Recommended Baling Guidelines

Under normal to moderately heavy crop conditions, operate the tractor at 1800 rpm. Under some light crop conditions, it can help to operate even slower (for example, 1500 rpm). Under some heavy crop conditions, it can be necessary to operate at a higher rpm (above 1800).

For consistent density and properly shaped bales the following conditions must be set:

• Bale shape sensors properly adjusted. (See Adjust Bale Shape Sensor—In Shop Procedure [Channels 007 and 009] in Service—BaleTrak™ Pro and Plus System section.)
• Correct tractor tire spacing. (See Adjust Tractor Wheels in Preparing the Tractor section.)
• Proper driving technique.

Baling windrow one-half width or less than bale chamber:

1. Start feeding windrow in the center of baler.

2. Move quickly to one side for several yards, feeding the baler as close as possible to the side sheet, without leaving hay in the field.

3. Weaving back and forth across the windrow must be done quickly in a crisp zigzag fashion to balance crop intake side-to-side. Weaving too often or too slowly puts too much crop in the center of the bale and must be avoided.

   Move quickly to the other side for several yards, feeding the baler as close as possible to the side sheet, without leaving hay in the field.

4. Move quickly back to the other side, feeding the baler as close as possible to the side sheet. Continue feeding this side until the top bar on the monitor display lights or the other bale shape bars drop into the red.

5. Then quickly drive to the other side and continue feeding this side until the top bar on the monitor display lights or the other bale shape bars drop into the red.

6. Continue to feed in this manner, weaving from one side to the other and taking one set of bars to the top and then the other, until the near full indicator is flashing. Then finish up the bale by getting the bars on both sides as high and as even as possible before reaching full size. Both sides must be in the green zone when finished. If possible, finish the bale by feeding the left side.

As bale diameter increases, bars are less sensitive to rise and fall as hay is fed into the baler. Do not weave from one side unless the top bar is lit or the bars are at least in the green zone. Avoid baling with either of the bale shape displays in the red zone.

The tensioning valve, which controls bale density, is set at less than maximum pressure when shipped from the factory. This is to provide for a break-in period of approximately 50 bales. To change bale density (see Adjust Bale Density in this section).

If operating at less than maximum pressure, with the variable core feature engaged, or in some crop conditions, the top bar or bars on the monitor do not come on. If the top bar has not come on after driving on one side for several inches of bale growth while feeding the crop as close as possible to the side sheet, then the highest bar that is on becomes the top bar.

If it is desired long term to operate at less than maximum pressure, then the bale shape sensors can be adjusted to cause the top bar of the display to come on by using Adjust Bale Shape Sensor—In Shop Procedure [Channel 007 and 009] in Service BaleTrak™ Pro and Plus System section.

Crop Preparation

Make windrows either:

• Up to one-half the width of the baler chamber.
• The full width of the baler chamber to eliminate weaving.

Unless bales are being made for silage or a preservative is being applied to hay, wait until moisture content of hay is 20% or drier before baling.

For additional information and a more in-depth description on hay and forage harvesting, see the John Deere dealer or qualified service provider.

Handling Round Bales

See loader and tractor operator's manuals on proper procedures for lifting and handling round bales.

Handling Round Bales with Net Wrap

Do not snag or tear the wrap material. Snags or tears in the net wrap material can reduce durability of bales and detract from hay quality when bales are stored outside.

Handling Round Bales with B-Wrap

Do not snag or tear the wrap material. Snags or tears in the net wrap material can reduce durability of bales and detract from hay quality when bales are stored outside.

Orientate breathable material seam so that water is shed after moving (between noon and six o’clock). Ensure that the seam overlap faces down so water cannot get in.

Feeding Round Bales

Improperly disposing of waste can threaten the environment and ecology. Remove wrapping material from bales before they are fed to reduce possible problems of material wrapping in machinery or ingestion by livestock. Inquire on the proper way to recycle or dispose of waste from your local environmental or recycling center, or from your John Deere dealer.