Adjusting 444 Baler Ram

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I purchased a 444 baler this spring and I have been going through it in my spare time making adjustments and replacing worn items.   
I started on the last item on my list yesterday, the ram.  I started by examine the two knives and the clearance, in doing so I discovered the whole ram can shift side to side by about 1/8"  Being that the book calls for a knife tolerance of .005-.032, the ram moving .125 is a lot in my opinion.  Looking at the book since all the rollers on the right hand side of the ram are not adjustable it seems my only choice is to try and use the adjusting bolts to push the upper left track in to take up the slack, or not?  Will doing this move the ram sideways or try and rotate it?

Also, when the book gives the ram adjusting procedure to make the knives parallel is it talking about fore and aft parallel or top to bottom?

I also noticed that the left side bottom rear eccentric roller is not touching the track, I assume that means it moved and/or the track wipers are set to low raising the ram off the roller?

Thanks for the help.

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Michael (WI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Larrabee, WI Points: 815	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael (WI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Adjusting 444 Baler Ram Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 1:48pm
	I purchased a 444 baler this spring and I have been going through it in my spare time making adjustments and replacing worn items. I started on the last item on my list yesterday, the ram. I started by examine the two knives and the clearance, in doing so I discovered the whole ram can shift side to side by about 1/8" Being that the book calls for a knife tolerance of .005-.032, the ram moving .125 is a lot in my opinion. Looking at the book since all the rollers on the right hand side of the ram are not adjustable it seems my only choice is to try and use the adjusting bolts to push the upper left track in to take up the slack, or not? Will doing this move the ram sideways or try and rotate it? Also, when the book gives the ram adjusting procedure to make the knives parallel is it talking about fore and aft parallel or top to bottom? I also noticed that the left side bottom rear eccentric roller is not touching the track, I assume that means it moved and/or the track wipers are set to low raising the ram off the roller? Thanks for the help.

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Tracy Martin TN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Gallatin,TN Points: 10876	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tracy Martin TN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 9:10pm
	Michael,not sure on a 444, but my 303 had too much play also. The bearings in mine were on a cam. You can tighten the ram up in it's track. Main thing is that the knives don't ever need enough play to touch. I adjusted ram to get it set right and not bind. Sharpened the knives. I did face mine because of wear. Shimmed them up to a parallel clearance. Cuts great now. Patience and Kroil will be your best friends. HTH Tracy
	No greater gift than healthy grandkids!

Michael (WI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Larrabee, WI Points: 815	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael (WI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 7:59am
	According to the manual only the left, front, lower roller is on a cam which would only give up/down adjustment, not side to side. That is what has me considering moving the left upper track in.

Tracy Martin TN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Gallatin,TN Points: 10876	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tracy Martin TN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 9:00am
	Michael, are the tracks worn bad. That sounds like a lot of play if nothing is adjustable. Main thing no matter what, ram needs to move freely, knives can't touch. How tight can you get the ram just before knives cut? Tracy
	No greater gift than healthy grandkids!

Michael (WI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Larrabee, WI Points: 815	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael (WI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 4:47pm
	That is the issue, with the ram moving that much side to side I can not set the knives. With ram slid to the right (knife) it is just in tolerance, with the ram pried to the left it is an 1/8'" past tolerance.

Michael (WI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Larrabee, WI Points: 815	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael (WI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 3:53pm
	Does anyone out there have a service manual for a 444 baler?

Michael V (NM) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: NM Points: 2524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael V (NM) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 6:33pm
	Shim the stationary knife to get the clearance needed, then adjust plunger to maintain that clerance

Michael (WI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Larrabee, WI Points: 815	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael (WI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 11:35am
	Michael V, how do I adjust the plunger/Ram? To my original question, the only way I see is by moving the upper left track in, is that correct?

Michael V (NM) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: NM Points: 2524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael V (NM) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 5:05pm
	Been a long time since I have done much with the small square balers,,,this is kinda from what I sorta remember.there should be a way to put shims in the plunger tracks to move it one way or the other Or ya got to shim or adjust the roller bearings to maintain the clearance The operator manual should outline the adjustment procedure...