IBEX TX31 User manual

Operator’s Manual
Model: IBEX TX31 Mini Round Baler
ibexequipment.com
833-888-IBEX

Contents
1Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Conditions of Use .............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Machine Description .........................................................................................................................1
1.2.1 Pickup Lift Lever and Lock Arm ................................................................................................1
1.2.2 Pickup Lower Limit Chain .........................................................................................................1
1.2.3Shear Bolt..................................................................................................................................2
1.2.4 Pickup Drive Chain....................................................................................................................2
1.2.5 Bale Chamber ...........................................................................................................................2
1.2.6 Drive Chains..............................................................................................................................2
1.2.7 Hydraulic Power Pack...............................................................................................................2
1.2.8 Bale Density Control .................................................................................................................2
1.2.9 Full Bale Chamber Alarm..........................................................................................................2
1.2.10 Net Wrap Activation Lever ........................................................................................................2
1.2.11 Net Advancement Pulley, Brake, & Belt ...................................................................................2
1.2.12 Net Roll Tensioner and Tension Springs..................................................................................2
1.2.13 Bale Ejection .............................................................................................................................3
2Operator Safety ........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Tractor Operation Safety ..................................................................................................................6
2.2 Implement Operation Safety.............................................................................................................6
3Tractor Connection...................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Thread the Net..................................................................................................................................7
3.2 Connect the Baler to the Three-Point Hitch......................................................................................9
3.3 Connect the PTO Shaft.....................................................................................................................9
3.4 Attach the Gate Lift Pull Rope and Net Pull Rope............................................................................9
3.5 Check Full Bale Chamber Alarm ....................................................................................................10
4Operation................................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Operational Adjustments ................................................................................................................11
4.1.1 Adjusting Net Roll Tension......................................................................................................11
4.1.2 Adjusting Pickup Height ..........................................................................................................12
4.1.3Adjusting Number of Wraps per Bale .....................................................................................12
4.1.4 Adjusting Bale Density ............................................................................................................13
4.1.5 Adjusting Tailgate Closing Speed...........................................................................................13
4.2 Operation Procedure ......................................................................................................................14
4.2.1 Initial Setup..............................................................................................................................14
4.2.2 Baling ......................................................................................................................................14
4.2.3 Recommendations for Good Results......................................................................................15
4.2.4 Finishing Work ........................................................................................................................15
5Maintenance...........................................................................................................................................16

5.1 Maintenance Safety ........................................................................................................................16
5.2 Maintenance Schedule ...................................................................................................................16
5.3 Routine Maintenance......................................................................................................................17
5.3.1 Pre-Work Lubrication ..............................................................................................................17
5.3.2 Roller Chain Tension...............................................................................................................17
5.3.3 Pickup Slip Clutch Tension .....................................................................................................18
5.3.4 Pickup Suspension..................................................................................................................19
5.4 End of Season Storage...................................................................................................................20
5.5 Beginning of Season.......................................................................................................................20

Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual 1
1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Ibex TX31 mini round baler with net wrap. Your machine, if
properly operated and maintained, will provide many years of productive use. The purpose of this manual
is to help you do this by describing proper safety, operation, and maintenance procedures. Do not attempt
to use the machine without thoroughly understanding the information contained in this manual. Contact
your Ibex dealer for assistance if any information described herein is not completely clear.
NOTE: All references made in this manual to right, left, front, rear, top and bottom is as viewed
facing the direction of forward travel with implement properly attached to tractor.
1.1 Conditions of Use
Your Ibex TX31 baler is designed to gather, compress, and bind crop materials such as hay, straw, and
pine straw, into easy to handle round bales. The machine performs best under certain conditions. Use of
the machine outside of those conditions could result in poor performance or damage to the machine.
The machine is designed to…
…work with tractors with 18 – 45 engine horsepower. Using this machine with a tractor that is outside
of the specified power range may result in damage or premature wear of the machine and/or sub-optimal
machine function.
…bale crop that is of optimal length. Crop material should not be excessively short (< 12”) or
excessively long (> 48”).
…bale hay that contains optimal moisture content. Hay should not exceed 20% moisture content.
…bale silage that contains optimal moisture content. Silage should contain between 50% and 60%
moisture content.
…work in a dry field. Do not attempt to use the machine immediately after rain or in a muddy field.
…be operated while exercising the safety instructions detailed in the “Operator Safety” section of
this manual.
1.2 Machine Description
1.2.1 Pickup Lift Lever and Lock Arm
The pickup is held in the raised position during transport using the lift lever (Figure 1, A) and is held in
place using the lock arm (B).
1.2.2 Pickup Lower Limit Chain
The lower limit chain (Figure 2, A) sets the minimum height of the pickup tines from the ground.

2 Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual
1.2.3 Shear Bolt
The shear bolt (Figure 3, A) breaks to prevent damage to the machine in overload conditions. A set of
spare shear bolts are included with the machine (Figure 4).
1.2.4 Pickup Drive Chain
The pickup drive chain (Figure 5, A) transfers power to turn the pickup. The friction clutch (B) slips in
overload conditions to prevent damage to the pickup. Chain tension is controlled by the idler (C).
1.2.5 Bale Chamber
The bale chamber consists of multiple rollers that turn the bale and form it into a fixed-size cylindrical
shape (Figure 6).
1.2.6 Drive Chains
The baler’s rollers are turned by a series of drive chains (Figure 7, A). Tension springs (B) provide proper
tension to each chain. See Section 5.3.1 for chain tension specifications.
1.2.7 Hydraulic Power Pack
The baler raises the tailgate to eject the bale using a hydraulic cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is pushed into the
cylinder by the hydraulic power pack (Figure 8, A), which is powered by the rotating motion of the PTO
shaft which turns the roller chain (B).
1.2.8 Bale Density Control
The density sensor (Figure 9, A) can be positioned closer or further from the trigger (B) to vary bale
density. See Section 4.1.4 for details.
1.2.9 Full Bale Chamber Alarm
The full chamber horn (Figure 10, A) sounds when the bale chamber is full. It is powered by a 9V battery
(B).
1.2.10 Net Wrap Activation Lever
The net wrap activation lever (Figure 11, A) is used to initiate the process of wrapping the bale. See
Section 4.2.2, Baling, for details.
1.2.11 Net Advancement Pulley, Brake, & Belt
When beginning the bale wrapping process, the brake (Figure 12, A) is released from the belt (B), and the
pulley (C) turns the roller (D) that advances the net. More detail on the wrapping process is found in
Section 4.2.2, Baling.
1.2.12 Net Roll Tensioner and Tension Springs
The net roll tensioner (Figure 13, A) provides necessary force to keep the net roll in place and improve net
wrapping and cutting performance. See Section 4.1.1 for detail on adjustment of tension springs (B).

Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual 3
1.2.13 Bale Ejection
The bale is discharged from the chamber by lifting the tailgate (Figure 14, A). Pulling the tailgate lift lever
(B) activates the hydraulic power unit (Figure 8, A) to retract the cylinder (Figure 14, C) to pull the gate
open. The gate remains open while the lever is pulled. Once the lever is released, the gate closes. The
bale ejector (Figure 15, A) rolls the finished bale far enough from the machine to allow the gate to close.
Figure 1 Top left side of baler Figure 2 Front left side of baler
Figure 3 Left side of baler
Figure 4 Left side of baler

4 Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual
Figure 5 Left side of baler
Figure 6 Rollers
Figure 7 Left side of baler
Figure 8 Right side of baler
Figure 9 Right side of baler
Figure 10 Top right side of baler

Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual 5
Figure 11 Top right side of baler
Figure 12 Top left side of baler
Figure 13 Front of baler
Figure 14
Figure 15 Rear of baler

6 Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap - Operator’s Manual
2 Operator Safety
Your safety is important to us. Please carefully read and follow the instructions given below and contained
elsewhere in this manual before attempting to operate the machine. Most accidents can be avoided if you
fully understand and implement the safety practices discussed in this section.
WARNING: READ and UNDERSTAND all safety instructions in this section as well as
warnings, cautions, and important notes throughout the manual. Serious injury or death may
occur unless care is taken to follow these warnings.
2.1 Tractor Operation Safety
•READ and UNDERSTAND all safety instructions and warnings in the operator’s manual for your tractor.
•Understand how to stop forward motion, the engine, and the PTO of your tractor quickly in case of an
emergency.
•Do not allow an inexperienced person to operate the tractor or any attachments without supervision.
•Wear proper safety gear at all times.
•Do not operate the tractor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consult a medical professional
regarding any prescription medications that you are currently taking and any side effects that could
hinder your ability to operate the tractor safely.
•Only operate a tractor that has been properly maintained.
•Only operate the tractor in conditions of clear visibility. Never operate in dark or foggy conditions where
visibility is restricted in front and to the sides of the tractor and implement. Ensure that all obstacles,
steep slopes in the terrain, and overhead obstructions are visible.
•The tractor must be equipped with a rollover protection system (ROPS) and seatbelts to ensure operator
safety in case of a rollover incident.
•Always set the parking brake and/or set the tractor transmission in parking gear, disengage the PTO,
stop the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the tractor seat.
•Do not operate the tractor or implement while hydraulic oil or fuel is leaking. Oil and fuel are explosive,
and their presence could present a hazard. Hydraulic lines are under extreme pressure and, if a break
occurs, bursting oil could cause skin injury and/or tissue damage. Turn off the engine and relieve
hydraulic pressure before checking for leaks.
2.2 Implement Operation Safety
•Keep body parts, clothing, jewelry, and anything else that is tethered to the body away from moving
parts on the baler to prevent entanglement, which could result in serious injury or death.
•Use extreme caution when performing repairs, maintenance, and when removing accumulated material.
•Use care to avoid striking solid objects such as fencing or sign posts. The impact could cause loss of
control of the tractor and implement, which could be hazardous.
•The baler must not be modified or altered, particularly with respect to the components that make up the
machine’s primary function.