How To: Welger baler maintenance

Check E-Link controller

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:59:36 GMT

Check E-Link controller

The removable E-Link controller should be in tip-top condition if stored as recommended in a warm, dry environment over winter. A voltage check on the tractor power socket or the factory supplied baler power cable is recommended before the new season. And remember, the dealer's service engineer will need this unit if he's to do any pre-season maintenance.

Inspect bale belts

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:58:34 GMT

Inspect bale belts

Inspect bale-forming belts for tears and punctures - it's better to clean an edge tear by cutting away to a rounded shape or removing flaps in punctured belts to minimise snagging than to weaken the belt by inserting a section using joiners, says Jim Hunter. Cut off any trailing fabric threads to prevent them being pulled further.

Check oil levels

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:57:31 GMT

Check oil levels

Oil level in the main drive gearbox can be checked using the combined dip stick/breather but oil should be changed for each new season anyway, even on a low-use machine, because of condensate contamination. Be sure to use the correct grade and quantity.

Adjusting net mechanism

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:56:18 GMT

Adjusting net mechanism

Ensure the spring-loaded net knife is tripped before working in this area. With the brake lever upright, adjust the mechanism so the net roll brake pads rock slightly and the disc can be rotated with a little resistance to keep the net correctly tensioned also that the net feed-in roller spring coils are no more than 1-2mm apart. Replace the grey foam roller if damaged to prevent net snagging but don't straighten the curved bar inside - it's like that to spread the net. Keep knives and other sharp implements away from the rubber feed-in roller - the slightest cut can cause snagging - instead of scraping, wash debris away with warm, soapy water and a sponge.

Calibrating sensors

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:53:49 GMT

Calibrating sensors

Welger balers have two hook latches to keep the tailgate closed with slots allowing some movement before maximum density is achieved. Every couple of seasons, it's worth calibrating the proximity sensors that detect movement - which is converted into a bale density reading on the E-Link controller - to avoid overloading or sub-optimum densities. Dealers have tailgate jacking kits to do the job.

Check roller rotation

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:52:39 GMT

Check roller rotation

Slacken drive chains to check roller rotation. Applying gentle leverage near the end of each roller may reveal a fraction of movement, which compensates for the structures flexing slightly. Anything more should be investigated further but changing the bearings is best left to a dealer's expertise, especially as the drive sprocket nut torque is critical. The feed rotor and stub augers should get the same checks.

Clear bearings

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:51:32 GMT

Clear bearings

Single paddles and exit holes at both ends of each roller help keep material away from the bearings before a new season, ensure they are clear.

Greasing nipples

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:49:56 GMT

Greasing nipples

Nipples should get no more than a single shot of grease to avoid popping bearing seals those on the knife retraction linkage are part of the annual greasing routine. But if the baler gets power washed, grease first, wash, run the machine briefly, then grease again to expel any moisture. Top up auto lube reservoir with the correct anti-fling oil anything else will result in poor lubrication, accelerated chain and sprocket wear and a very messy baler. Adjust brushes into firm contact with the chains.

Replacing knives

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:48:54 GMT

Replacing knives

Knives should be replaced with blanking inserts when not in use for any length of time, says Jim Hunter, and it's better to remove the knives when baling hay or straw so that the exposed tips of the retracted knives are not subjected to wear. Sharpen dull knives, typically every 500-1000 bales depending on material baled a disappearing scissor emblem on the E-Link controller is another sign of dull knives. Dealers may have a special grinding machine for sharpening the knives at the correct angle, otherwise work on the flat side using an emery disc rather than a stone to avoid over-heating and loss of wear-resistant tempering. Knives sharpened to the point where there's little or no serration left should be replaced.

Drive chain tensioning

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:47:36 GMT

Drive chain tensioning

Main drive chain tensioning arm should be free to pivot and the spring adjusted so that the bottom of the upper nut is level with the top of the indicator plate alongside. Note that on older balers than this RP235 or the RP220 the washer below the nuts should align with the indicator plate.

Cleaning belts

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:46:34 GMT

Cleaning belts

On Welger balers there are no scrapers on the belt rollers to clean or adjust but the belts can be thrown out of alignment if there is an irregular build-up of material, which is best removed during and at the end of the season when it's still soft.

Slackening belts

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:45:28 GMT

Slackening belts

Slackening bale-forming belts gives access to the drive and idler rollers so that they can be given a good clean.

Check drive chains

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:41:43 GMT

Check drive chains

With the guard removed, check pick-up drive chains for correct tension, good lubrication and excessive wear. Make sure the cam track bearings freely rotate but without wobbling on the tine bar lever.

Check for broken tines

Louise Murrell — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:15:11 GMT

Check for broken tines

To ensure a smooth flow of material, check the pick-up for bent or broken tines and bands and, if necessary, adjust the drawbar position for a new tractor so that the machine is sitting level, as indicated by a vertical jack. That way, the pick-up will drop low enough for a smooth flow of crop into the rotor area and lift high enough for turning and transport clearance.