The magic of a baler knotter | New Holland Small Square Baler Knotter

[@alanjackson4397]

Too many people today don’t appreciate the years of experience that gentleman like this have and contribute to the manufacturing and operation of not only farm equipment that other manufacturing processes

[@johnbruen1651]

I was going to make the same comment. I think today's "woke" generation disregards the knowledge available from the "boomers", because they already "know it all".

[@robertqueberg4612]

Oh yes… the knotter. Man’s servant, and in a few minutes the best teacher of wrench throwing, accompanied by a few new words that your momma does not approve of. Then when you “read up on it.” A company such as Messick’s seems to place a true value on hands on knowledge. Thank you guys.

[@eleuteriodiaz3653]

That guy is a dying breed. He is a trove of knowledge he can sit there and give a lecture on how this works and patiently explain every aspect of the situation. Love watching people like him.

[@MrNobody2828]

These guys are GOLD! They know their stuff! Thank you for this video. When the knotters go to hell, there is usually rain coming our way and it's not far away...

[@robertheinkel6225]

I was sent to New Hollands school for balers. We had to completely disassemble then reassemble a knotter. After that,I spent my summers repairing balers out in the field. Each morning I would return to the shop to replenish my stock and do it all over again.

[@leroyj7877]

I did exactly the same as you for 30 plus years

[@ashleyflint3501]

As a farmer I really appreciate you guys for keeping the machinery moving, thank you.

[@chrismann2954]

I am 45 yr old, been helping bale hay since I was a kid on our family farm. This was the best explanation I have ever seen along with explaining the wear parts areas to trouble shoot. Knotters have always been voodoo or black magic to us. Dad always said don’t touch them, don’t even look at them funny or they will mess up, lol.

[@richarde.6750]

I'm not a farmer nor do I operate a baler but I always wanted to know how the knot was tied...Paul was the greatest teacher of how the knotter works..... and technology cannot improve it...amazing......and thank you Paul.....one of my many questions has been answered and thank you Neil. .

[@jeremygladd6657]

Great video, I really hope the new techs put their phones down and learn something from Paul. Once he’s gone so is all of his knowledge.

[@jimsullivan9710]

Paul’s knowledge is fantastic. Was great to get detailed explanation of the knotter

[@jimcox6687]

I've been farming and making hay for 45 years. I have had 6 different balers in my lifetime. With all my years experience there are still times when the knotters won't tie and I still struggle with it Thank you and I always find it very interesting to listen to somebody that has such good knowledge.

[@johnhelbig7110]

I started in a New Holland dealer parts department in 1978; lots of these NH square balers around. I sold tons of those knotter parts and watched the annual sales gradually die off to near nothing by the time our dealership sold in 2020. Growing up, I watched my dad working on square balers in both our fields and customer’s fields. Dad would’ve turned 100 this past week.

[@edschultheis9537]

As a mechanical design engineer for 35+ years, it's impressive to me that this whole knotting mechanism was invented and designed at a time long before CAD (Computer Aided Design) and especially 3D CAD. The initial designs were all done with pencil/pen, paper, drafting table, slide rule, protractor, compass, and triangles.

[@haweater1555]

The first twine knotters of this principle were invented by a guy called Appleby and applied to grain binders in the 1850s.

[@dalemyers3945]

What a wealth of information there, hope he can pass it on to future mechanics, guys like him are fading away.

[@Bruce.94538]

Great video. As a kid in the early 70’s, I was always intrigued on how the knotter worked.

[@leetime454]

Immediately saved this vid to favorites. Hand turning the knotter is so much clearer then even watching vids of it in slow motion. Had to archive this in case I ever have issues with my 273.

[@thomasmalone9929]

I am in ms. And I very fortunate to have Mr. James Green as a friend , he also was an new Holland service rep. And helps me keep my bales running. It's amazing the powerful knowledge that these men have.

[@coldspring624]

Paul is pure gold.

[@lcee6592]

The man knows his stuff! So complicated design yet no Cad Cam was involved way back then.

[@JCWren]

Kinda like the SR-71 Blackbird.

[@lcee6592]

@@JCWren Absolutely! An incredible machine to say the least.

[@butchphillips873]

The bill hook knotter was invented in Germany in 1923 by Claas. still in use today.

[@kylemangum8672]

Please tell Paul "Thank You!" What a wonderful wealth of knowledge.

[@junkorbust9498]

The knotter assembly is an engineering masterworks.

[@bradsnyder8802]

Love this. Just road around on the rear of a NH68? that my father's father bought new in '57 according to my dad. The twine was hanging up on the finger bolt. I had to make sure it didn't catch. He later took it apart, broke the cast iron spacer (surprised him when it shattered) and had to machine another without as much play. So interesting to see the mechanism in action. My mom's father owned a Ford/NH dealership and was really good at troubleshooting these balers. Interesting stories of my mom and dad's courtship. Thanks for sharing.

[@jaygraham5407]

Thank you for a great explanation of the NH knotters. I took these for granted, 60 years ago when I was operating a NH 66 at the age of 12. Now I know the rest of the story!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@dougblasberg8244]

I really enjoyed this video. Operating the display model in slow motion was very helpful in letting us see how the bill hook actually forms a knot. Paul's knowledge is definitely valuable.

[@BattlestarCanada]

Mr. Smith is a gem! Would love to hear more of his knowledge!

[@jbcowherder6210]

as a cattle farmer, i've always wondered how that machine worked.... truly simple but complex all at the same time. harmony in motion. Paul, you are definitely a library of information.

[@douglasweller9709]

Great video! The manual works if you read it and don’t lose it! I visited a friend and he had a NH baler that was only working on one side . He ask me if I know about balers , I told I know when they are maintained they work great . Turns out he had not read the manual or adjust the bill to slide the knot. So I adjusted it per the manual by rigging up some big wrenches to make a lever and sprung it into tolerance. I also made him go buy some parts. Works great for 2 years now. It’s just not worth waiting until hay is ready before repairing the baler.

[@AcmeCountryAcres]

Great video, not many left like Paul. The timing on this video is perfect as I’m about to go through the knitters on my old new holland baler and make sure it’s ready.

[@court2379]

I have a JD baler from the 60s, exactly the same.

[@TomSarelas]

Paul's great! Once again, genius design engineering endures. Fantastic! TFS

[@ashleyflint3501]

Thank you Paul, wish I saw this 30 years ago when I had a 275 and 317 New Holland balers. Lucky I never had alot of problems with those balers. Very good brand.

[@brianpritt4154]

I always enjoy Paul at the open house. He is glad to talk hay equipment with anyone

[@hartlow946]

Wow!! I used to run my dads International 50T baler in the late 60's. I could never figure out how the knotter worked. I remember them as being very temperamental. Thank you for finally solving the puzzle for me!

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

Thank you for doing this video Neal. Paul, I salute you sir!

[@tommartin8155]

I have a 270 I found two years ago. It's in really good shape. Made between 61 to 63. A slow poker at 65 strokes per minute. It rarely misses a tye. I wish new Holland is missing the boat by not making a smaller simple baler for the under 40 hp folks who have smaller farms. The older ones are getting harder to find. Thanks for the great video. Tom from n y

[@markthefarmer]

Always happy to hear some think new for old guys that were repering them and they know them from inside out... very happy to see this video thanks !!!!

[@MJF40]

Wow ! Good info and what a knowledgeable fella. Soon we'll miss these guys with all this knowledge and passion.

[@samengler539]

Great Video Neil. I’m and old tool maker and automation machine builder. Farm equipment always was amazing to me. Thanks.

[@clcphoto]

This was really interesting. I'm always amazed how our baler seems to work with (almost) no issues when it seems to have so many mysterious moving parts that could/should break at any time

[@allanbeck4634]

Walked many a mile alongside a twine bailer to retie twine when the knots slipped. You had to spot it quickly to be able to tie them before bail reached the end of the discharge chute. If you didn't get it just right then you had banana bales that had to be broken up and spread out in the next windrow. After watching this explanation it looks like the twine clamp wasn't holding tight enough and the spring needed replacement. Grandpa thought that the issue was with the knotter and would fiddle with it for hours during down time and off season.

[@ferree1709]

Your best video. Thanks for brining Paul Smith on the channel.

[@warrenfromga9945]

What a great video! What a great resource for the People. I have never understood knoters until today. I probably do not fully understand but Mr. Paul surely could answer any questions I might have. Thank you for sharing this.

[@alaskahermithomesteader9549]

Man this brings back memories. Growing up we had a case baler with Wisconsin engine. It was wire tie. My dad could tune that baler like a fine piano. He knew. That baler like the back of his hand. The yr he bought and rebuilt it was 1960.

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

That man is such a wealth of knowledge. Understanding this process is complex enough. Imagine the first person or persons to design this. Their understanding of the geometry of all of this is truly something to be in awe of.

[@AlanSanderson-u4t]

I read somewhere that the prototype knotter was whittled from wood.

[@butchphillips873]

@@AlanSanderson-u4t The Bill hook knotter was invented by Claas Germany in 1923. Don't know about the wood part.

[@TheDougroles]

Paul seems very knowledgeable. Gif bless you for having this talent with machinery

[@brietzterry]

Thanks to Mr. Paul for sharing his knowledge!

[@stuartrobertson4714]

Brilliantly explained hopefully get one this week before baling hay have watched this 3 times to look for when going to see one from Scotland Aberdeenshire

[@deancampfield4703]

Years age we started out with a John deere allways had knotter problems every year switched to new Holland it was from night to day never nad any knotting problems after that . Great video

[@mifflintownequipmentrental8816]

Very interesting video! Never knew how the knots were formed until today. Thanks Paul and crew!

[@57Dalv]

Super interesting video and Paul's years of experience are admirable. I really enjoyed this and although I don't bale hay anymore, found it very informative. I would recommend more videos like this explaining how the equipment actually works...say a round baler? Thanks for a great channel.

[@johnwinslow3821]

PAUL SMITH.....ONE OF THE OLD SCHOOL NH FIELD REPS...REMEMBER WHEN PAUL STARTED WORKING WITH NH SERVICE...

[@Bill-NBfarming]

Great video! I’ve always wanted to build one of those knotter demonstrators for my little farm museum.

[@mikecollins1269]

Thanks Neil and Paul.

[@VideosByAl]

Paul is Awesome. Great presentation.

[@justindavis1546]

That was a great video. Simple but very complex.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you Paul and Neil! Great info!

[@HireFarms]

Great job Paul!!

[@tractorfixrable]

I remember those training balers when I went to NH training in Lenexa Kansas. I heard there were balers being transported on a truck that hit an overpass. They salvaged the bale case and made 4 of these simulators.

[@blackseabrew]

Too bad this type of video wasn't available in the 60s/70s. Lots of farmers would have appreciated it. It would have been interesting to so the knotter on a big square baler.

[@berthongo8531]

Amazing! I love this video and Paul is brilliant! Thanks!

[@boomersudden6257]

Thanks for the informational video. I know first hand of struggling with my 269. Still a work in progress.

[@AutoBob5434]

I really liked this video

[@ericcrockett479]

The knowledge that man possesses is more valuable than gold. It is knowledge learned from 1st hand experience, not some text book. I agree you you Neil, that the knotter was designed by someone with a ruler and a pencil, and still to this day is unchanged. I would be curious to know how the Knotter works on the balers that use wire

[@gregwmanning]

I always thought the machine that can tie prefect knots was genius. This video confirms that to me.

[@matthewkrueger6493]

Thank you so much. What a great video! Paul is awesome...

[@bamatractor]

A knot tier is a engineering marvel!

[@billb2079]

The guy that invented this....I forgot already lol...was probably the smartest person ever. Incredible

[@butchphillips873]

Invented by Claas Germany in 1923.

[@Camera1931-p5v]

Great job guys!

[@RandThompson-dd3sk]

I spent hours and days rolling over the flywheel so pap could understand what as the problem with the JD 14T. I think I turned that flywheel over more times than the JD B did!!

[@johnhelbig7110]

On an actual square baler in the field that was missing knots, my job as a youngster was turning the flywheel over by hand while dad or a mechanic watched the knotter go through it’s cycle just as Paul did.

[@larryhewitt1078]

We had a John Deere 336 baler, we always kept it in the dry, greased it each time it when into the field and only greased it at each fitting until you can see the grease come out. Kept it clean and dry always. It was great if it worked but it was a long hard day if it wouldn't tie!

[@MorganOtt-ne1qj]

The man who designed the knotter didn't have a computer, maybe not even a slide ruler, but he had a brain that created a tool that hasn't changed in the better part of a century. Engineers today can't put a filter in an accessable place, and they have computers to help them.

[@butchphillips873]

Invented in 1923 by Claas Germany

[@Ryan_Maineaquaria]

Super cool I’ve always wondered how exactly the knots were tied In bailers.

[@Ron-ds2ob]

I was always amazed, and wondered how a knotter worked. Now I know.

[@Treeplanter73]

It does it through magic!

[@africadreamin]

I remember as an apprentice watching the baler mechanic tie knots without hay in the chamber, in the blink of an eye it was done, later I would go out to breakdowns and eventually buy my own baler, wear was the biggest problem because wear multiplies amongst the moving parts but farmers would be reluctant to replace more than one or two parts. In England, one baler the Bamford BL48 was known as the tea time baler because as soon as a hint of damp and it would start to act up, by the way, the name Long referred to the Long baler company of America.

[@nealk6387]

The bale notter is mechanical wizardry!

[@Mick6k]

Many thanks from an 267 hayliner-driver

[@charlydegaul8737]

Is it possible to get some informations about hesston round ballers? I am from Slovenia and I am looking for informations about models,....,because I intend to buy and this machines are amazing

[@BritishBeachcomber]

John Appleby spent so much time inventing the hay bale knotter it drove him crazy. Seriously. He was never right after that.

[@jamesmcdowell8441]

I,ve noticed that I never have any trouble with the baler til I go to use it . 😂

[@fire44x]

When I done my apprenticeship on farm machine s I had to crawl in balers for cleaning out removing knives etc 45 years ago and we had 1st hesston big balers in uk

[@number40Fan]

Thanks, Paul.

[@RodneyHayes-d3y]

The gentleman clearly doesn't understand the presentation of the subject as it pertains to being videoed and put on a format as you tube. He does however have an excellent working knowledge of the mechanism and the workings of the systems involved. He shows and explains the best I have ever seen of how this process works.

[@peteragnel509]

Neil you need to find a new holland 66/67/68 and a new hayliner and do a side by side and specs! Can you still get new holland wooden plunger slides?

[@alilee505]

You 2 work together great, giving the old feller cues because he clearly has too much knowledge on a knotter to chose what to talk about next. I just wish the camera was pointed at what the feller was talking about sometimes it was off

[@jamesmcdowell8441]

Where’s the best place to get an operators manual for a 1950 Massey Ferguson model 10 ? I,ve kept this baler going for years through shear trial and error , but I,ve never got a manual .

[@bryanmccallum4614]

Neil you are a knotty man !

[@GregSimmons-y6q]

Read the owners manual. Best advice ever

[@danstark462]

I had weak knots on my Ford 430 baler and my new Holland 357 square baler. It was a common problem. These are poor knots had a shoe lace loop. This was the cause of the bill hook not completely opening to allow all of the strings to enter under the bill hook tongue. When I added a thickness of welding bead for the tongue to open where the wheel on the other end of the bill hook runs over a hub then my bale knots were like new and strong with reliability to not miss. The hub that guide the bill hook to open, when ensuring to begin tying the knot had worn down and would not provide the three sixteenth of space for the two strings to slip under the bill's tongue. Once fixing that I was on my way.

[@job38four10]

I think a haybale knotter is one of them 8th wonders of the world, for me to begin to grasp it a video like that 1940 diff video would need to be made......

[@peteragnel509]

How many times has part #82847675 been replaced? When was the last you sold one lol

[@dimitrimotor2861]

cool staff

[@butchphillips873]

Pity you didn't credit the inventor of the bill hook knotter at 14:30 in the vidio. Claas Germany were the inventors in 1923.

[@jefflawsonqwest]

Great knowledge. Too bad there weren’t more/better close ups of all the stuff he was grabbing and showing.

[@double-h-farms]

I had to service these on balers that farmers were having trouble with not tying, knot not slipping off the bill hook, out of time, bale length adjustments, not that complicated..

[@onestallfab]

First knotter was patented by John Appleby in 1878 for Cyrus McCormick…Mazomanie Wisconsin. Some Wisconsin trivia stuck in my brain.

[@komatsutech1]

Does a big square and round bailer work the same?

[@komatsutech1]

If not can you do a video on them also? Thanks

[@spencertoolandgrind]

Best one ever!!!! 🎉

[@jimputnam2044]

LOL Old teck 100 hundred years old. The internal combustion eng is the same eng as in 1890. fuel delivery has been improved but the design is the same. This knotter has never been improved on???? How smart were these old inventers??

[@Hereford1020]

Wow I wished Paul lived in my area. No one seems to know how to time the system here.

[@JCWren]

Read the operators manual :)

[@haweater1555]

10:10 In a regularlly operated baler, the bill hook and twine discs are polished to a shine by the rubbing of twine, they wouldnt have paint or rust on them. A disused, neglected baler never works well. A leaving them outside in the weather is a death sentence for all the moving, sliding, turning surfaces of a baler. Far too many operating machines were abandoned and "put out to pasture" , making them rust buckets. My balers are never left outside uncovered in the rain, and always put inside overnight.