560Dennis wrote: nos , least expensive

Dennis, I think that would be hard to harness in a tractor pull! If you 'hit the button' early it would probably blow up before the end. If you waited until close to the end, probably just spin-out in spectacular fashion.

I had them make a set of pistons for one of my V8 Mack engines and they look almost duplicates of the originals. Only second machining operations I needed was to open up the pin bores as they could only do 2.00" where I needed 2.250" if memory serves. My uncle did that operation and fitted the new pins.  

They make big windrows and run the baler near it's capacity. He says they can easily bale 2500 bales per day. 

I assume you are talking about a Round baler?

Are you able to run regular gas with the flat top pistons?

The reason I asked was I have heard some of the guys saying that they were getting compression ratios of 12:1 with flat top pistons and some had to run aviation fuel.

If I were wanting to run a round baler, the best modification I'd do to my D17's engine, is to get a Two-Twenty with a cab and AC.

Why?

The D17 is a fantastic tractor for raking hay, and making square bales.  In my Grandfather's words, it was the 'finest hay-making tractor ever built'... and I agree, for the probably millions of square bales we put up...  and that was the mainstay production system, until the Hesston square-baler showed up.

Grandpa ran some round bales with the D17, but it wasn't the tractor's engine that was the greatest need, it was environmental comfort and safety.  Running the big roundie was absolutely impossible if the breeze came at you from any direction other than directly in your face.

I would not recommend an engine build investment on a D17 simply to run a round baler... I'd get a higher-power tractor with cab and AC... because there's a whole lot more to being effective and comfortable making round bales, than just compression ratio and fuel octane and PTO horsepower.

IF you have to build an engine's output up to make enough power for an agricultural load application, there's more significant problems waiting in the field that will stop your production when you're in the most operational peril.

cwsac.1 wrote: Cool very good thanks. Just curiosity how do you have all this crap memorized where you tractor, mechanics or something dr?

He's been doing this a LOOOOOONG time...

The more economically sensible option, then, is to buy round bales... and either pay a little to have them delivered, or borrow a bale mover.

I'm neither an equestrian enthusiast nor a cattleman, but I've been just-entwined-enough in both to get the picture...  For just one horse, you'd get much better quality, and lower waste with hand fed squares.

The other option, if you REALLY want to bale, and particularly if you're looking for an outlet for historical enthusiasm, is to look for an Allis Roto-Baler.  It'll run nicely behind a WD-and-up.  They made a cool loader to pick 'em up, too.

Putting cubic money into an engine may bring up PTO horsepower, it doesn't address any other issues that a large round baler's operation includes.

  Even with a cab tractor while round baling I would turn out of the windrow to face the wind.   Takes more time, yep, could not stand all that dust and debris getting in every nook and cranny.