9YG-2.24D (S9000 Classic) Round Baler

• Grease both crossjoint bearing cups — 4 grease points total per joint
• Verify torque limiter guard is intact and unobstructed
• Check PTO shaft telescoping section slides freely without binding
• Confirm both crossjoints rotate without roughness at low speed before engaging full PTO

• Check H-type fitting connections for seeping — wipe fittings clean and inspect after first hour of daily use
• Test gate cycle speed — the cushion cylinder should produce a smooth deceleration in the last 10–15° of gate travel; jerky close indicates cushion restrictor may need adjustment
• Check hydraulic fluid level before first bale of the day

• Check tension on both left and right drive chains — they should have equal sag; unequal tension indicates a sprocket alignment issue
• Inspect heavy-duty gearbox for oil seepage around the input seal
• Verify both sides of the roller assembly turn at the same speed by observing at low PTO before field engagement
• Check torque limiter slip setting has not drifted — recalibrate if slipping under normal loads

I run a custom baling operation and the Classic is my main production unit this season. The main reason I chose the Classic over the standard S9000 was the driveline package — I work a lot of small, irregular-shaped fields in northern Illinois where headland turns are tight and I’m constantly articulating the PTO shaft at steep angles. With the old baler, I had two PTO shaft failures in three years that I attribute to operating at too sharp an angle on turns. The dual-crossjoint shaft on the Classic has been operating without any of that vibration or stiffness. I’ve put 6,800 bales on it this season across alfalfa, brome, and some wheat straw, and the driveline has been solid throughout. One area I noticed the difference immediately was in the gate cycle speed — noticeably faster than anything I’ve run before, and the cushion makes the close smooth so I don’t feel the frame shudder that you get on balers without it. Maintenance has been straightforward. I’d buy this specific model again over the standard.

We’re a dairy operation and bale quality goes directly into milk production — we can’t afford sloppy bales that don’t ferment evenly. The S9000 Classic has been producing very consistent bales in our second and third cut alfalfa at 35–42% moisture. The dual-side chamber drive in particular makes a noticeable difference in the density evenness of high-moisture bales — we’ve cut bales open side by side against the belt baler we used previously and the lateral density profile is measurably more uniform. Our nutritionist commented on the improvement in fermentation quality this season and I believe the bale consistency plays into that. One thing to know: the torque limiter is calibrated for heavier loads than light dry hay. In very thin, light windrows of first-cut it occasionally trips unnecessarily in our conditions. A dealer tech adjusted the friction setting and that resolved it. Four stars rather than five only because we needed that adjustment made.

Wheat straw baling is hard on drivelines — the material comes in fast and light, then suddenly you hit a thick patch and the load spikes. The torque limiter on the Classic handled that variability well; I had zero driveline issues across the whole wheat season. Sorghum-sudan was also clean — the axial-flow intake moves it without the wrapping issues I had on a different machine. The dual-side rear drive gives a noticeably firmer bale feel; these bales come out tight and hold their shape during handling with the spike. I’m at four stars because the machine is heavier than I expected, which costs me a bit of fuel running it behind a 110 HP tractor on the transport end. Not a dealbreaker — just worth knowing if your tractor is on the smaller end of the compatible range.

I specifically wanted the torque limiter for corn stover work. Stover pickup is unpredictable — you get stretches of clean open material then suddenly hit a dense clump where the combine left a pile. Previous balers cost me a gearbox in those conditions. The limiter on the Classic has tripped three times in 4,200 bales of stover — each time it reset in under a minute and I continued without damage. That alone paid for the price difference over the standard model. The cereal rye cover crop work in spring has also been clean — the axial-flow feed handles the tangled, compressed mat of rye that comes off the roller better than the belt-type machine I used last year. I’d specifically recommend the Classic over the standard S9000 for any operation that’s baling stover or heavy cover crops regularly.

My honest assessment: the Classic’s engineering upgrades are real and the build quality is solid, but this machine may be more baler than some operations need. I’m primarily baling native grass and brome in relatively light windrows. For that application, the dual-side drive and torque limiter add weight and complexity that don’t pay off in my specific use case — I’d probably be just as well served by the standard S9000 at lower cost. Where I’ve genuinely benefited is the gate cycle speed, which is faster than any baler I’ve used before, and the hydraulic circuit hasn’t given me any trouble. The parts lead time from overseas is also a real consideration for any US operator — I’d recommend keeping a basic wear parts kit on hand before the season starts. Three stars reflects that it’s a capable machine that may be over-engineered for light-duty hay operations, not a quality complaint.

What does a dual crossjoint driveshaft actually do differently from a standard PTO shaft?

A standard PTO shaft has one universal joint at each end. When the shaft operates at an angle — as it does during headland turns — a single universal joint produces what’s called a velocity cycle: the output side of the joint speeds up and slows down twice per revolution relative to the input side. This creates torsional vibration that fatigues bearings and shafts over time. A dual crossjoint places two joints close together, 180° apart in phasing. The velocity variation from the first joint is cancelled by the equal and opposite variation from the second, producing near-constant-velocity output even at steep operating angles. The practical benefit is reduced vibration and longer driveline component life in operations that involve frequent tight turns.

How is the torque limiter set, and can I adjust it in the field?

The torque limiter ships from the factory pre-set to a default slip threshold calibrated for typical mid-weight hay and straw loads. If you’re consistently operating in light, dry material (thin native grass windrows, light straw), the factory setting may trip unnecessarily — you’ll hear the limiter ratchet and the PTO slip briefly. In this case, the friction setting can be increased by a qualified mechanic by tightening the limiter’s spring-load adjustment. Conversely, for very heavy-load applications like dense silage or thick corn stover, the factory setting is generally appropriate. Full adjustment guidance is in the operator manual. We recommend having any limiter adjustments done by an experienced technician the first time rather than guessing at the setting in the field.

Is the S9000 Classic compatible with 540 PTO tractors?

No — the Classic, like all S9000 variants, requires 720 RPM PTO input. If your tractor provides only 540 RPM, a speed-increasing adapter gearbox would be needed. Alternatively, the 9YG-1.25A model accepts 540–1000 RPM and may be a better fit. Contact us before ordering if you’re unsure about your tractor’s PTO configuration.

Does the Classic produce larger or denser bales than the standard S9000?

Bale size is fixed by the chamber dimensions — Φ1,300 × 1,400 mm on both models — so maximum bale size is identical. The Classic’s dual-side sprocket drive does contribute to more uniform lateral density distribution within each bale, which can result in slightly better bale-to-bale consistency in weight. But it does not change the maximum density achievable, which is determined by chamber geometry and sensor setpoint and is 100–200 kg/m³ on both variants.

What’s the service interval for the dual-side sprocket drive?

Inspect chain tension on both sides every 50 operating hours. Lubricate the chain at the same interval with a chain-compatible oil or spray. Because load is shared between two sides, the rate of chain stretch is roughly half that of a single-side drive — in practice, many operators report replacing the drive chain set on the Classic at about twice the interval compared to their previous single-side machines. That said, check tension regularly rather than relying on mileage estimates, as conditions vary significantly by crop type and throughput rate.

How long does it take to get spare parts to the US?

Standard in-stock parts ship from Brazil Ever-Power Farm Balers Co., Ltd’s warehouse and typically reach US customers in 10–18 business days via standard international freight. For operations running the baler during peak season, we strongly recommend ordering a pre-season spare parts kit that includes pickup tines, roller bearings, both drive chains, and a crossjoint bearing kit. Having these on hand eliminates the possibility of a multi-week downtime during the critical baling window.

Can the Classic run baleage without a separate wrapper?

The Classic produces net-wrapped round bales and ejects them on the ground. For baleage (fermented wrapped bales), you would need to follow the baler with a separate round bale wrapper to apply the stretch film immediately after ejection. If you need an integrated bale-and-wrap machine, the 9YCM-850 Baler Wrapper Combination produces bales and wraps them in a single machine pass. For most baleage operations, a towed wrapper used immediately behind the baler is the standard approach and keeps equipment cost lower.

Is the Classic the right choice if I’m coming from a John Deere or New Holland baler?

Operators switching from major OEM brands should be aware of two main differences. First, parts availability: unlike OEM machines where dealer networks stock common wear parts locally, Classic wear parts come from the manufacturer internationally — plan for longer lead times on anything beyond what you stock on-hand. Second, the fixed-chamber roller design produces bales with a different surface texture than belt-type OEM machines — the bale surface is more corrugated and the ends are more defined. Many livestock operators actually prefer this for stability during transport and storage, but it is a visible difference worth knowing about. On the positive side, operator learning curve is low: the sensor-control system and net wrap automation work similarly to most OEM systems, and any experienced baler operator will be productive within one session.