Old 1946 New Holland model 76 Baler in field

[@mgtpa4]

When it came to hay balers, New Holland red was the only color to found on this beef farm. Most of those earlier 76 model balers had VE4 Wisconsin engines with a hand clutch and long v-belts up around the 33 inch diameter flywheel and that engine would run all day. We had a Model 76 that loved gobbling up long stem hay like timothy but short stem straw would take its time going up that canvas apron but it made beautiful square bales. Our 76 model had a 3 inch wide flat belt coming off the main shaft to power the pickup and knotter assemblies, most of the videos poster here show a v-belt drive to the rear. Over the years we had three Super 77 balers with VE4 engines and two 66 balers with small two cylinder engines. Then we decided to go "modern" and got a N.H. model 281 baler pto powered by a John Deere 70 tractor. We baled a "gazillion" bales through it and it rarely had a miss-tied bale. Eventually, all these balers were "retired" to the fence row. Advertised them for sale running or for parts, no takers. (Everyone looking for kicker balers) Tried selling the N.H. Model 281 for $1500, then 1200, then 900, then 500 dollars no buyers, unbelievable...!! Scrap dealer came and took all seven balers, trucked them over to Harrisburg, PA, dumped in to railroad cars after tearing off he rubber tires, shipped to Philly, balers were dumped into a ship's cargo hold and sailed off to who knows where.....!!

[@dallasmervyn3725]

I like this baler i saw this in my younger days never forgot it either i wish i could see again now mervyn Gloucester.

[@hiscifi2986]

Used to do the job of looking at the knots on the bailer, gave me chronic hay-fever, with all the dust.Nice to see the Sisal Twine is still available.

[@chrisnzella]

My uncle used one like this but the pickup was on the other side as I believe this one is a straw baler but the one my uncle used had a V4 Wisconsin engine with electric start. that old thing ran for many years and I remember picking up the bails from it. Thanks for sharing.

[@mhassall7210]

My father had one during the fifties in the UK. The Wisconsin air cooled V4 always a pig to start. I remember being promoted to driving a Fordson Major (1955) towing the 76 during the summer of 1961, I was 9 years old... Following year he bought a McCormick B46 baler, life got easier.

[@budmargesechler3844]

In 1943 as a boy of 7 I rode a square baler and punched baling wire into channels in wood blocks between the bales. My brother of 10 sat on the other side of the baler and tied the wires.

[@philiplantz9595]

When I was 10 and 11 I rode the baler and tied the wires. My mother pushed the wires to me, my father fed the baler by hand.

[@rocksandoil2241]

Had a drill rig w Wisconsin motor. Everyone talked about how hard they were to start. Mine started very easily. Remember they raked hay with a Jeep and baled w one of these horse head balers.

[@stevelangland3924]

The first baler had was a New Holland 77 and it ran with a Wisconsin V-4 engine and electric start when it worked. I remember sitting on the fender watching the baler and Dad loading for a bales that failed to tie or the issues. Ours had a 4 sided paddle at the top that fed it into the auger and then into the bale chamber. A neighbor had a model like the one shown, but he had so many issues with it, he finally hired some to bale his three acres of horse hay. They were good balers when they worked and a nightmare when they didn't. I also remember the clunk clunk of the vertical plunger when the baler went through the tying cycle.

[@bentonbee1]

thanks ! I have been to Lancaster once and you live in a beautiful area!

[@vmdairy]

I learned how to swear starting a Wisconsin V4! Once it got how, you might as well go get dinner.

[@dwightl5863]

My father had a Wisconsin engine on a Minneapolis Moline combine. Absolutely the worse starting engine ever. You are right, if it stopped while hot you were pretty much done for the day. Once it started my Dad would not shut it off until he was done with it for the day. Does bring back memories though. It did test your religion.

[@MrKen-longrangegrdhogeliminato]

@@dwightl5863 Everything you said about the combine and Wisconsin engine exactly like one we had 60 years ago and a Farmall H pulling it.

[@roosty6]

Very interesting to see how these old balers worked. I had a newer version, a 270.

[@bentonbee1]

Thanks for the correction. I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@donnawagner1538]

Yes we are aware of that as Shawn has mentioned him several times. Saw Shawn at a show this summer & chatted a while but I'm unable to call him or get him to respond on their website. He had a 77 @ the show & was making squares out of rounds the same as we have been doing this summer

[@donnawagner1538]

The 76 we bought from Shawn Larrabee is completely restored including the V4 Wisconsin. Works great

[@bentonbee1]

Donna, Bill the owner of the baler in the video, knows Shawn. :)

[@stuartsplace100]

this is so awesome

[@donnawagner1538]

Anyone have any idea where I could buy the conveyor belt that goes under the auger on the 76. Am coming along quite well on the restoration that was started late last fall. Another couple years & I should have it!!

[@bentonbee1]

Too bad they were destroyed! There ate not too many around anymore. Where did you live ?

[@bentonbee1]

Did you ever sell the baler?

[@donnawagner1538]

I bought the 76 from Shawn Larrabee this fall & in the process of restoring it. Anyone having any canvas for it I'd like to hear from. Could take me a few years to restore as I'm wire wheeling & priming everything before painting while repairing anything that needs done

[@krlesmilovac]

that's better than class markant 50

[@BALERMAN]

I have one like this i pulled out of my shed. It needs a motor and some canvas's. It for sale if anyone is interested!

[@eddiehocking9317]

Shawn Larrabee to 0

[@bentonbee1]

John deere man, it is a Farmall H.

[@bentonbee1]

Donna can you email me at [e-mail] ? I think Bill in the video might be able to help...he does not have internet. Thanks Mike