1998 Hesston 540

[_Muhammad200]

Thinking about buying a used 1998 Hesston 540 round baler. I know it's got that belt system that starts pressing the hay right away. I've checked out the belts, rollers, and hydraulic tensioners for wear, but I'm trying to figure out the real costs and what usually goes wrong.

How much would a full belt replacement set me back? Besides the obvious uneven length or smoothness, what else should I look for on those belts? Also, is there anything I should know about the electric twine system? Any tips on what else to check before I buy this thing would be great

 

[Brad Pith]

A full set of belts will run you around $1,500 to $2,000 or so. Besides length and smoothness, check for fraying, cracks, or spots where the plies are separating

 

[ChrissyNia]

Thinking about buying a used 1998 Hesston 540 round baler. I know it's got that belt system that starts pressing the hay right away. I've checked out the belts, rollers, and hydraulic tensioners for wear, but I'm trying to figure out the real costs and what usually goes wrong.

How much would a full belt replacement set me back? Besides the obvious uneven length or smoothness, what else should I look for on those belts? Also, is there anything I should know about the electric twine system? Any tips on what else to check before I buy this thing would be great

Keep an eye on those twine arms, they can get sticky, so make sure they move smoothly. For the twine tension, that's very pricey to repair, so give it a look. Also, test the knife; if it's dull, you'll get wrap fails and twine jams. Last thing, make sure the electronic controls are doing what they should with the density settings.