Description

New Holland 851 1982 Parts Catalog

If you’re trying to rebuild a New Holland 851 round baler without the factory Parts Catalog, you’re working blind. I’ve seen guys order a tailgate lift cylinder based on a YouTube video and end up with a part that doesn’t fit because their serial number fell below the cutoff. This 1982 Sperry New Holland issue 2 catalog—110 pages—is the only way to get the exact OEM part numbers for every assembly on this machine. No reprint nonsense, no aftermarket reinterpretation. This is the same book the dealership parts counter used in 1982.

Before you start tearing into the hydraulics or ordering belts, you need to know which serial number range your baler falls in. This catalog splits every major group by serial number—below 590920, above 590921, between certain numbers for the twine wrapper. Miss that split and you’ll be staring at a piston that’s 3/8″ too long. The table of contents alone covers 40+ groups, from the Hitch Assembly (pages 8-15) to the Numerical Parts Index (pages 102-105).

Tailgate Lift Cylinder: Page 42 and the Hydraulic System

The Cylinder Assembly, Tailgate Lift is listed on page 42, right next to the Hydraulic System group (pages 40-41). That section shows the cylinder, its mounting brackets, and the valve assembly on page 43. If you need the Twine Wrapper Cylinder, that’s page 57. Each part number is called out with a reference number and description. This is not a generic diagram—it’s the actual New Holland production drawing with the correct part numbers. I’ve used this catalog to order a tailgate cylinder for a customer’s 851, and it bolted right up. No filing, no bending.

Drive Groups and Belts: Serial Number Splits Matter

Belts, Drive covers pages 26-33, but note the sub-sections: Drive Group Below Serial No. 590920 (pages 26-29) and Drive Group Above Serial No. 590921 (pages 30-33). The belt lengths, pulley diameters, and even the counter bracket (page 26 and 30) change at that serial number break. Ordering the wrong set will leave you with a floppy apron or a belt that rubs the frame. The catalog also includes the Apron Chain Assembly (pages 48-51) and the Gathering Chain (pages 18-20). If you’re replacing the floor assembly or lower conveyor, those are on pages 18-20 too.

Twine Wrapper Kits: Four Serial Number Ranges

The twine wrapper is the most finicky system on the 851. This Parts Catalog breaks it down into six sections: Automatic Twine Wrapper Section 1 below serial number, between serial numbers, above serial number—and Section 2 with its own splits. Then there are three separate Twine Wrapper Kits: below serial 492576 (pages 60-62), between 492577 and 590920 (pages 64-66), and above serial (pages 68-70). If you grab the wrong kit, the ratchet mechanism or the hydraulic control won’t line up. Page 56 has the manual control, page 58-59 the hydraulic control. Don’t guess; check your serial plate.

Alarm and Bale Ejector: Not Aftermarket Guesswork

Full Bale Attachment (Alarm) takes pages 94-96, and Bale Ejector is on pages 98-99. These are late-model updates and the OEM part numbers are only in this catalog. Aftermarket parts suppliers often combine different years into one listing, but Sperry New Holland changed the mounting brackets and wiring harness between production runs. Page 55 covers the Decal Set—don’t skip it; safety decals are required for any baler you put back into service.

Source Validity: Factory Sperry New Holland vs. Third-Party Reprints

This PDF is a direct scan of the original Issue 2 – 82 publication, printed by Sperry New Holland, a Division of Sperry Corporation, New Holland, PA 17557. It says on page 1: “REPLACES ALL PREVIOUS ISSUES.” Every page matches the original paper manual—no watermarks, no added content, no missing pages. The Numerical Parts Index (pages 102-105) lets you cross-reference any part number quickly. I’ve compared this to a third-party reprint I saw from a competitor; the reprint had blurry illustrations and omitted the “HUG SHEAR” section (pages 8-15). Don’t waste your time on copies. Get the real factory document.

Related Manuals for the New Holland Baler Line

• Ford New Holland 853 1993 Parts Catalog
• Ford New Holland 568 1991 Parts Catalog
• Ford New Holland 1915 Tractor 1993 Parts Catalog – Section: Supplement

For broader industry context on agricultural equipment documentation standards, see Automotive Industry Overview on Wikipedia. That resource covers how OEM specifications differ from aftermarket, the same principle that makes this catalog essential.

Does this catalog include torque specifications for bolts?

No. This is a parts catalog, not a service manual. It lists part numbers and assembly breakdowns only. For torque specs you need the service manual [LINK_ID_REL_0].

How do I find the part number for a tailgate cylinder on an 851 baler built in 1983 with serial number above 590921?

Turn to page 42 in the catalog. That page shows the Cylinder Assembly, Tailgate Lift. The part number is the same across all serial ranges for the cylinder itself—the mounting bracket changes, but the cylinder part number is listed with the hydraulic group. However, if your baler has the optional twine wrapper, the Twine Wrapper Cylinder is on page 57 and that part does vary by serial number. So check your serial plate first, then look at the Drive Group pages (30-33) to see if your baler falls into the above-590921 range. The catalog is organized by serial number splits for most assemblies, but the tailgate cylinder is one of the few components that didn’t change. Still, always verify by cross-referencing the illustration with your actual baler. If you call a dealer with the part number from page 42 and your serial number, they can confirm fitment. I’ve done it a dozen times.

If you’ve got a New Holland 851 round baler in your shop, stop ordering parts by guess or by someone else’s memory. Access the Factory Manual. This is the exact document that lets you identify every bearing, belt, cylinder, and bracket by OEM number. 110 pages, indexed, serial-specific. No fluff, no reprints—just the factory data you need to get the job done right.