A Guide to Choosing the Best Round Baler for Your Needs

November

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Versatile line makes it easy to choose the best round baler for your needs

604 R-series balers offer a range of performance, sophistication and speed that supports all types of hay producers.

Most forage producers share the same goal: produce consistent, high-quality bales. But there's no perfect one-size-fits-all baler that matches every producer's needs; some want simplicity and ease-of-use while others demand smart features, high speed and maximum output. So what's the best round baler for you?

The Vermeer 604 R-series balers offer a range of standard and optional features. Three 6-ft x 4-ft (1.8-m x 1.2-m) models ' Classic, Signature and Premium ' were built with thoughtful combinations of benefits and features that provide the right levels of sophistication, performance, speed and versatility to meet the needs of just about every hay producer.

The 604 R-series balers are built from a common foundation with the rugged durability hay producers have come to expect from Vermeer equipment. All three models are equipped with a camless pickup and rotor, a hydraulic density system and netwrap system. Read on to discover which one of them is the best hay baler for you.

Economical baler with minimal setup: 604R Classic

This user-friendly model was designed for the forage producer who wants minimal setup and has low horsepower needs. Outfitted with the AtlasTM control system that lets you track field statistics like bales per hour and bales per field. The 604R Classic is suited for small- to mid-sized producers, with both twine and netwrap options, who make less than 1,500 dry bales a year. 'It's an economical baler that offers simplicity for the producer who does not require all the latest technology in the field,' said Product Manager Bart Elder.

   

Versatile baler when convenience is key: 604R Signature

The extremely versatile 604R Signature baler is built for a wide range of hay and forage operations. If you're a full-time producer who bales dry and wet hay, you'll find the optional silage kit makes it convenient to switch between the two.

'If you want more control and the ability to make adjustments in the field, the 604R Signature is right for you,' said Elder. Because it's equipped with the Atlas ProTM control system, you can monitor moisture, adjust bale shape and density, and fine-tune net tension ' all from the comfort of the cab.

The best baler for a high-producing haymaker: 604R Premium

If you'd describe the best baler for you as one that's high output, silage ready and loaded with the latest technology, get ready to put up some serious crop with the 604R Premium baler. Like the 604R Signature, it's equipped with the Atlas ProTM control system. Beyond the other balers in this series, it has a 19% increase in baling speed and capacity compared to the 604R Signature, and it can produce bales 30% denser compared to the 604R Signature and Classic balers.

'If you're a high-producing haymaker with high expectations for speed in the field and quality in your bales, the 604R Premium has the features right for your operation,' Elder said. Its industry-first net lift system allows you to carry a roll from either the truck or ground up into the netwrap system using an electric thumb control. You'll save time with the standard auto-eject feature that helps eliminate two steps in the baling process, while heavy-duty components provide the toughness you need to bale both dry and high-moisture hay.

To determine which is the best baler for you, think about what you need from your baler in the field. Then consider your budget. Talk to your local Vermeer dealer. They'll help you find the right 604 R-series for your operation.

Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation.
Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region.
Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
Vermeer, the Vermeer logo, Atlas and Atlas Pro are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.
© Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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Best round baler for the money

sodbuster35

Posted 1/23/ 07:29 (#)
Subject: Best round baler for the money

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

This should probably be posted in machinery, but I wanted to get the opinon from guys that not only use them, but also then feed the bales too.

I may be in the market for a round baler next season after I see how a new hay venture is going to turn out for me this year. I will be looking for a used round baler and want to be able to make five foot bales. This hay venture will be irrigated grass/alfalfa mixed hay and I plan to round bale the first cutting. The remainder of the cuttings will be small squares, but I already have that covered. This will be all comercially grown hay as I have other hay ground to suit my needs.

My question is what is a decent, reliable round baler that you are happy with the final product staying tight and not falling apart if having to transport it long distances? I want one that will net wrap, not just twine tie.

I had access and ran a Case IH (Hesston) baler until this last spring when it caught fire. I will say we were not dissapointed that it is gone. We hated that baler. You could not even think of baling even the slightest damp hay without it wraping in the belts, and you always had to be VERY slow when starting a bale. It was a twine tie only which was ok at the time because we had a shrink wraper, but it has been sold, hence the desire for net wraping. (As of now they will be stored outside)

We have local JD(expensive), Vermeer(I know guys like them), NH(know nothing about them), and a Hesston(still a Hesston) dealers in the area. Which one should I pursue and what model numbers should I be asking about? Oh ya, if just one cutting per season, I will put about 300 bales thru it.

TIA

Edited by sodbuster35 1/23/ 07:30

johnwayne360

Posted 1/23/ 07:53 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

near dyersville iowa

For 300 bales..probably a 535 deere. Best of the older round balers. If you go newer, I think Vermeer would be ok with their current series. NH I know nothing about. ahay

Posted 1/23/ 08:14 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

Saronville NE

Id pry go JD or newer NH. Depending on your budget. Personally if you don't expand into hay more, for 300 bales a year, Id hire it done. For $4k- a yr, you could have it done and have no, repairs, ins, net, fuel, time etc in it. JMO. But makes a difference if thinking a $ 535 or thinking $20k 568. If it was me, I wouldn't own any of the balers in the middle between a 535 or a 568, either go 1 or the other or go different brand like NH BR780A or BR.

Edited by ahay 1/23/ 08:16

olivetroad

Posted 1/23/ 08:24 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

Kingdom of Callaway - Fulton, Mo

I know NH and Vermeer make stripped down plain jane balers for a small guy (like me) that wants to put up a little hay and can't justify a expensive one. I bought a new Vermeer Rebel baler 10 years ago that was cheaper than larger used ones. I have put 300 to bales a year through it with very few problems. I tried to hire it done and everyone puts up hay at the same time you do. I lost two fields to rain because the neighbor was late showing up. That would have paid for half the baler. German Shepherd

Posted 1/23/ 08:41 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

I've got a 567 JD and think it's a great baler.    The bales start every time, they're tight, and keep their shape.   I previously had a NH 664 and we constantly had issues with the bales not starting in some conditions, as well as the twine not starting or cutting off.

My cousin had a fairly new NH baler (BR?) and had the same issues, plus the pickups on the NH's are a joke.   Pickers are way heavier on a JD.   I recommend you get a Mega Wide pickup.   Also, a 568 or 569 is equally as good or maybe even better, but a lot more money.

Boxer

Posted 1/23/ 08:43 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

Northwest Missouri

It sure is nice to have your own baler. sodbuster35

Posted 1/23/ 09:12 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

This is the exact reason I'm not hiring it done. There are not a lot of guys that bale around here, but when they do, everyone does it at the same time. 3w farms

Posted 1/23/ 09:48 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

For more information, please visit plastic waste balers.

S.E. Iowa

JD 567 300 bales a year put you in the position of justifying a good decent baler , in my opinion If you hired the baling done you would pay somewhere around $ a year. A really good 567 would cost around $ four year pay back on your investment and easily a 10 year usage with minimum repairs and good upkeep. The 567 puts out a really good bale compared to earlier JD balers, one that will stay together when handled and transported whistle pig

Posted 1/23/ 09:52 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

SE MN

The used baler market is really flooded, its a buyers market especially in your price range.

For 300 bales, I would have to assume you want to keep your investment much lower than a new baler. I would look at 535's or maybe 567's if you want net wrap. hinfarm

Posted 1/23/ 10:12 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

Amherst WI

Amherst WI

I'd vote 535 as well. CarlA

Posted 1/23/ 10:20 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

535 for sure. It is a great baler, nearly the same as a 567, but a little a older, thus, cheaper. feelnrite

Posted 1/23/ 10:23 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

northwest tennessee

I agree on the 535 and you can find them worth the money. Haybale

Posted 1/23/ 10:33 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

WC Iowa

If it were me, I'd go with a 567. Gets you a nice monitor, much better megawide pickup, can use cover edge if you want, a pure joy to run. Hunt around and watch auctions. Something in the 10-12k bale range would last you a long time and as said above the used baler market is flooded. I would rather pay 10-15 grand for a 567 than 5-7 for a 535. XIX

Posted 1/23/ 10:47 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

There is a 535 with wrap in Iowa on auctiontime.

coyotehunter

Posted 1/23/ 11:00 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

I would buy a 567, you will have to put some parts into it but if you can do bearings yourself you will end up with a baler that will outlast yourself. cowboyk

Posted 1/23/ 11:14 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

sw North Dakota

Running two NH BRs. Never look back, no problems. jc

Posted 1/23/ 11:57 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

northern IL

For just 300 bales I would also say 535 deere for the cost of them .
I run a 535 deere ,and other than a sensitive net wrap system it makes a very respectful bale . If I upgrade I would go with a vermeer m or newer though . Cline

Posted 1/23/ 13:00 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

North West MO

JD 530 would be cheap they only do twine. It hurts me to say this but I would definitely go John Deere for a baler. They just are mechanically simpler than everything else. They practically made the same baler for 25-30 years. Only changes was double tie arms for twine, net wrap, wider pick up that might be it.

Edited by Cline 1/23/ 13:02

PTO

Posted 1/23/ 13:20 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

Northeast Misery

+1 on the 7 series deere, and if you're doing a lot of trucking you may want to think about a 4' wide baler. (467) RAFscott

Posted 1/23/ 15:04 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

Scottsboro, AL

Scottsboro, AL

X2 (but we use a JD 566) dt

Posted 1/23/ 15:50 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

Fairbury, NE (Southeast)

12k baler going off Ahay's numbers would have a ROI over 20% even figuring tractor depreciation, time, etc. That's a pretty good payback.

sodbuster35

Posted 1/23/ 16:46 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

WC Illinois/SE Iowa

PTO,
I thought about that as well, but do most guys that buy their hay rather have a five foot bale or is a four foot bale ok to market? johnwayne360

Posted 1/23/ 17:44 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

near dyersville iowa

depends on where your at..and where youre shipping it to. Some places 10 ft wide hauling is a hassle. broze26

Posted 1/23/ 17:59 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

NW Iowa

NW Iowa

Have a 567 Deere for sale if your interested. PTO

Posted 1/23/ 19:00 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

Northeast Misery

Never had an issue here, but if you have several repeat customers you might want to discuss with them. JDSWMO

Posted 1/23/ 20:01 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Best round baler for the money

A solid 4' bale could open up a bigger trading area.
In a perfect world (someone that knows how much hay is in a big bale and what it's worth) a 5x6 bale sold to a reliable neighbor is the way to go.

Posted 1/24/ 23:01 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: Best round baler for the money

west central Iowa

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Baler Machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

I've had a 535 and now a J vermeer and I would take the J over the deere even if they were the same cost, but you can buy a J a lot cheaper. The J is simpler and will make just as good a bale and the operater controls the tieing so it won't start half way thru the bale like the deere. The J has a better pickup and will bale stalks better and you don't need metric wrenches.