How to Choose Between MF 1840 and 1842S Small Square Balers?
Picking the right hay baler comes down to how much hay you have and the type of tractor you have to pull it. Massey Ferguson 1840 and 1842S square balers supplied by B&B Machinery are famous for being “centreline” balers. Which means the hay goes straight through the machine as it moves forward. Farmers find this working system productive as it’s easier to drive along while baler produces consistent, square bales behind.
But both the machines only look similar while having different workload capacities. We will break down those differences in this blog.
This will help you decide which small square baler suits your farming needs.
-
Comparing Overall Output and Capacity
The biggest difference is how much hay the machine can handle in an hour.
The MF 1840 is the standard model. It is perfect for farmers who bale their own hay or commercial jobs. It is reliable, easy to maintain, and produces a high-quality bale. It has been a top seller for years because it just works.
If you are a contractor or have a massive amount of hay to get through, you might find the 1840 limits your speed.
The 1842S is a "super" version of the 1840. It is built much heavier and is designed to run about 20% faster. It is a super heavy-duty choice for people who make thousands of bales every season.
-
The Intake and Feeding System
The hay goes in the hay gear through its mouth, which also determines the size of windrow it can swallow.
The MF 1840 has a standard intake that works well with average windrows. It uses 4 tines forks to push the hay into the bale chamber. This is fine for most grass and similar easy to manage crops.
The 1842S is different because it has a much wider feeding chute. You can bale heavy straws left behind by large combine harvesters. The 1842S has an intake that is nearly twice as wide at the opening. This machine can grab large clumps of hay and pull them in smoothly. You won't have to spend as much time clearing clogs if your windrows are bulky or uneven.
-
Flywheel Weight and Bale Density
The weight of the flywheel acts like a battery for the baler’s power. The 1840 has a lighter flywheel, which is easier for smaller tractors to start and run. It still produces a very tight bale, but it has its limits if you want extremely heavy bales for transport.
The 1842S has a large hi-inertia flywheel and a slightly longer plunger stroke. This extra weight creates more "punch" every time the plunger hits the hay. You can make dense bales very easily. These bales won’t lose their shape when stacked or transported.
-
Tractor Power Requirements
Before you choose, you need to look at what is sitting in your shed. The MF 1840 is a great match for tractors in the 50-horsepower range. It doesn't take a lot of grunts to keep it spinning, which saves you money on fuel and wear on your tractor.
The 1842S is a bigger beast. You really need at least 80 or 90 horsepower to get the most out of it as 50hp is the minimum range for the tractor. So, if you have a large tractor already, why not give this beast a chance?
Finding the Best Fit for Your Paddock
Choosing between these two comes down to your specific business needs. The MF 1840 is the go-to for reliability and ease of use on most Australian farms. However, if you want a baler with high performance guaranteed from lower fuel consumption and downtime, the 1842S is the heavy-duty solution you need.
Both are excellent examples of Massey Ferguson hay machinery, but they serve different scales of operation.
Want to know more? Give B&B Machinery team a call and discuss your specific requirements so you put your time and money at the right place.