The john deere 447 round baler is one of those pieces of equipment that just seems to hang around forever, and for good reason. If you're running a smaller cattle operation or just need to put up some hay for a few horses, you don't always need the biggest, flashiest, brand-new baler on the lot. Sometimes you just need something that's going to start up every morning, take the windrow, and spit out a decent 4x4 bale without giving you a headache. That's exactly where the 447 fits into the mix.
It's part of that 7-series family that Deere put out years ago, which really hit a sweet spot in terms of reliability and ease of use. While there are definitely newer models with more bells and whistles, the 447 has a bit of a cult following among folks who appreciate a machine they can actually work on themselves.
A Solid Mid-Size Machine That Just Works
When we talk about the john deere 447 round baler, we're talking about a machine designed to produce a bale that's 4 feet wide and up to 4.5 feet in diameter. For a lot of people, that 4-foot width is the "Goldilocks" size. It's easy to move around with a smaller tractor, it fits perfectly on a standard trailer if you're hauling hay down the road, and it's manageable in the barn.
The beauty of the 447 is its simplicity. It's a vertical chamber baler, which means it starts the core of the bale immediately. This helps in making those tight, dense bales that shed water well if you have to leave them out in the field for a bit. If you've ever dealt with a "soft-core" bale that turns into a mushroom the second it hits the ground, you know why a good starting chamber matters.
Why the 4x4 bale size is so popular
Most of us aren't farming thousands of acres. If you've got a 50 or 60-horsepower tractor, you might struggle with a massive 5x6 bale. The john deere 447 round baler doesn't demand a massive power plant to run. You can hook this thing up to a utility tractor and it'll hum right along. Plus, those smaller bales are just easier to handle when it comes time to feed. You don't need a massive skid steer to move them around the feed lot; a smaller spear will do the trick just fine.
Twine vs. Net Wrap: The 447 Options
One of the big things you'll run into when looking at a used 447 is the wrapping system. Back when these were being sold new, you could get them with just twine, or you could opt for the "CoverEdge" net wrap system.
If you find one with net wrap, you're probably going to be a lot happier at the end of a long day. Net wrap is just faster—plain and simple. You spend less time sitting in the seat waiting for the twine arm to move back and forth, and more time actually baling hay. However, twine-only models are out there and they're usually a bit cheaper. If you aren't in a massive rush and want to save some money on the initial purchase, a twine-only john deere 447 round baler isn't a bad way to go.
That said, the net wrap on these older Deere machines is surprisingly reliable. It isn't as finicky as some of the early systems from other brands. It stays tight, covers the edges of the bale well, and makes for a much prettier product if you're planning on selling some of your surplus hay.
Looking Under the Side Panels
If you're out looking at a used john deere 447 round baler, you've got to be a bit of a detective. These machines are tough, but they aren't immortal. The first thing I always tell people to look at is the belts.
Checking the belts and laces
The belts are the heart of this machine. You want to look for any fraying along the edges or deep cracks in the rubber. More importantly, look at the laces (the metal clips that hold the ends of the belts together). If the laces are looking thin or the pins are about to snap, that's a job you'll be doing in the field under a hot sun—which is never fun. If the belts are weathered and "alligatoring," you might be looking at a couple thousand dollars to replace the whole set, so keep that in mind when you're haggling over the price.
The pickup reel and teeth
Next, take a look at the pickup. The john deere 447 round baler has a pretty sturdy pickup, but those teeth take a beating, especially if the previous owner liked to run the header too low in rocky ground. Check for missing teeth and see if the cam tracks are worn out. If you hear a loud "clunk-clunk-clunk" when the pickup is spinning, that's a sign that the bearings or the cam followers are on their way out. It's not the end of the world to fix, but it's a greasy, tedious job.
Real-World Operation: How It Feels in the Field
Driving a tractor with a john deere 447 round baler behind it is a pretty straightforward experience. One of the things Deere got right with this series was the monitoring system. The BaleTrak monitor is pretty intuitive. It gives you those little bars that tell you if you need to steer a bit more to the left or right to fill the bale evenly.
If you've never baled hay before, that might sound like a minor thing, but it's actually huge. If you don't "weave" and fill those edges, you end up with a bale that looks like a giant marshmallow—fat in the middle and skinny on the ends. Those bales don't stack well and they fall apart easily. The 447 makes it pretty easy to get a nice, square-shouldered bale every time.
Another thing you'll notice is the "shucking" of the bale. When that gate opens and the bale rolls out, the 447 usually clears it well without needing a bale kicker, though some models have them. It's a smooth operation that doesn't feel like the machine is straining itself to death.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your 447 Spinning
I can't stress this enough: grease is cheap, steel is expensive. The john deere 447 round baler has a handful of grease zerks that really need attention every day you're in the field. Especially the bearings on the main rollers. If one of those seizes up, you're not just stopping for the day; you might be looking at a fire if things get hot enough.
Also, keep an eye on the chains. A little bit of chain lube goes a long way. You want them to have just a bit of slack but not so much that they're slapping the casings. I always keep a few spare links and a chain tool in the tractor toolbox just in case.
Lastly, blow it out! At the end of the day, take a leaf blower or an air compressor to the inside of the machine. Hay dust and chaff love to settle in the nooks and crannies around the twine arms and the net wrap rollers. Keeping it clean doesn't just prevent fires; it also keeps the moisture from sitting against the metal and causing rust during the off-season.
Is the 447 Right for Your Farm?
So, should you pull the trigger on a john deere 447 round baler? If you're looking for a reliable, no-nonsense machine that makes a 4x4 bale, it's hard to beat. It's a great "entry-level" baler for someone who is tired of paying the neighbor to bale their hay but doesn't want to spend $40,000 on a brand-new 450M.
Sure, it doesn't have a touchscreen or automatic greasers, but it has something better: a proven track record. Parts are available at pretty much every John Deere dealership in the country, and just about any old-school mechanic knows how to timed the twine arms.
In a world where everything is becoming overly complicated with sensors and software, there's something really satisfying about the mechanical simplicity of the 447. It's a workhorse, plain and simple. Treat it right, keep it greased, and it'll probably still be making bales long after the newer, "smarter" machines have been traded in for something else. If you find one that's been kept under a roof and hasn't had ten thousand bales run through it, jump on it. You won't regret it.