Bale Cornstalks

TS679-UN-28SEP89

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

Disengage PTO and shut off the engine.

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

2. 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 the 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.
   • Let shredded cornstalk windrows sit overnight if possible. Windrows settle overnight gaining moisture which improves feeding and reduce wear on pickup components.
   
   

3. Maintain rated PTO speed for most cornstalk baling conditions, to facilitate a regular flow to the bale chamber. In finely chopped cornstalks, reduced PTO rpm’s have improved capacity.

4. If equipped, remove the starter roll scraper.

5. MegaWide™ Plus pickup: Unhook both pickup baffle torsion springs allowing compressor rack to hold the crop down on the pickup and facilitate regular crop flow.

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

7. Regular Pickup: Check pickup belt tension and condition. (See Adjust Pickup Drive Belt Idler—Regular Pickup (450M and 550M) in Service—Baler section.)

   MegaWide™ Plus pickup: Check pickup slip clutch. (See Check Pickup Slip Clutch Torque in Service—Baler section.)

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

9. Install the following kits to increase productivity even further:

   • Cornstalk Feeding Enhancement Kit (550M only).
   • Pickup Filler Plates for Cornstalks (MegaWide™ Pickup Only).
   • Hydraulic Pickup Lift Kit (See Attachments section).
   
   

10. Recommended Wraps

    Bales stored with fewer than two wraps of net can be damaged by handling or weather conditions.

    Different crops require a different number of wraps for effective baling.

    Minimum recommendations are:

    • 2 Wraps for Hay
    • 3 Wraps for Straw, Wheat Hay, and Cereal Grains
    • 4 Wraps for Corn Stalks, Sudex, Hay Grazer, and Milo Stalks
    
    

    If the baler is equipped with slip clutch alert and it is turned on, the net and twine application is automatically adjusted as the rpm is changed. Thus, no change is needed on the monitor.

    If machine rpm is less than rated PTO speed, use the following charts as a guideline for desired wraps.

    NET WRAP CHART
    Engine rpm	Desired No. Of Wraps	Approximate Monitor Setting Needed
    Rated PTO	2	2
    	3	3
    1800 rpm	2	2.4
    	3	3.6
    1500 rpm	2	2.9
    	3	4.3
    1300 rpm	2	3.3
    	3	5.0

    TWINE WRAP CHART
    Engine rpm	Mechanical Setting	Monitor-Controller Setting
    Rated Speed	10 cm (4.0 in)	10 cm (4.0 in)
    1800 rpm	10 cm (4.0 in)	9 cm (3.5 in)
    1500 rpm	10 cm (4.0 in)	8 cm (3.0 in)
    1300 rpm	10 cm (4.0 in)	6 cm (2.5 in)