How to load baler twine in a round baler.

Today we’ll talk about how to load baler twine in a round baler.

You’ve cut and raked your hay into perfect windrows. You’ve baled that hay, making tight, dense, well-shaped bales. And now the crowning touch on the baling process is to wrap those perfect bales properly. There are plenty of pros and cons to consider on all the options available. Which you choose is up to you, and the make and model of your round baler.

But today, we’re going to talk about how to load baler twine. For this video, we’re using polypropylene twine in a John Deere 460M Round Baler (US CA).

To begin, disconnect the rubber straps and load four twine balls on the four shelves. Then tie the outside twine end of one ball to the inside twine end of the next, continuing that way until all four balls are tied together.

Load Twine Tip #1

When you load twine, use this Sheet Bend knot to tie the twine ends together. It’s easy. It’s strong. And it will be small enough for the tied-together twine to pass through guides on the twine arm later in the process. Then replace the rubber straps to secure the balls in place.

To load twine into this large round baler means hand-feeding the tied-together twine on each side of the baler through a long system of guides, loops, tension plates, wheels, and tubes.

Here’s Tip #2

A twine threading guide is located near the twine box. Start by removing the twine guide arm from the notch and rotate it down to begin threading the baler twine through its loops.

Once you’ve threaded the twine guide arm, insert the twine between the tension plates on the front of the baler and pull it through. Rotate the twine arm back up and place it back in the twine box notch. Then place the twine ball whose twine is threaded through the twine guide up on the top shelf, and fill the other boxes with the remaining twine balls. Then reattach the retainer straps.

For plastic or small sisal twine, route the twine through the twine guide and then wrap it a full turn around the twine moving indicator wheel. It must route behind the strand that comes down from the twine box.

Ultimately, the twine ends up at the twine arm. At that point, hold the two twine arms together and remove the spring pin. Remove any crop residue. Then thread the twine along the twine arm, through the twine tensioning system, and out through the twine tube on the end of the arm. Pull the twine 12 to 15 inches (30.5 – 38.1 cm) beyond the end of the tube and cut it off.

Now Here’s Tip #3

Tie off the end of the twine to the baler to hold it in place during transport to the field. Just in case that twine has the urge to unthread itself a little during the trip.

Then, repeat the exact same process on the other side of the baler.

Once the second side of baler twine has been threaded and tied off, replace the spring pin that sets the twine wrap spacing at 2, 4, 6, or 8 inches wide (5, 10.2, 15.24, or 20.3 cm), which should correspond to how you’ve set it up on your in-cab bale monitor if you’re using one. Set the number of twine end wraps on the monitor. Then adjust the mechanical twine guide control to set the wrap distance from the left-hand edge of the bale. For most baling conditions, this should be set at 4.5-inches (11.4 cm) from the end of the bale. Be sure to also follow the instructions in your Operator’s Manual for setting this on the monitor, if you’re using one.

As you can see, loading twine is a fairly complex process and can be time consuming. So remember, you should follow the instructions closely found in your machine’s Operator’s Manual.

You’ll find several other videos here on Tips Notebook on various aspects of the haymaking process and other pieces of equipment you might want or need to use in your operation.

Now don’t forget, always read the Operator’s Manual before storing or operating any piece of equipment, and follow all operating and safety instructions.

And remember, if you’re looking for equipment that’s built to get the job done season after season, year after year, you’ll find it – and all kinds of advice on how to use it – every day at your John Deere dealer.

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How to set up and operate a round baler

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