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Waterville, MN | Mergers put a lot less rocks in the windrow vs a rake, that is a lot easier on the chopper. Mergers also can put the hay together with a lower ash content which is important for a dairy. If you are moving hay 30+ feet it will stay a lot cleaner riding on a conveyor vs rolling on the ground.
300 series Oxbo are very rebuildable, but if you find one that hasn't seen the shop in a while it can be $15,000 in a hurry. It is best to stay ahead on maintenence. Cam follower bearings are every 3-4000 acres, tine bar bearings every 2-3 sets of cam bearings. If you stay ahead of cam followers, cams go a long time. If you let your followers go you will have to replace cams. If you leave a little extra stubble and keep your teeth out of the ground everything will last longer.
Skidshoes and belts are reversible to get some more life.
the teeth are staggered within each half of the head, if there is play there you will likely need the coupler that connects to the hydraulic motor
check the torque tubes that connect the cylinders to the skidshoes - if the skidshoes are not exercised regularly the can freeze up and then the tube will bend when you attempt to move the shoes
65 ga of hyd oil that should be changed occasionally, change the filter annually
check the coupler that connects the steering linkage to the spindle - if it gets loose it will wobble both out
if you replace teeth you can get "split" or "non split" - the split is in the center of the tooth under the rubber. Non split last longer but will throw a rock forward occasionally, I would choose the non split and try to run them above the ground.
oxbo sells an O ring kit - if you own a merger buy the kit as the Napa ones won't be quite right
2012 and later had independent conveyor stop which is nice - great machines overall - the will cover 1000s and 1000s of acres if taken care of
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Hay merger
