AC balers?

I'm wondering about AC roto and square balers? How many have one? What price range does each type have. How hard is it to find one in working or at least near working condition? How hard is it to find parts like belts and springs for roto balers and knotter parts and such for square balers.

I have a pair of AC bailers a 302 and 303 squair balers i have got some parts from AGCO but dont realy have any trouble with them the parts man told me that knoter parts from NEW-HOLAND were the same. and i found about 30 NOS. pick-up teeth that i have on hand. anyway i have good luck with mine i gave $125.00 for the 303 and $150.00 for the 302 that was about 5 yrs. ago.------ONE OF THEM IS A 1966 AND THE OTHER IS A 1969 BUT I CANT REMEMBER WHICH is which with out looking the only difference in a 302 and303 is the PTO shaft.303 has 3 u-joints and the 302 has 2

Edited by ctbowles58 - 14 Feb 2012 at 10:50pm

I've got a 444 square baler. Thats the most common type of baler if you are going to use.

I have a 302 and 443 square baler and 2 round balers.  Parts are hard to get  like special sprockets and items made just for that model.  Bearings can be found at auto stores.  Knotters are the same as NH.  I like using the AC square balers better than the NH 273 that we have.  I can bale more hay in a hour with the AC.

So what years were the 302, 303, 443 & 444 built and what are the differences? Is there any reason to look for one over the others?

   Baler     Years Built

   303       1963-69

[TUBE]nCGhYqLDr3I&list=PL26449B5D272A6C93&index=7&feature=plpp_video[/TUBE]

Edited by Austin(WI) - 15 Feb 2012 at 2:17pm

Great videos Austin-Thanks for posting them. Maybe it's a good thing AC didn't have a big round baler. If it had been a good baler and AGCO stuck with it,I guess it would be red and say MF on it now. Got to go vomit after typing that.

I have a 444 baler that my Dad bought new in 1972.  As you can imagine, it is getting a little worn.  It is a wire tie baler.  I know that there was a model of the Ford baler that was almost identical for parts.  Do you know what the model number of the Ford baler was  or where I can get Allis parts for my 444?  I desperately need a sprocket for the pickup header.  It is the original sprocket, but is rounded off to the point I would engage like it should. 

I also have an Allis side delivery rake from the 60's and a 7' 80 series Sickle mower that wer bought in 1974.  The rake was bought by my grandfather which then he sold to my father in the late 60's early 70's.  I live in Muskogee, OK and do not know of any Allis dealers around these parts.

Earl, the sprocket is probably available from AGCO. If not , I bet a Martin sprocket can be had that will work. It may need a hub welded to it, or might get lucky and buy one off the shelf. Any good machine shop close can fix you up.

Tracy, I have the same problem with my 444.  WHen I crowd it heavy in dry hay or just occasionally it will not twist the wire.  One wire is straight and the other is twisted over in a u-shape.  Otherwise it bales wonderful, consistent bales.  Many of my buyers really like the consistency in the bales.  Thanks for the info.

Hello, This is my first attempt to post on a site such as this, but have been trying to solve a problem unsuccessfully.
I would like to bale no more than a thousand small square bales each summer. Really all I need and am not as into hauling the stuff as used to be!!
I had been watching for a cheap baler as I didn't think it made sense to spend much no more bales than I need. I could just keep buying them.
I looked for a long time and anything in my price range was junk. I am not much of a mechanic.
I stopped to look at an Allis 303 long side of the rode one afternoon. Was clean, seemed well kept, had been kept in the shed so I asked the elderly gentleman what he wanted for it. He told me $50. I guess he mistook the look of shock on my face and thought I thought he was high cause he quickly said he'd take $35.
I paid the man, hooked 'er to the truck and left before he changed his mind. Knew I could at least scrap it and get my money back.
I can't get one side to tie. I will tinker and grease and hit it with the hammer and it will tie two or three and then stop. I thought I might just buy the whole knotter ( I only paid $35 so I can spend some on it) but can't find one any where around here.
I would need it explained to me as if explaining to a six year old, I'm afraid. Any one out there with lots of knowledge and patience?? Thanks, Felicia

Will there be two of those, one for each side??

Small hand grinder will work.

Dave, there is a later model allis sq baler for sale in Clarkson, Ky. Good looking unit. Can't remember the guys name but can check it out if you like. Nick