Upgrade from a Welger Rp202? Square or round?

[Magik22]

I’m thinking of swapping my very tired welger rp202 farmer in for something a bit better. Any recommendations? Something with a wide pickup would make life easier! Mostly baling hay but occasional haylage. I don’t do that many bales a year so budget is in the £5k area, preferably less! I know an older baler might have some down time but that’s not too much of a problem, the Rp202 has taught me a lot about the mechanics of a round baler!! I’ve toyed with the idea of an older square baler, D1010 or something along those lines. But I’ve no experience of big square balers and would imagine there’s a lot more to go wrong and repairs could be pricey. I’ve got 120hp to pull it, some of my ground is pretty steep so could be interesting! Thanks

 

[michael N123]

Remember if you change to a square baler there’s more of a panic to get hay/straw in the shed

 

[Matthew Britton]

I have too much experience of both now. If you value your bank balance buy another round baler. Even at top money a big square is a money pit. Bottom end the pit is cavernous!

 

[Magik22]

My only experience with anything square was a NH 378 and it wasn’t much fun...and that was on a much smaller scale! However much easier squares are to handle etc.. I think I’ll take your advice and stick to a round baler. So a round roller baler under £5k...what’s a good option? Would Rp200 or 220 be better than a 202? I’ve seen some Claas 46 balers for a reasonable price.

 

[Monty]

What issues did you have with the rp202?

We have an rp200 with wide pick up. It's ok but has design issues with the pickup reel and non greasable bearings. I know ours intimately as well. A 220 would be much better and you could probably get one for your budget now they're a bit older

 

[Magik22]

What issues did you have with the rp202?

We have an rp200 with wide pick up. It's ok but has design issues with the pickup reel and non greasable bearings. I know ours intimately as well. A 220 would be much better and you could probably get one for your budget now they're a bit older

To be fair my rp202 had major issues when I bought it. A bearing had gone on one of the idler sprockets and it had been run without the sprocket for a bit of time, so that required some fabrication to repair. The bottom roller had taken a battering and worn out the bolt holes for securing the end bearings, which also required a lot of fabrication. I’ve had to replace a lot of the nylon bushes in the pick up reel. It doesn’t tend to make the most solid bales, possibly driver error! But it’s on its last legs really

 

[Skintagain]

To be fair my rp202 had major issues when I bought it. A bearing had gone on one of the idler sprockets and it had been run without the sprocket for a bit of time, so that required some fabrication to repair. The bottom roller had taken a battering and worn out the bolt holes for securing the end bearings, which also required a lot of fabrication. I’ve had to replace a lot of the nylon bushes in the pick up reel. It doesn’t tend to make the most solid bales, possibly driver error! But it’s on its last legs really

Did you swap your baler?

 

[glasshouse]

My only experience with anything square was a NH 378 and it wasn’t much fun...and that was on a much smaller scale! However much easier squares are to handle etc.. I think I’ll take your advice and stick to a round baler. So a round roller baler under £5k...what’s a good option? Would Rp200 or 220 be better than a 202? I’ve seen some Claas 46 balers for a reasonable price.

You will get a good claas 250 for under £5000

 

[Magik22]

Did you swap your baler?

Yes managed to pick up a fairly tidy Vicon rf135 locally. Wasn’t what I planned on getting but I know where it’s come from and it had a genuine reason for sale. Makes a good bale, going to need to chains and sprockets before too long though...could be pricey!