Rotobaler Questions
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=208683
Printed Date: 23 Dec 2025 at 5:22pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Rotobaler Questions
Posted By: Travis2766
Subject: Rotobaler Questions
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2025 at 11:48am
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After many years i was finally able to find a rotobaler at an auction not far from me, close enough i was able to pull it home! I had to give a whole $40 to outbid the scrap guy but I was fine with that besides he got plenty of other stuff. It’s been sitting outside for many years, someone started at one point to repair and restore things. I spoke with the older gentleman I bought it from and he never used it, had intentions to restore it but like most of us he had too many other projects. I think most of the pieces are there he even had a couple of the ball hitches. Apron chain has a broken cross piece which i should be able to weld. My plans are to hopefully get this thing back up and running and make 20-25 straw bales a year with it. I have read plenty of the postings on this forum as to where to start with repairs and freeing things up, which i started on already. I can turn the lower press roller with a wrench on the end so i think things are freed up. Now for the first batch of what I'm going to guess will be many-many questions posted here. Does anyone know the size of the v-belt that goes on the side from the apron to the twine arm? This is missing while I'm sure I could figure it out but if someone knows it would help. Is there any other way to date these other than the serial number? The bracket on the back that has the number is painted over, the manual I got when I bought it say #2986 which would make it a 1947 but who knows if that's the right number.    ------------- 190XT Series III, D17 Series IV, D15 Series II, All Crop 66, Rotobaler. |
Replies:
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2025 at 3:16pm
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I might have generic belt sizes in my manuals. Years ago a man from Kansas wrote out 3 double sided pages of instructions to tell me how to change the endless belts. I doubt you could find endless belts any more. The laced belts will work, they're just noisier. Basically anything that turns should be greased or oiled generously. The most important thing is that the brake isn't stuck to the drum. Also the latch plates need to have good square edges. Get yourself a full set of manuals and forget what you know about a square baler. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: dr p
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2025 at 7:19pm
| What did dante say was posted on the gate to hell " abandon hope to all who enter here". I wish you all the best, and if you like resurrection projects, then go for it. But if it were me, i would call the junk man back and see if he could come and get it. Those belts are shot and upper lower sets will run you 1000 bucks. No shield on the pto shaft. No one on this site likes rotobalers more than i but i would keep looking. You can find one that is in a lot better shape for a couple hundred more. This one is just going to make cry. |
Posted By: Lon(MN)
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2025 at 6:56am
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I scraped three last year when I moved to Wisconsin. I still have three in my collection. They come apart easy so you are able to load on a car hauler trailer. Keep looking for a nicer one. ------------- http://lonsallischalmers.com |
Posted By: Travis2766
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2025 at 10:36am
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I'm not going to argue that it needs a lot of work put into it, it certainly does. I'm not restoring it to show quality and it's not a machine I'm going to make loads of hay with. You mention it needs $1000 in belts which I'm aware of but in my mind is no reason not to put them on. I've watched plenty of guys buy tractors that need $1500 in tires put on and that doesn't stop them, so in my book the cost is not an excuse. I spent $600 for new canvases for my 66 All Crop and that didn't stop me. PTO guard can be fab'd up in a few hours so I'm not worried about that either. If restoring farm equipment was a money making venture everyone would do it. I have some sort of unknown connection to these old machines (I think like most guys here) and there is no way i would ever sell it for scrap, at the very least I'd keep it for parts. I may continue to look for a better machine which in my area is nearly impossible to find anymore and hauling one 8 hours is out in my book. Makes me sound crazy but this one may be my fixer upper. ------------- 190XT Series III, D17 Series IV, D15 Series II, All Crop 66, Rotobaler. |
Posted By: dfwallis
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2025 at 11:02am
 It's only money, you can't take it with you  I say, if it's mostly there, fix it.------------- 1952 CA13092 |
Posted By: 19F150
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2025 at 6:20pm
| If you were closer to eastern Iowa I have 2 round balers that would be good parts balers |