{"id":925,"date":"2026-05-18T06:51:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T06:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/?p=925"},"modified":"2026-05-18T06:51:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T06:51:05","slug":"round-baler-pre-season-setup-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/round-baler-pre-season-setup-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Round Baler Pre-Season Setup: Inspection and Calibration Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/div>\n
Pre-Season Readiness Guide<\/span><\/p>\n

Round Baler Pre-Season Setup: Inspection and Calibration Guide<\/h1>\n

The four weeks before first cutting are the only time you can inspect, measure, and repair the baler without production pressure \u2014 without a cut field drying in the sun and a weather window narrowing. Every hour spent on pre-season inspection in March or April saves 3\u20135 hours of emergency field repair in June or July. This guide gives you a systematic, zone-by-zone inspection sequence and the specific measurements and calibration steps that confirm the baler is ready for a full commercial season.<\/p>\n

Start Inspection Sequence<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Pre-Season Inspection Logic: Zones Before Systems<\/h2>\n

Most pre-season checklists organize by component category \u2014 “belts,” “chains,” “bearings.” This works well for someone who knows the baler intimately. For a systematic, reliable inspection that doesn’t miss anything, organizing by physical zone is more effective: you move through the baler from front to rear and from ground up, inspecting every component in each zone before moving to the next. Nothing is skipped because you forgot to mentally switch systems.<\/p>\n

The ten zones of a round baler’s pre-season inspection: (1) PTO and driveline, (2) pickup system, (3) crop intake and feeder, (4) belt system, (5) drive chains and sprockets, (6) bale chamber rollers and bearings, (7) tailgate and hinge system, (8) net wrap or twine system, (9) electrical and hydraulic, (10) first-bale field test. Each zone has specific measurements, visual checks, and go\/no-go criteria. The inspection result for each zone is recorded so year-over-year trends in wear rates are visible.<\/p>\n

\n
Zone 1
\nPTO \/ Driveline<\/div>\n
Zone 2
\nPickup<\/div>\n
Zone 3
\nIntake \/ Feed<\/div>\n
Zone 4
\nSistema de correas<\/div>\n
Zone 5
\nChains<\/div>\n
Zone 6
\nRollers \/ Bearings<\/div>\n
Zone 7
\nTailgate<\/div>\n
Zone 8
\nWrap System<\/div>\n
Zone 9
\nElectrical \/ Hydraulic<\/div>\n
Zone 10
\nField Test<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Zone 1: PTO Shaft and Driveline \u2014 The Safety and Function Check<\/h2>\n

\"round<\/p>\n

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SAFETY FIRST<\/div>\n

All PTO and driveline inspection must be performed with the tractor engine off and the PTO fully disengaged. Never inspect, adjust, or clean near rotating PTO components. Confirm the PTO is disengaged and engine is off before touching any driveline component.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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PTO guard condition<\/div>\n
Inspect the plastic guard tube for cracks, missing sections, or guard-to-baler clearance problems. A cracked or missing PTO guard is a serious entanglement hazard \u2014 replace before any operation. Confirm both ends of the guard rotate freely relative to the shaft without contacting stationary components.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Universal joint wear<\/div>\n
With the shaft disconnected from the tractor, grasp each end of the driveline shaft and attempt to rotate in opposite directions \u2014 any roughness, binding, or angular play in the u-joint feels like a “notchy” rotation. Compare u-joint feel at both ends of the shaft; they should feel identical. Replace both u-joints if either shows roughness \u2014 uneven wear between u-joints indicates misalignment that accelerates failure.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Telescoping section<\/div>\n
Extend and retract the telescoping section of the PTO shaft through its full travel range. It should slide smoothly without binding. Apply grease to the spline before the season if not done at storage. Check that the shaft has sufficient telescoping travel to accommodate the full draft angle range during field operation \u2014 measure at the headland position where the tractor turns sharpest.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Overrunning clutch<\/div>\n
Rotate the driveline input in the drive direction \u2014 it should turn freely. Rotate in the reverse direction \u2014 the overrunning clutch should lock (resist rotation). A worn overrunning clutch that allows the implement to drive the tractor during PTO disengagement creates significant driveline shock loads. Service per manufacturer interval or annually \u2014 they are frequently under-maintained.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Zones 2\u20133: Pickup and Crop Intake \u2014 Tine and Stripper Check<\/h2>\n

The pickup is the highest-dust, highest-impact zone on the baler \u2014 tines contact both crop material and occasional soil, making them the fastest-wearing component. Pre-season pickup inspection should take no longer than 10\u201315 minutes but will prevent the per-pass field losses that accumulate invisibly throughout the season when tines are borderline short or bent.<\/p>\n

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Tine measurement and replacement decision<\/div>\n

Compare each tine to a new tine of the same part number \u2014 replace tines more than 20% shorter than new length. Inspect every tine in the array for bends greater than 10\u00b0 from the design angle. Replace all tines on any row where 2 or more tines are below replacement length \u2014 spot-replacing in a row produces uneven pickup height. Record the tine condition grade for each row (Good\/Replace Soon\/Replace Now) for year-over-year wear rate comparison.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Stripper finger gap check<\/div>\n

With the pickup stationary, insert a straightedge between each stripper finger and its adjacent tine path \u2014 the gap should be 3\u20138mm at the closest point. Worn stripper fingers that have shortened beyond 60% of original length allow the gap to open beyond 12mm, enabling crop wrap-around. Replace any stripper finger below 60% original length before the season begins. A complete stripper replacement is a 30-minute job in the shop; it is a 90-minute job in a muddy field with a windrow waiting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Skid shoe height and wear<\/div>\n

Measure skid shoe thickness and compare to original (from the operator manual dimension table). A shoe worn more than 3mm below original thickness should be repositioned at the top of its adjustment range and monitored closely for the first cutting. Shoes worn to 60% of original thickness should be replaced \u2014 the remaining adjustment range will run out mid-season if not replaced at the pre-season inspection. Document the current shoe height adjustment setting as the baseline for in-season comparison.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Zone 4: Belt System \u2014 Elongation Baseline and Visual Survey<\/h2>\n

\"round<\/p>\n

Pre-season belt measurement is the single highest-leverage 20-minute investment in baler readiness. A belt set measured in March and found at 1.6% elongation tells you: these belts are within spec; they elongate approximately 0.4\u20130.6% per season at your production volume; replacement will be needed next off-season. That information is unavailable without measurement and cannot be reliably estimated from appearance.<\/p>\n

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Pre-Season Belt Measurement \u2014 Recording Format<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Belt #<\/th>\nNew length (from manual)<\/th>\nThis season measured<\/th>\nElongation %<\/th>\nStatus<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Belt 1<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____%<\/td>\n\u25a1 OK \u25a1 Replace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Belt 2<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____%<\/td>\n\u25a1 OK \u25a1 Replace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Belt 3<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____%<\/td>\n\u25a1 OK \u25a1 Replace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Belt 4<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____%<\/td>\n\u25a1 OK \u25a1 Replace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Belt 5<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____ mm<\/td>\n_____%<\/td>\n\u25a1 OK \u25a1 Replace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Replace the full belt set if any single belt exceeds 2.0% elongation. Order replacements immediately if any belt is at 1.6%+ \u2014 lead time from order to delivery is typically 5\u201314 business days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Zone 5: Drive Chains, Sprockets, and Gearbox<\/h2>\n

Drive chains convert PTO rotation into the chamber roller and pickup drum rotation. Chain elongation causes two problems simultaneously: the chain can no longer maintain precise engagement with sprocket teeth (leading to skip and noise), and the chain contact geometry changes in ways that accelerate both chain and sprocket wear. Pre-season chain measurement prevents both problems from developing during the season.<\/p>\n

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Chain elongation check<\/div>\n

Measure 12 links on each chain at the most accessible flat run section. Compare to a new-chain 12-link measurement for that chain size (from the operator manual). Replace at 2% elongation. A chain measuring 12.24 inches on a 12-inch new-chain spec is 2.0% \u2014 replace. Most baler chains are standard ANSI roller chain sizes (#40, #50, #60) and are available from any agricultural or industrial chain supplier. Record and compare year-over-year to understand wear rates and anticipate next replacement timing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sprocket tooth inspection<\/div>\n

Visually inspect each drive sprocket for hooked or shark-finned tooth profiles \u2014 the characteristic wear pattern of a sprocket that has run with an elongated chain. A sharp, backward-hooked tooth profile (rather than a symmetrically rounded profile) indicates the sprocket needs replacement. Installing a new chain on hooked sprockets is a false economy \u2014 the new chain wears to elongation limit in half the expected service life on worn sprockets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Gearbox oil level and seals<\/div>\n

Check gearbox oil level through the inspection window or fill plug. Top up with the correct specification oil from the operator manual. Inspect all gearbox seal faces for oil weeping \u2014 a minor seep is often acceptable; active dripping or an oily ring around a seal indicates a seal replacement is needed before the season. A leaking gearbox seal found in March is a 1-hour repair; found mid-cutting is an unplanned day-long field repair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Zones 6\u20137: Rollers, Bearings, and Tailgate Hinge<\/h2>\n

\"commercial<\/p>\n

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Roller bearing spin test<\/div>\n
With the baler at rest (engine off), manually rotate each accessible drive roller through one full revolution by hand. The rotation should be smooth and quiet \u2014 no roughness, grinding, or catching. Any roller that requires noticeably more force to rotate than adjacent rollers, or that produces an audible roughness during rotation, has a bearing that requires inspection. Compress the bearing by pushing the roller radially while rotating \u2014 any clunk or looseness confirms bearing replacement before the season.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Bearing pre-lube procedure<\/div>\n
Every grease zerk on the baler gets one stroke of grease before the first use of the season \u2014 regardless of whether it was greased at storage. Over-winter storage allows grease in high-contact bearing zones to migrate away from the contact surface; re-lubrication before the first operation ensures full film thickness at bearing startup. Use NLGI #2 lithium-complex grease suitable for high-load agricultural applications. Count and record the total zerk count to confirm none are missed.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Tailgate hinge and latch<\/div>\n
Open and close the tailgate through 3\u20134 full cycles under hydraulic power. The gate should open fully, stay open without drifting (hydraulic holding check), and close completely with the latch engaging positively. A tailgate that does not latch fully creates a bale ejection failure and potential safety hazard \u2014 the bale can be ejected before the gate is fully open, or the gate can close partially on a partially ejected bale. Inspect hinge pins for wear and replace any pin with visible side-to-side play under load.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Zone 8: Net Wrap System \u2014 Path, Knife, and Feed Verification<\/h2>\n

The net wrap system feeds, applies, and cuts the net wrap on each bale. Pre-season verification of the complete wrap path prevents the most common mid-season wrap problems: net feeding inconsistently due to a worn or misaligned guide, net not cutting cleanly due to a dull knife, and net applying too few revolutions due to a counting sensor problem.<\/p>\n

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Wrap path dry-run test<\/div>\n

Load a roll of net wrap and activate the wrap system without a bale in the chamber (consult the operator manual for the procedure on your model). The net should feed smoothly from the roll, pass through all guide rollers without bunching, enter the chamber at the correct angle, and cut cleanly when the counter triggers. Any hesitation in feed, bunching at a guide, or failure to cut cleanly indicates which sub-component needs attention before the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Knife replacement standard<\/div>\n

Replace the net wrap knife before every season regardless of appearance \u2014 at $10\u2013$25 per knife, the cost is trivial compared to a failed cut event that jams the wrap system mid-harvest. A knife that cut cleanly at the end of last season is one season older and one season closer to a failure event. The five minutes for a knife replacement in March is the most cost-effective preventive action on the entire baler.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Revolution counter and sensor<\/div>\n

Confirm the bale revolution counter is reading correctly by marking the bale chamber and counting manually versus what the display shows during the dry-run. A sensor that is reading zero or inconsistently means the wrap will apply unpredictably \u2014 the baler may trigger the cut after too few or too many revolutions. Clean the sensor face and check the gap to the trigger target per manufacturer specification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The complete seasonal maintenance checklist \u2014 with service intervals, lubrication specifications, and the in-season check points that follow from this pre-season baseline \u2014 is in the round baler seasonal maintenance checklist<\/a>. When pre-season inspection reveals a problem whose root cause is unclear, the symptom-to-cause diagnostic guide is in the round baler troubleshooting guide<\/a>. PTO shaft and gearbox component inspection specifications are in Especificaciones de los componentes de la caja de cambios y la transmisi\u00f3n de la toma de fuerza (PTO) agr\u00edcolas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Zone 10: The First-Bale Field Test and Calibration Protocol<\/h2>\n

The first bale of the season is a calibration event, not a production bale. Make it on a small, low-value windrow section \u2014 not the best hay on the best cutting day of the year. The first bale is used to verify settings, check the bale shape and density against expectations, confirm the wrap applies correctly, and make any final adjustments before committing to full field operation.<\/p>\n

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Density check<\/div>\n

After ejecting the first bale, physically probe the bale face by pressing your fist against it \u2014 it should resist noticeably. A spongy first bale at maximum density setting indicates worn belts that need elongation measurement before continuing. Record the density reading from the monitor as the baseline for comparison through the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Shape check<\/div>\n

View the bale from behind and from the side. A properly formed bale is a true cylinder \u2014 ends equal diameter, sides plumb. An egg-shaped or D-shaped bale indicates uneven crop distribution across the belt width, most often caused by a misaligned pickup or off-center windrow tracking. Diagnose and correct before baling more than one additional bale with the same problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wrap quality check<\/div>\n

Inspect the wrap on the first bale for even coverage across the full bale circumference, correct overlap between passes, and clean cut with the trailing edge pressed flat. Any gap in coverage, irregular overlap, or ragged trailing edge requires adjustment to the wrap system before the production run begins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Pre-Season Setup FAQs<\/h2>\n
\n
\nHow long should a complete pre-season inspection take?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
A systematic 10-zone pre-season inspection by someone familiar with the baler takes 3\u20135 hours including documentation. First-time inspectors using the operator manual as a reference should plan 6\u20138 hours. The time investment is front-loaded \u2014 each subsequent season’s inspection builds on the prior year’s documented baseline and typically takes less time because problem areas are already identified and monitored. For producers who do their own maintenance, the pre-season inspection is the highest-ROI 4 hours of the year. For producers who use a dealer service, requesting a pre-season inspection (which most dealers offer) is the most efficient path to a complete systematic check. Document the results regardless of who performs the inspection \u2014 the record is the value.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nMy baler was stored outdoors over winter. Are there additional checks I should add?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Outdoor storage adds three specific risk areas. First, rodent nesting \u2014 rats and mice nest in the bale chamber, wrap system, and electrical harness runs over winter. Check all accessible zones for nesting material (hay, insulation, or chewed wiring). Inspect every electrical connector and harness segment for chewed insulation before applying power. Second, belt and rubber UV exposure \u2014 if the baler was stored without the tailgate in the closed position, belts, seals, and rubber components received months of UV and ozone exposure. Check belt surface rubber for accelerated cracking beyond normal aging. Third, moisture infiltration \u2014 outdoor-stored chain systems may have surface rust on link plates and rollers. Free any stiff links with penetrating oil and operate the chain through its full path before the season to confirm all links articulate freely. Check electronics and sensors for moisture-related corrosion at connector pins before applying power.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nI found that my belts are at 1.8% elongation in March. Should I replace them now or wait until they hit 2%?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Replace now. At 1.8% elongation in March before the season starts, belts advancing at a typical 0.4\u20130.6% per commercial season will cross the 2.0% threshold partway through the first or second cutting \u2014 during the most valuable hay production days of the year. An emergency mid-harvest replacement at the worst time costs 3\u20135\u00d7 the planned shop replacement in parts (emergency sourcing markup), time (urgent scheduling), and production (delayed baling). The 1.8% belt is past its economic mid-life point \u2014 waiting for 2.0% saves nothing, because the replacement event is happening anyway and you are merely choosing the timing. Order replacement belts immediately when you measure 1.8% or above. Lead time is typically 5\u201314 days, which fits comfortably in a March inspection window for a May first cutting.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nWhat is the minimum spare parts inventory I should have on hand before first cutting?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
For a single commercial baler, the minimum spare parts cache that prevents most production-stopping failures should include: 10\u201315 pickup tines (the part that breaks most frequently and most unpredictably from rock contact); 3\u20135 net wrap knives; 1 full wrap of net wrap beyond what you expect to use for the season (backorder delays are common); 4\u20136 shear bolts for each shear bolt location (the designed failure point that protects more expensive components \u2014 running out of shear bolts during harvest is a common and easily avoidable problem); a small container of high-quality grease; and the operator manual in the tractor cab. Beyond these minimum items, having one spare belt ready for emergency field replacement \u2014 wrapped and labeled with the baler model and belt position \u2014 is justified for operations where a belt failure mid-harvest would cause significant losses. The spare belt costs $150\u2013$350 and rarely needs to be used; the one time it is needed, it is worth 10\u00d7 its cost in recovered production.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nShould I do a pre-season inspection on a new baler purchased in its first season?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Yes \u2014 but the focus is different from an inspection on an in-service machine. For a new baler, the pre-season check should verify that factory setup and dealer prep were completed correctly. Confirm: PTO shaft guard is installed and secured; all grease points were lubricated at dealer prep (check grease condition at several accessible zerks); belt tracking is centered and tension is at the factory specification; net wrap knife is installed and functional; all hydraulic connections are tight and not weeping; and the monitor\/ISOBUS connection to the tractor is functional and reading correctly. New balers occasionally leave dealer prep with minor omissions \u2014 confirming completeness before first use prevents discovering prep oversights during first-cutting operation. Also establish the new-baler baseline measurements (belt lengths, chain lengths, bearing condition) that will serve as the comparison standard for every future season.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nIs there any adjustment I should make to the density spring setting at the start of the season?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Return the density spring to the standard factory position at the start of each season \u2014 do not carry over end-of-season adjustments that may have been made to compensate for worn belts. If the spring was adjusted tighter at the end of last season to compensate for belt elongation, and you have replaced the belts over winter, starting with the tighter spring position on new belts risks over-tensioning the new belts during their break-in period. Set to standard, make the first bale, measure the density, and adjust from the factory position as needed. Document the setting used for each crop type and moisture condition \u2014 this record makes the start of next season’s calibration faster.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"foragebaler.com<\/p>\n

Get Pre-Season Inspection Specifications for Your Baler Model<\/h3>\n

Tell us your baler model, last season’s bale count, and any performance issue from last season. We provide the specific measurement specifications and wear thresholds for your exact configuration so your pre-season inspection produces actionable decisions.<\/p>\n

Get Pre-Season Specifications<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Editor: Cxm<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pre-Season Readiness Guide Round Baler Pre-Season Setup: Inspection and Calibration Guide The four weeks before first cutting are the only time you can inspect, measure, and repair the baler without production pressure \u2014 without a cut field drying in the sun and a weather window narrowing. Every hour spent on pre-season inspection in March or […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forage-baler"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=925"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":927,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925\/revisions\/927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}