need help with NH 268 baler

Just bought my first baler just to do a few bales for my goats and sheep actually got it in on a deal with a herd of goats. Anyhow the story goes the previous owner bent the rod to the twine fingers. Bought a new rod timed everything baled 20 bales and bent it again. He gave me a new rod with it I haven't installed yet. I got the manual with the baler. What I'm asking is what would cause the rod to bend and how do I keep it from bending again once I install the new one? I've attached a pictures of the rod. Any help would be appreciated. Also I have access to a 273 new holland with broken needles. Could we take the whole knotter assembly off of it and put on the 268 or put the needles off the 268 on the 273? We just need one of the balers to bale.

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need help with NH 268 baler