BaleTrak™ Pro Monitor-Controller Difficulties

SymptomProblemSolution

Monitor-Controller LCD display and switches do not work.

Monitor-controller connection to tractor is unplugged.

Plug in connection.

 

Monitor-controller was hooked up with reverse polarity.

Check polarity of 12 V power supply.

Twine arm actuator does not function. Stop indicator displays. Alarm does not sound.

Twine arm actuator failed.

Replace actuator. (See your John Deere dealer.)

Inspect wire harness and repair or replace.

 

Twine arm wedged against back side of knife.

Use monitor-controller RETRACT key and retract twine arm. Clean and lubricate knife pivot.

Twine arm actuator does not function. Stop indicator displays and alarm sounds.

Twine arm actuator failed.

Replace actuator. (See your John Deere dealer.)

Inspect wire harness and repair or replace.

 

Twine arm wedged against back side of knife.

Use monitor-controller RETRACT key and retract twine arm. Clean and lubricate knife pivot.

Twine actuator does not complete its travel. STOP indicator displays and alarm sounds.

Twine arm caught on compressor rod.

Align compressor rod down. (See ADJUST COMPRESSOR RACK in Operating the Baler section.)

 

Twine arm travel restricted by foreign object or hay buildup.

Inspect and remove blockage.

STOP indicator is displayed on monitor-controller when activated.

Twine or net actuator disconnected.

Check actuator connectors.

 

Wiring is loose or cut.

Check wire harness connector for breaks.

Automatic twine cycle does not function. STOP indicator displays and alarm sounds.

Defective gate closed switch.

Replace switch.

 

Incorrect gate closed switch adjustment.

Adjust gate close switch.

 

Gate not closed and does not activate one gate switch.

Remove hay buildup from gate area.

Operate baler at tractor rated PTO speed when closing the gate.

 

Released selective control valve too soon after closing gate.

Continue to hold selective control valve 2 seconds after gate closes.

 

Gate twisted and does not close.

See your John Deere dealer.

 

Manual BYPASS wire harness connected.

Return twine actuator connector to NORMAL OPERATION connector. (See BYPASS SWITCH [TWINE WRAP ONLY] in Operating the Baler section.)

Twine arm actuator stops at full extension and will not retract.

Monitor-controller set for incorrect baler model.

Change monitor-controller setting. (See BALER MODEL PROGRAM in Operating the Baler section.)

Inspect wire harness. Repair or replace.

Twine spacing to edge of bale is greater than monitor-controller setting.

Incorrect mechanical twine guide setting.

Adjust mechanical twine guide. (See SET TWINE SPACING in Operating the Baler section.)

Number of end wraps is different from monitor-controller setting.

Missing or bent twine guide rod.

Replace or straighten rod.

 

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or at a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

Erratic twine spacing. (See Automatic Twine Spacing - Twine Spacing Not Consistent in this section.)

Twine catching on foreign object or compressor rods.

Inspect and remove blockage or adjust compressor rods. (See ADJUST COMPRESSOR RACK [REGULAR OR MegaTooth™ PICKUP] in Operating the Baler section.)

 

Incorrect monitor-controller settings.

Reset to factory initial settings. (See procedures in Operating the Baler section.)

 

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or at a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

 

Distance between twine arms incorrect for monitor-controller setting.

Set twine arm spacing for monitor-controller setting. (See SET TWINE SPACING in Operating the Baler section.)

Inspect wire harness. Repair or replace.

Net wrap indicator and alarm activates.

Knife did not cut the net wrap material.

Adjust brake. (See ADJUST NET WRAP STRETCH in Service—Net Wrap section.)

Sharpen net wrap cut-off knife. (See procedure in Service—Net Wrap section.)

 

Incorrect net wrap switch adjustment.

Adjust switch. (See procedure in Service—Net Wrap section.)

 

Net wrap switch actuator lever not free to rotate.

Check actuator lever for obstruction or corrosion in hinged area.

Twine or net wrapping settings not consistent with different bale sizes.

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

 

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust sensor. (See ADJUST BALE DIAMETER SENSOR in Service—Baler section.)

Bale shape is inconsistent with monitor-controller reading.

Operator not following recommended procedure.

See INTERPRET BALE SHAPE INDICATORS in Operating the Baler section.

 

Incorrect bale shape bar and sensor adjustments.

Adjust bale shape bar display and bale shape sensors. (See procedures in Service—Baler section.)

 

Bale shape sensors failed.

Replace sensors. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Broken bale shape sensor arm spring.

Replace spring.

Bale size inconsistent with monitor-controller setting.

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust bale diameter sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Bale diameter sensor failed.

Replace sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

Near-full size indicator does not display on monitor-controller.

Bale diameter sensor failed.

Replace sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

Bales are not dense.

Variable core feature is activated.

Turn off variable core.

 

Variable core set for too large of diameter.

Reduce variable core diameter setting or turn off feature.

 

Variable core solenoid failed.

Replace solenoid. (See your John Deere dealer.)

 

Bale diameter sensor failed.

Replace sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust bale diameter sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

Gate open indicator is on when gate is closed.

Incorrect gate latch switch adjustment.

Adjust switches. (See ADJUST GATE LATCH SWITCHES in Service—Baler section.)

 

Defective gate latch switches.

Replace switches. (See your John Deere dealer.)

GATE CLOSED indicator is not displayed after attempting to close gate; STOP indicator can flash and buzzer can sound.

Gate did not close because gate lock engaged.

Unlock gate.

 

Gate not fully closed due to an obstruction or twisted condition.

Remove obstruction or straighten gate.

 

Belts pinched between lower gate roll and axle tube.

Raise gate fully and close gate at full tractor rpm. If tractor has low hydraulic flow, install orifice. (See INSTALL ORIFICE IN TRACTORS WITH LOW HYDRAULIC FLOW in Service—Baler section.)

Operate PTO while closing.

GATE CLOSED indicator goes out, STOP indicator and buzzer come on while baling.

Gate latch not adjusted properly.

Adjust gate latch stop. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Gate latch switches not adjusted properly.

Adjust gate latch switches. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Tractor selector control valve (SCV) leaking oil to gate hydraulic cylinder.

Repair tractor selector control valve (SCV). (See your John Deere dealer.)

 

Gate latch hooks yielded.

Replace hooks and adjust gate latch. (See ADJUST GATE LATCH STOP in Service—Baler section.)

 

Air in hydraulic system.

Open and close gate several times to remove air.

 

Internal leak in gate hydraulic cylinder.

Repair or replace cylinder. (See your John Deere dealer.)

 

Hydraulic cylinder not retracted when gate is closed.

Hold tractor SCV lever 2—3 seconds after GATE CLOSED indicator is displayed.

STOP indicator and buzzer come on when gate is closed.

Gate is not latched on one side.

Hold tractor SCV lever 2—3 seconds after GATE CLOSED indicator is displayed to make sure that both sides are latched.

Repair or adjust latch stop. (See ADJUST GATE LATCH STOP in Service—Baler section.)

 

Gate latch switches not adjusted properly.

Adjust gate latch switches. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Defective gate latch switches.

Check gate latch switches. (See TEST GATE LATCH AND OVERSIZE BALE SWITCHES in Service—Baler section.) Replace if necessary. (See your John Deere dealer.)

 

Poor connections or broken wires to gate latch switches.

Test wires for continuity. Repair as necessary.

 

Oversize bale switch out of adjustment.

Adjust oversize bale switch. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Shorted wires to oversize bale switch.

Test wire shorts. Repair as necessary.

GATE CLOSED indicator is displayed, but gate is open or not latched.

Gate latch switches not adjusted properly.

Adjust gate latch switches. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Defective gate latch switches.

Check gate latch switches. (See TEST GATE LATCH AND OVERSIZE BALE SWITCHES in Service—Baler section.) Replace if necessary. (See your John Deere dealer.)

 

Crop buildup in latch area restricting hook engagement.

Remove buildup.

 

Shorted wires to gate latch switches.

Test wires for shorts. Repair as necessary.

One or both bar graphs on LCD display do not correspond to shape of bale being formed.

Operator not interpreting signal properly.

Review INTERPRET BALE SHAPE INDICATORS in Operating the Baler section.

 

Bale shape sensors not adjusted properly.

Adjust bale shape sensors. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Defective bale shape sensors.

Replace bale shape sensors. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Broken wires between monitor-controller and bale shape sensors or poor connection at harness connectors.

Check continuity. Repair wires or connections as necessary.

 

Faulty display.

Test display. (See TEST LIGHTED CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD) in Service—Baler section.)

Low voltage light comes on.

Low voltage to monitor-controller under load.

Check voltage. (See CHECK TRACTOR VOLTAGE in Service—Baler section.)

Bale counter does not count bales.

For the monitor-controller to count a bale, an automatic wrap cycle must be followed by a gate opening cycle.

Check that both gate latch switches are functioning properly. (See TEST GATE LATCH SWITCHES in Service—Baler section.)

Monitor-controller functions do not display.

Monitor-controller was hooked up with reverse polarity.

Check polarity of 12 V power supply.

 

Intermittent voltage loss due to loose connectors.

Disconnect and inspect connectors for bent or pushed back terminals.

 

Intermittent connection in wire harness due to broken or frayed wire.

Inspect wire harness and repair or replace.

STOP indicator is displayed on monitor-controller (E201) when activated.

Twine or net actuator disconnected.

Check actuator connectors.

 

Wiring is loose or cut.

Check wire harness connector for breaks.

Twine Wrap System:
EXTEND or RETRACT and WRAP switches will not move twine actuator. STOP flashes.

Wiring has a break in it.

Check wire harness for breaks and check connectors for pushed back pins.

Twine arm actuator does not come all the way home. Twine does not cut off.

Low voltage to the monitor-controller under load.

See your John Deere dealer.

Twine arm actuator does not function. Stop indicator displays.

Twine arm actuator failed.

Replace actuator. (See your John Deere dealer.)

Inspect wire harness and repair or replace.

 

Twine arm wedged against front side of knife.

Use monitor-controller RETRACT key to retract twine arm. Clean and lubricate knife pivot.

Twine actuator does not complete its travel. STOP indicator displays and alarm sounds.

Twine arm travel restricted by foreign object, compressor rod, or hay buildup.

Inspect and remove blockage.

Automatic twine cycle does not function. STOP indicator displays and alarm sounds.

Defective gate latch switches.

Replace switches. See your John Deere dealer.

 

Incorrect gate latch switch adjustment.

Adjust gate latch switches. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Gate not closed and does not activate one gate switch.

Remove hay buildup from gate area.

Operate baler at tractor rated PTO speed when closing the gate.

 

Released selective control valve too soon after closing gate.

Continue to hold selective control valve 2 seconds after gate closes.

 

Gate twisted and does not close.

See your John Deere dealer.

 

Manual BYPASS wire harness connected.

Return twine actuator connector to NORMAL OPERATION connector. (See BYPASS SWITCH [TWINE WRAP ONLY] in Operating the Baler section.)

Twine arm actuator stops at full extension and will not retract.

Monitor-controller set for incorrect baler model.

Change monitor-controller setting. (See BALER MODEL PROGRAM in Operating the Baler section.)

Inspect wire harness. Repair or replace.

Twine spacing to edge of bale is greater than monitor-controller setting.

Incorrect mechanical twine guide setting.

Adjust mechanical twine guide. (See SET TWINE SPACING and SETTING TWINE END WRAP DISTANCE in Operating the Baler section.)

Number of end wraps is different from monitor-controller setting.

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust bale diameter sensor. (See procedure in Service—Baler section.)

 

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or at a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

Erratic twine spacing.

Incorrect monitor-controller settings.

Reset to factory initial settings and check baler model number. (See RESET BaleTrak™ Pro TO INITIAL FACTORY SETTINGS and BALER MODEL PROGRAM in Operating the Baler section.)

 

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or at a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

 

Distance between twine arms incorrect for monitor-controller setting.

Set twine arm spacing for monitor-controller setting. (See SET TWINE SPACING in Operating the Baler section.)

Inspect wire harness. Repair or replace.

Twine wrapping settings not consistent with different bale sizes.

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

Operate at rated PTO speed or a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

 

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust sensor. (See ADJUST BALE DIAMETER SENSOR in Service—Baler section.)

Net Wrap System:
Net actuator will not function during auto cycle. STOP flashes (E211).

Wiring has a break in it.

Check wire harness for breaks and check connectors for pushed back pins.

Net actuator does not move when EXTEND or RETRACT switches are pressed in net mode.

The EXTEND or RETRACT switches are not intended to control net actuator in net mode.

See TEST TWINE WRAP ACTUATOR CURRENT (CHANNEL 018) in Service—Baler section.

Net actuator does not come all the way home. Net does not cut off.

Low voltage to the monitor-controller under load.

See TEST TRACTOR CONVENIENCE OUTLET VOLTAGE (Channel 019) in Service Baler section

Net wrap indicator and alarm activates.

Knife did not cut the net wrap material (E401).

Adjust knife and brake. (See CHECK NET WRAP KNIFE ARM BRAKE in Service—Net Wrap section.)

Sharpen knife. (See SHARPEN NET WRAP CUTOFF KNIFE in Service—Net Wrap section.)

Adjust knife to rubber flap. (See ADJUST NET WRAP KNIFE ARM STOP in Service—Net Wrap section.)

 

Incorrect net wrap switch adjustment (E401).

Adjust net wrap switch. (See procedure in Service—Net Wrap section.)

 

Net wrap switch actuator lever not free to rotate.

Check actuator lever for obstruction or corrosion in hinged area.

Net wrapping settings not consistent with different bale sizes.

Not operating at tractor rated PTO speed (without slip clutch alert turned on).

No slip clutch alarm.

Operate at rated PTO speed or a consistent speed. A constant speed less than rated PTO speed will require a different monitor-controller setting.

Turn slip clutch alert PTO speed sensor on to control spacing independent of PTO speed. (See Operating the Baler section.)

 

Incorrect bale diameter sensor adjustment.

Adjust sensor. (See ADJUST BALE DIAMETER SENSOR in Service—Baler section.)

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