Baling Cornstalks

causym CAUTION: DON'T TAKE CHANCES! To avoid injury or death by being pulled into the machine:

Do not attempt to feed crop or twine into baler or unplug feed area while baler is running. The baler feeds material faster than you can release it.

Disengage PTO and shut off engine.

1. Cut or rake stalks prior to baling to improve pickup tooth life.

2. Do not rake more than six rows together or plugging may occur at the pickup area. Higher productivity can be obtained by baling smaller windrows at faster ground speeds. Avoid crowding the edges of the windrow and avoid windrows wider than the baler chamber to reduce plugging at the crop dividers.

  • Since cornstalks tend to roll and spread out in front of the pickup, windrows 1/2-3/4 the width of the bale chamber usually do not require weaving, and reduce plugging at crop dividers.
  • Windrows less than 1/2 the width of the bale chamber, and normal weaving allows one side of the pickup to clear as the other side is feeding.

3. Be sure to maintain rated PTO speed

4. Increase feed opening by:

  • Lowering pickup as low as practical.
  • Raising front of baler by offsetting tractor drawbar. (See ADJUSTING TRACTOR DRAWBAR in Preparing the Tractor section.)
  • Adjust compressor rack assembly as high as possible without compressor rods interfering with twine arm. (See ADJUSTING COMPRESSOR RACK ASSEMBLY in this section.)

5. Check for missing or broken teeth. Replace if necessary.

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6. Check pickup belt tension and condition. (See ADJUSTING PICKUP DRIVE BELT IDLER in Service-Baler section.)

7. Remove compressor rack if cornstalks build up on top of rods. (See REMOVING COMPRESSOR RACK ASSEMBLY in this section.)

8. Add extra compressor rods if cornstalks push up between existing rods and cause plugging.

9. Remove outside rods. If material still accumulates, remove compressor rack assembly. Always replace compressor rack under normal conditions. (See REMOVING or INSTALLING COMPRESSOR RACK ASSEMBLY in this section.)

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