I just bought a 1978 845 round baler and does
anyone know if there is a trick to feeding in the
hay or straw. I have heard that these balers are
known for bales that look like a barrel. Let me know guys. Also is there anything else I should
look for or watch for on this machine, it is
alot different from the 1958 oliver square baler
that I'am used to.

A barrel shaped bale is caused by too much hay at the center compared to the ends. Thus, once you've got the bale started and rolling, move to one side and fill until that side is slightly larger than the other. Then quickly cross over to the other side and do the same. The center will fill automatically when you cross over from side to side. If your windrow is too large, you'll end up with too much hay in the center, thus a barrel shape. Experiment with the length of time on each side and keep the windrows down to half the width of the pickup and you should have no problems. The 845 is a good baler.

If you don't know how to windrow the 845 makes a barrel bale.

Make a good windrow and there no trouble at all.

Just start on the windrow with either edge of the pickup and steer so that you criss cross the windrow the full width of the baler pickup.

Once you have the chamber loaded and the bale started by rotating back and forth across the windrow just dead center your windrow and hammer down.

Now watch your bale size indicator up on the top right front corner of the baler.

When you hear a ping and the bale quits spinning just remember not to let the indicator needle go that high again and you'll need a new shear pin before you try again.

When it shears the pin go ahead and put the new shear bolt in and dump that bale without twine.