[Smokin S Ranch]

Hello all,

I am in the market for a small square baler, as my wife told me she wants them. I currently only have 165 acres that I'm round baling and will square a portion of that. A little back story, I had an old 24t that was in decent shape but would miss tying about every 10th bale and the sheer bolt would break very often. I dont know much about the small square balers but I am fairly mechanically inclined. I'm only putting up 500-600 squares a year so I'm not looking to spend a bunch on one but in my area I have found a NH570 and a JD338 both appear to be in decent condition. Im just wondering (without the brand wars) what should be the better baler as far as reliability and consistency of bale shape. Also they both have throwers on them so belt vs pan kicker? I know someone will probably comment on the use of a kicker for a couple hundred bales but I do everything by myself so dropping them in the field and bungee cording the steering wheel while I throw them on the wagon wont happen anymore.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Also anything to look at in particular on these two units?

 

[Tx Jim]

Although JD 338 baler doesn't have as much per hour baling capacity as a NH 570 I think due to JD having only 2 roller chains to wear & affect timing that JD baler will require less regular maintenance than a NH baler. I think JD 338 would be fine for 500-600 bales per year.

 

[8350HiTech]

Either baler is more than you need, and I wouldn’t let the style of kicker affect my decision on a baler, so I would take whichever is the better deal. They’ll both do the job.

The Deere is going to have a better rep for bale shape, but again at 500 per year, you’re unlikely to be pushing throughput on the NH enough to get poor bales.

 

[RockmartGA]

Either will do fine, it really depends on condition of the machines and price.

 

[Hayman1]

Tractors are green and yellow, balers are red and yellow. You can get yellow paint and not go wrong. Sorry, my bad, no brand wars... I don't know about the 338 but the 570 is a humpin machine.

 

[Gearclash]

Either one will do the job well if it is in shape; all else equal I would lean somewhat toward the 338.

 

[Tx Jim]

I don't know about the 338 but the 570 is a humpin machine.

That "humpin" would come in very useful to get 500-600 bales made every year!! 😁

 

[Hayman1]

That "humpin" would come in very useful to get 500-600 bales made every year!! 😁

Seems like everyone is always trying to go faster. Me, totally satisfied to make my 300 bales an hour going 3 mph. I mean that you could just find a JD14T that would make 500-600 per year or a 273 NH or a Super 77 motor baler, wire tie of course, if you are a total gluten for punishment.

 

[Beav]

We put about 20000 a year thru our NH 570 years ago if that helps both are way more then needed for 500 a year. A NH310 or NH311 would work too if you can find one

 

[weatherman]

Unless I missed it...dealer support.