Keeping your McCormick International B-47 in factory condition requires exact specifications, from the knotter and twister assemblies to the transmission, plunger, and pickup drives. This 146-page service manual (OEM #SM-23) delivers exploded views that pull apart every component, alongside removal, dismantling, inspection, and assembly procedures. Fault-tracing coverage includes a 3-page overhaul checklist (note: a referenced 'FAULT TRACING' chart belongs to the Operator's Manual and is not included here). Stop guessing when your knotter drops ties mid-field. The specification tables provide the exact numbers required before you turn a wrench. You will find precise torque values, like setting needle bolts to 75 ft. lbs. for twine or 140-150 ft. lbs. for wire, and holding needle clearance over the cord holder disc to 1/32"-1/16". Bookmarked by section and keyword-searchable, this PDF loads instantly on your tablet so you can take it straight to the machine.
What's Inside This Mccormick International B-47 Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| General | 5-14 | Removal & Installation, Inspection & Repair |
| Shields, Hitch, Driveshafts and Flywheel | 15-26 | Hitch & Jack (General, Removal, Dismantling, Inspection, Assembly, Installation), Power Drive Shafts (General, Assembly) |
| Transmission and Power Train | 27-38 | Main Gear Box and Crank (General, Removing the Gear Box, Dismantling the Gear Box, Cross Section of the Main Gear Box and Crank, Assembly, Pinion, Inspection & Repair, Assembling the Bevel Gear, Installation, Adjustments, Pinion Bearing Pre-Load, Pinion Mounting, Crankshaft Bearing Pre-Load, Bevel Gear Backlash) |
| Plunger and Bale Chamber | 39-50 | Plunger & Bale Chamber (General, Plunger and Pitman, Removal and Dismantling, Plunger Pitman, Crank Bearing), Plunger, Plunger Stop, Left Hand Bale Chamber Side |
| Pick-Up, Pick-Up Auger and Drives | 51-64 | Pickup |
| Axle, Cross Conveyor and Wheels | 65-70 | Axle, Axle Gussets & Cross Conveyor (General, Removal, Diagonal Brace, Cross Conveyor Sheets, Inspection & Repair, Installation, Exploded View of the Cross Conveyor) |
| Tying and Twisting Mechanism | 71-113 | Needle Mechanism - Twine (General, Removal, Needle Tie Pipe, Needle Guards, Needle Guides, Cross Section of the Bale Chamber and Needle Mechanism, Inspection, Installation, Adjustments, Needle Alignment, Needle Clearance, Needle Height) |
| Timing | 114-117 | Timing the Baler (General, Timing the Packer Fingers, Checking the Timing, Packer Fingers, Needles - Knotters - Twisters, Meshing the Combination with the Mitre Gear, Packer Finger Relief Assembly, Rear View of the Intermediate Mitre Gear, Correct Meshing of the Mitre and Combination Gear) |
| Bale Length and Density Controls | 118-146 | Bale Length & Density Controls (General, Manual, Hydraulic, Cross Section of the Hydraulic Bale Density Control, Hydraulic Control Unit, Removal, Length Control, Manual Density Control, Hydraulic Density Control, Dismantling, Dismantling the Pump Unit, Dismantling the Pump, Assembly, Inspection, Assembling the Pump Unit, Installation, Adjustments, Relief Valve Pressure, Exploded View of the Bale Length Control - Twine, Exploded View of the Bale Length Control - Wire, Exploded View of the Manual Bale Density Control, Exploded View of the Hydraulic Density Control Pump and Cylinder, Exploded View of the Hydraulic Density Control and Star Wheel) |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Needle Height (Clearance between needle base pipe and needle guides) | 3/4" ± 1/8" | p. 9 |
| Clearance of needle over cord holder disc | 1/32" - 1/16" | p. 9 |
| Twine Tension | 2 - 4 lb. | p. 9 |
| Twine tension devices pull | 3 to 4 lb. | p. 107 |
| Clearance between bill housing and trip release cam (minimum) | 1/16" | p. 9 |
| Knotter jaw cam spring - assembled length | 1-1/4" | p. 9 |
| Spring from under breastplate finger | 1 1/8 inch | p. 87 |
| Bolt Torque (1/2 inch) | 90 lbs. ft. | p. 7 |
| Baler Weight | 2,869 lbs. | p. 8 |
| Bale Cross Section | 14" x 18" | p. 8 |
| Plunger Speed (610 rpm P.T.O.) | 85 strokes per minute | p. 8 |
| Flywheel Diameter | 22" | p. 8 |
Mccormick International B-47 Common Problems This Manual Covers
McCormick International B-47 knotter skips cycles or bales won't tie after seasonal use p. 71
Check twine tension at each knotter unit; tension devices should pull 3 to 4 lb. (page 107). Inspect the breastplate finger spring, which measures 1 1/8 inch assembled (page 87). If tension is correct, confirm needle clearance is 3/4" ± 1/8" at the guides (page 9), then verify full knotter timing at page 114.
Manual Section: Tying and Twisting MechanismFrequently Asked Questions
How do I reset the knotter on a McCormick International B-47 baler?
To ensure correct knotter operation, the timing of the needles and knotters is determined by the meshing of the mitre gear with the knotter drive gear. For detailed instructions on timing, refer to Group 8, section 1c. This procedure ensures the knotter is set to its correct operational state after servicing or adjustment.
What is the correct knotter/needle timing procedure for a McCormick B-47?
The timing of the needles and knotters is determined by meshing the mitre gear with the knotter drive gear. To set this, count the eleventh tooth anti-clockwise from the mitre gear keyway, as shown in Fig. 3 on page 117, and mark this tooth with chalk or paint. This ensures the correct synchronization of the baler's components.
How do I adjust the needle brake or trip clutch on a B-47 baler?
To adjust the needle brake, assemble the brake mechanism and tighten the adjusting nut (13-14) until a pull of 20-6 lb. is required at the needle pitman end of the crank to rotate the drive shaft. For the main friction drive clutch, adjust it so that with all springs equally compressed, the spring balance records 62-1/2 - 71 lb. when the clutch slips, corresponding to a torque of 400 ± 25 ft. lb. at the P.T.O. drive shaft.
What are the common causes of missed knots on a McCormick B-47?
Common causes of missed knots include incorrect functioning of the drive shaft brakes, which can cause needles to drift into the bale chamber, leading to mis-tying. Additionally, worn or grooved wearing tips and sheaves, or needle brakes with insufficient tension (below 100 to 114 lb.), can contribute to missed knots. Worn drive pinions, grooved discs, or dull wire knives in the twister mechanism are also potential culprits.
How do I service the twine or wire knotter on a B-47 baler?
Servicing the knotter involves checking for general wear on gears and cams, inspecting the knives for condition and adjustment, and assessing the bill hook tension spring. Detailed inspection includes checking shafts and tubes for straightness, yokes for damage, and cross components for wear. Adjustments cover disc timing, knotter cam tension, knife to disc clearance, and knotter brake settings.
How quickly can I access this manual after buying?
Instant PDF download. You get the full 146-page searchable Service Manual immediately after payment. Open it on your laptop, tablet, or phone right in the shop.
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Document Quality
This is a scanned document with an OCR layer, so you can search and copy the full text. Text is mostly crisp and easy to read, though some pages exhibit minor fading or slight blur. Diagrams and illustrations are scanned images, generally clear with readable labels. Pages are mostly clean, but some have minor scan artifacts, faint lines, slight skewing, and occasional dark marks on the right edge. The document includes several blank pages, likely serving as section dividers or backs of pages.
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