Advice on IHC horse powered hay baler

[G B Lee]

I need some info regarding an IHC horse powered hay baler. This baler is powered by horses walking around a trun-table which powers a shaft to the staionary baler.

I have been ask to help in the disposition of my friends deceased father's collection of old farm equipment of which this baler is part of.

This baler is in good condition and has been stored inside for many years. Being a collector and restorer of old iron myself, I realize that this is not a common item.

How would one value this baler? Are there any clubs or horse owners out there that would use such an item? The baler is located in Spring, Texas, just north Of Houston.

Regards.... Gerald Lee

[Mike McKnight]

Gerald,
I hate to say it, but they ain't that uncommon. We've got one rusting out in the pasture right now, and I've seen several others over the years. With that said, it's still well worth preserving, and I would think that someone will want it to preserve it and show it. They're a fascinating piece of equipment to see work, and my dad used to show an old Chattanooga mule-powered baler at the local shows.

With all that said, 10-15 years ago you could buy about any mule baler you wanted for less than $200 bucks. Nowadays, I don't have a clue?

Mike M

[John Hanson]

The last "horse power" I saw went for about $1500, but it was a basically new 8 horse. There was a smaller one at the auction and I can't remember what it brought, but it was around $1000. I guess you could add that to the hay press and come up with some sort of price?
JH

[Mike McKnight]

John,
After re-reading his post, I think he might be talking about a different kind of baler than I'm used to seeing.

This is the sort of baler I'm used to seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvdQpA6hfko

Maybe worth a bit more, I dunno? Gerald, any way to post some pics of this rig?

Mike M

[greysteam24hp]

Sometime it takes a little time to get history of hay press. I would assume I learn something what I didn't know about. Back then the powered machinery was the highest technology. Now we can research and demonstrate hard working historical piece. It looks lot like to bale an acre a week. Folks keep on posting more of horse powered hay press.