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Post by mack on Sept 17, 2019 18:11:52 GMT -6
So I got a NH 273 small square baler last winter and I worked the bugs out of it and got it baling nice, then I broke a chain and threw it out of time and broke both needles. I didn't think I'd use it anymore this summer but right now I've got some really good 3rd cutting down I want to small bale in next couple of days. Anyone have any luck welding them? I'm pretty sure they're cast, and one of them had been welded before, I'll be using my millermatic 252, I just don't have any experience with welding cast.
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Post by mack on Sept 17, 2019 18:16:42 GMT -6
I forgot to mention that the pieces fit together perfectly so I'm not worried about getting them true, If they break again it's not the end of the world I'll just big bale it but with what small bales are going for I really want to fill my wagons.
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Post by 1982vett on Sept 17, 2019 18:31:52 GMT -6
Guess if I couldn’t find replacements I’d try to get them welded. I’d have a backup plan ready to go too. You may have a little wiggle room not getting them true....but probably less than you may think.
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Post by randy on Sept 17, 2019 18:44:02 GMT -6
Braze them
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Post by mack on Sept 17, 2019 19:34:54 GMT -6
My brazing skills are not good or else I would try that, I've gotten really good at adjusting knotters at work so as long as I can get them close and they don't break I'm pretty confident I can make some good bales with the old girl. I'm hoping to get them off tonight and I'll try to sneak over to my welder friend tomorrow I know he'll do a lot better than I can.
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Post by nedjr on Sept 17, 2019 21:11:53 GMT -6
I agree. We’ve brazed them before and went well.
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Post by mack on Sept 17, 2019 21:29:54 GMT -6
I agree. We’ve brazed them before and went well. I will definitely consider brazing.
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Post by highgrit on Sept 18, 2019 11:20:58 GMT -6
I'd tig weld them using everdure welding rods.
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Post by mack on Sept 18, 2019 18:29:47 GMT -6
I'd tig weld them using everdure welding rods. I dropped them off at my buddies shop today but he was out on a job. His boy said Dad can weld them but they won't be as strong as new which I understand so we'll see what he does. This guy is a real pro he welds everything from old farm equipment to super high dollar oilfield drill bits. I talked to him briefly this afternoon and he said he'd take care of me. It sure is nice to have good friends.
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Post by birddog on Sept 18, 2019 19:55:32 GMT -6
They will never be as strong but you can weld them. One trick is to put the parts into a metal container of sand. Cover the parts up with the sand and heat it up over a fire or something like a turkey cooker. You need to get the parts very hot. Cast does not disperse heat very well and thats why welds are brittle and break. A part that is the same hot temperature throughout will let the weld penetrate enough to hold it together.
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Post by mack on Sept 21, 2019 0:25:15 GMT -6
I'd tig weld them using everdure welding rods. I dropped them off at my buddies shop today but he was out on a job. His boy said Dad can weld them but they won't be as strong as new which I understand so we'll see what he does. This guy is a real pro he welds everything from old farm equipment to super high dollar oilfield drill bits. I talked to him briefly this afternoon and he said he'd take care of me. It sure is nice to have good friends. I got the needles back from my buddies shop and I'm going to put them on in the morning. He called me yesterday and told me they were done so I picked them up last night when I got home around 11.
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Post by randy on Sept 21, 2019 4:39:14 GMT -6
It won't take long to figure out if they will work.
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Post by mack on Sept 21, 2019 21:36:07 GMT -6
It won't take long to figure out if they will work. I got em on today and baled a couple hundred bales with only a few missed knots. I was expecting the worst so I was really happy. I didn't get a chance to ask my buddy what rod he used but it definitely looked like he used a stick welder. I definitely owe him a case of beer or 2.
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Post by fence on Sept 22, 2019 6:28:33 GMT -6
I had a set brazed last year.after it jumped Time. Took them in to a pro.
Same baler wire tie. Couldn't find needless any where. Lasted about 15 bales before one broke about a inch from the weld. And it wasn't a timing issue I pushed that baler off in a ditch and got one I could find parts for
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Post by mack on Sept 24, 2019 22:22:41 GMT -6
I had a set brazed last year.after it jumped Time. Took them in to a pro. Same baler wire tie. Couldn't find needless any where. Lasted about 15 bales before one broke about a inch from the weld. And it wasn't a timing issue I pushed that baler off in a ditch and got one I could find parts for I've never used a wire tie baler but i can imagine the needles would have more stress on them than a twine baler. I figure with twine as long as the baler is in time there shouldn't be much pressure at all on the needles. I found twine needles for $80 bucks a piece online and I think I'll buy one to have on hand because I know I'll be waiting for one of the welded ones to break every time I bale now.
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