions can make a big difference to bale weight.

 

[GavinJ]

You dont say what you are baling, but wedges should only be installed when baling straw, not hay and only one pair at at a time to get the desired weight /density in conjunction with the density screws at the rear of the chamber.
If you do install wedges for straw make sure they face thin edge forward (I have seen them fitted wrong way round)
check bale weight every few bales when you start baling and be aware that the pressure may need to be increased as the chamber gets warmer also even small changes in weather conditions can make a big difference to bale weight.

We were baling hay and trying to dodge the rain which added to the pressure. I am not sure the history of the baler but was told that it hadn't been used for a few years but was previously used on a small holding baling about 15 acres of hay a year maximum. I think it is due for a bit of an overhaul this winter as it seems to like eating chains at the moment. The wedges were the correct way around and only 2 wedges were fitted.

 

[Skintagain]

20’s do not rush they need time