Finding a used 447 john deere baler in good shape is honestly one of the best moves a small-to-mid-sized cattle op can make. If you've spent any time looking at round balers, you know the market is flooded with massive machines designed to churn out 5x6 bales that require a heavy-duty loader just to nudge. But for those of us who aren't running a thousand head of cattle or don't have a 150-horsepower tractor just sitting around, the 447 is that "just right" piece of equipment.
It's part of the John Deere 7 series, which was a pretty big leap forward when it first hit the scene. Even though it's been replaced by newer models like the 448 or the 459, the 447 remains a staple in hay fields across the country. There's a reason you still see them listed on auction sites and sitting in barn lots—they were built to last, and they're simple enough that you don't need a computer science degree to fix them when something goes sideways.
Why the 4x4 Bale Size Still Makes Sense
The 447 john deere baler produces a 4-foot wide by 4-foot tall bale. Now, I know some guys think bigger is always better, but there's a real practical side to these smaller rounds. First off, they're a lot easier to handle. If you're feeding a smaller herd or maybe just have a few horses, a 4x4 bale is manageable. You can move them with a smaller tractor, and they fit perfectly in the back of a standard pickup truck if you're selling a few to a neighbor.
Another thing to consider is the weight. Depending on how tight you set the tension and the moisture of your hay, a bale from a 447 usually clocks in between 600 and 900 pounds. That's a sweet spot. It's heavy enough to stay put, but it won't bury your spear or tip your tractor if you're working on a bit of a slope. Plus, they dry out a bit better if they happen to get caught in a drizzle before you can get them under cover.
Tractor Requirements and Power
One of the biggest selling points of the 447 john deere baler is that it isn't a power hog. You can comfortably run this machine with a 55 to 65-horsepower tractor. I've seen guys run them with even less on flat ground, though you might struggle a bit when the bale gets full and you're headed uphill.
It's a 540 RPM PTO setup, which is standard for almost everything in that class. This makes it a perfect match for those older utility tractors that are still kicking around the farm. You don't need high-flow hydraulics or fancy electronics to get the job done. As long as you have one or two rear remotes (depending on your specific setup and whether you have a hydraulic tensioner), you're pretty much good to go.
The BaleTrak Monitor System
If you're lucky enough to find a 447 john deere baler with the BaleTrak or BaleTrak Pro monitor, your life is going to be a lot easier. For its era, this system was actually pretty sophisticated. It tells you when the bale is reaching its target size, helps you track how many bales you've popped out, and—most importantly—helps you "fill the corners."
Keeping the Bale Square
If you've ever seen a round bale that looks like a lopsided marshmallow, it's usually because the operator didn't weave enough to fill the sides of the chamber. The BaleTrak monitor uses bars to show you which side of the baler needs more hay. You just follow the lights, weaving slightly left or right, and you end up with a nice, uniform cylinder. It makes stacking and transporting much less of a headache.
Manual vs. Auto-Wrap
The 447 came with different wrapping options. Some are strictly twine, while others have the CoverEdge net wrap system. If you can find one with net wrap, it's a game changer for speed. You spend way less time sitting in the field waiting for the twine arm to make its rounds. However, net wrap is more expensive, and if the baler hasn't been maintained, the net wrap rollers can be a bit finicky.
Maintenance That Actually Matters
Let's talk about the real-world stuff. No machine is perfect, and a 447 john deere baler has its quirks. If you want it to last another twenty years, you've got to stay on top of the basics.
The Belts are Everything The belts on these machines take a lot of abuse. When you're looking at a used one, check the lacing. If the laces are frayed or the belt edges are curling, you're looking at a repair bill sooner rather than later. It's also worth checking the tension. If the belts are too loose, you'll get "starting" problems where the hay just won't roll in the chamber and ends up plugging the pickup.
Grease is Cheap, Parts Aren't It sounds like a cliché, but keeping the bearings greased on a 447 is the difference between a productive afternoon and a fire in the field. There are a lot of moving parts in there, and those rollers spinning at high speeds generate a lot of heat. I usually do a walk-around with the grease gun every morning before I head out. It takes ten minutes and saves a lot of grief.
Pickup Teeth The pickup on the 447 is pretty robust, but if you're working in rocky ground, you're going to lose some teeth. It's a good idea to keep a handful of spares in the toolbox. If you have too many missing teeth, you'll leave hay in the field, and nobody likes to see money left on the ground.
Common Headaches to Watch For
Even though I'm a fan of the 447 john deere baler, it's not all sunshine and roses. One thing that can get annoying is the gate latches. If they aren't adjusted right, the gate might not lock properly, leading to a bale that's "soft" or, worse, a gate that pops open mid-bale. It's usually just a matter of a simple adjustment, but it's something to keep an eye on.
Another thing is the moisture. The 447 is a "dry hay" baler by design. While John Deere did make "Silage Special" versions of some models, a standard 447 can struggle if the hay is too wet or "gummy." If you're trying to bale high-moisture hay for baleage, you really have to slow down and make sure you don't clog the throat.
Buying a Used 447 Today
If you're scanning the classifieds for a 447 john deere baler, don't just look at the paint. John Deere paint stays green for a long time, even if the guts are worn out. Look at the rollers. If they're smooth and shiny, that's fine, but if they're rusted through or have huge dents, walk away.
Check the bale counter, too. A machine with 5,000 bales on it is a completely different animal than one with 25,000. That said, a well-maintained high-count machine is often better than a low-count one that's been sitting in a fence row for a decade.
Also, ask about the monitor. If the seller doesn't have the BaleTrak monitor or says "it worked last year but the cables are missing," factor that into your price. Buying those components separately can get expensive fast.
The Verdict
At the end of the day, the 447 john deere baler is a workhorse for the average landowner or small farmer. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of a brand-new $60,000 baler, but it doesn't have the price tag either. It's reliable, the parts are still easy to find at any JD dealership, and it produces a bale that's easy to move and store.
If you find one that's been kept in a shed and greased regularly, jump on it. It'll likely keep making hay long after some of these newer, more complicated machines have been retired. There's just something satisfying about hearing that gate click shut and seeing a perfect 4x4 bale roll out the back, knowing you didn't have to break the bank to get it.