Production years
Approximately 1988-2001 (varies; confirm by serial number)
New Holland baler ยท Approximately 1988-2001 (confirm by serial number with a dealer)
New Holland 565 Baler
The New Holland 565 is a twine-tie small square baler that makes conventional 14 by 18 inch rectangular bales. It was part of New Holland's 5-series small square lineup (565, 570, 575, 580) introduced in the late 1980s and built into the early 2000s, positioned as a mid-size "Hayliner" style machine for grass and legume hay. It earned a long-standing reputation for dependable knotters and steady, everyday reliability on small to mid-size hay operations. Exact figures below reflect commonly cited values and should be confirmed against the operator manual or a New Holland dealer for a specific serial number.
Baler type
Small square (rectangular) baler, PTO-driven
Bale size
14 x 18 in cross-section; adjustable length (roughly 12 to 52 in)
Power required
About 35 PTO hp minimum commonly cited; more helps in heavy or tough hay
New Holland 565 specifications
| Production years | Approximately 1988-2001 (varies; confirm by serial number) |
|---|---|
| Baler type | Small square (rectangular) baler, PTO-driven |
| Bale size | 14 x 18 in cross-section; adjustable length (roughly 12 to 52 in) |
| Pickup width | About 60 to 65 in (roughly 1.5 to 1.65 m); commonly cited, confirm by unit |
| Power required | About 35 PTO hp minimum commonly cited; more helps in heavy or tough hay |
| Weight | Approximately 2,650 to 2,900 lb depending on configuration |
| Tying | Twine tie with two knotters (wire-tie was an option on some 5-series units) |
| Plunger speed | About 70 to 80 strokes per minute (commonly cited); confirm with manual |
What the 565 is used for
The 565 was designed to bale dry grass and legume hay, such as timothy, orchardgrass, alfalfa, and mixed grass hay, into handy 14 by 18 inch bales sized for manual handling, stacking, and small-square hay markets. It suits small to mid-size operations that feed livestock or sell hay by the bale, matching well to compact and utility tractors thanks to its modest power requirement.
Today owners value the 565 as an affordable, serviceable used baler for hobby farms, horse hay, and small cattle operations. Many are still working after decades of service, and buyers often seek them out for the simple, well-understood New Holland knotter system and the ease of finding parts and knowledgeable local support.
Why the New Holland 565 stands out
The 565 is notable mainly for reliability and support rather than raw capacity. It uses New Holland's well-proven twine knotter design, which many operators consider among the more dependable and easy to troubleshoot in small square balers, and its mechanical simplicity makes routine maintenance approachable. Because the 5-series sold in large numbers over a long production run, wear parts, knotter components, and used units remain widely available, which supports both practical ownership and steady resale interest. It is best thought of as a dependable mid-size workhorse for consistent small-square hay rather than a high-throughput machine.
Buying a used New Holland 565
When inspecting a used 565, start at the knotters: turn the flywheel by hand through a cycle and check for worn or bent needles, correct twine tension, clean twine discs and knife, and proper knotter timing, since mistied or missed knots are the most common complaint on any small square baler. Examine the pickup for missing, bent, or worn teeth and check pickup and plunger bearings for play or noise. Inspect the plunger knives and shear bolt setup, the main driveline and PTO slip clutch or shear protection, and the flywheel brake. Look over chains, sprockets, and the twine box, and confirm the bale length and density adjustments work. If possible, run it in the field and watch that it forms square, well-tied bales consistently. Have the seller demonstrate a full bale cycle, and budget for twine, needles, and knotter parts as normal wear items; confirm any uncertain specification against the operator manual or a dealer.
New Holland 565 frequently asked questions
What size bales does the New Holland 565 make?
It makes conventional small square bales with a 14 by 18 inch cross-section, and the bale length is adjustable (commonly around 12 to 52 inches). Confirm the length range and density settings on the specific machine.
How much tractor PTO horsepower do I need for a 565?
About 35 PTO horsepower is the commonly cited minimum, which makes it a good match for compact and utility tractors. More power helps in heavy, tough, or high-volume conditions; verify the requirement in the operator manual for your setup.
Is the New Holland 565 a good baler, and what should I watch for?
It has a solid reputation as a dependable mid-size small square baler with good parts availability. The most common issues are knotter or tying problems (needles, twine tension, timing) and normal wear on pickup teeth, bearings, and driveline components, so inspect and service those areas first.
Specifications are commonly cited figures for general reference; exact figures vary by year and serial number, so confirm against TractorData.com and the machine's records. Values and prices of used balers vary by condition, use, and region. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.