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You Essential Preseason Checklist to Prep Your Baler

Apr. 30 2020 Seasonal By ____

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As you’re waiting for hay or other similar crops to grow, you’ll need to be preparing to harvest it. When the hay is ready to cut, you’ll want your baler ready to go. That’s why Middletown Tractor Sales has provided some tips to help you pull your baler out of storage and get it ready for the first pass. You can also contact us about getting your baler looked at by a professional in order to address any mechanical problems before you get started. We have locations in Fairmont and Buckhannon, WV, as well as locations in Washington and Uniontown, PA. We’re still open for business, so call ahead and let us know how we can help you!

Find Your Owner’s Manual

First things first, you should never approach maintenance or ownership care without consulting your owner’s manual first. This can be especially important for big equipment. Your owner’s manual comes with a lot of great tips and important guidance regarding your particular model. If you don’t have your owner’s manual, head to the manufacturer’s website. You should be able to find an online copy or have one sent to you.

Also, make sure any piece of machinery you’re working with is turned completely off before going poking around.

Cleaning

When it’s time to start thinking about pulling out your baler and getting it ready to collect hay, you’ll want to plan to do all this about a month before you’re actually going to use it. This can give you plenty of time to go through all the steps and book an appointment with a professional if you have a maintenance problem.

Of course, one of the first things you’ll need to do, and arguably the most essential, is simply clean the baler. This can help with removing any dust or dirt that may have collected over time and also serve as a way for you to easily check for signs of damage or disrepair. You’ll also want to maintain this cleanliness throughout the baling season so you don’t contaminate the product.

Chain Lubrication

If you’ve already been around the block a few times, then you know that many baler manufacturers recommend lubricating your chain daily during the season. So it stands to reason that before you can use your baler the first time, you’ll need to properly lubricate it. This might take a little bit of time to apply enough lubrication to the right points, but it’s well worth the effort. This can be especially true if the chain is a little stiff after sitting for extended lengths of time.

Checking the Belts, Bearings, and More

Another simple way to get your baler ready for use is to perform a thorough inspection, from top to bottom, inside and out. You’ll probably want to do this a few times in the weeks leading up to cutting season, so you can ensure that you don’t accidentally miss anything.

This can include:

  • Inspecting the belt for frays or tears, as well as tightening or loosening the belt so you have the right amount of tension. 
  • Making sure all the bearings are properly tightened. 
  • Replacing broken or bent teeth and sharpening dull ones.
  • Inspecting hoses for leaks.
  • Checking tire psi levels and looking for signs of wear and tear or damage. 
  • Confirming you have the right twine setup (and testing later on). 

Finally, it’s a good idea to stock up on spare parts. This way, you can fix small problems quickly, as opposed to pausing work to run out to your supply store to pick up what you need. Consider everything you’re comfortable handling yourself, and make sure you have the equipment you need to handle it.

For everything that’s a little beyond your expertise, contact Middletown Tractor Sales. Our service department is still up and running, so let us know how we can help keep your operation running this season! We proudly serve all those from Morgantown, West Virginia, as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.