A baler (10) is disclosed. The baler (10) comprising: a frame (14); a feed system (22) coupled to the frame (14); a baling chamber (70); a gearbox (110); a crank arm (118) driven by the gearbox (110); a plunger (74) at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber (70); a connecting rod (122) extending between and coupled to both the crank arm (118) and the plunger (74), wherein the connecting rod (122) defines a connector length (162), and wherein the connecting rod (122) defines a fluid volume therein; and a hydraulic system (126) in operable communication with the connecting rod (122), the hydraulic system (126) including: a pump (290), a first feed line (298) extending between and in fluid communication with the fluid volume of the connecting rod (122) and the pump (290), and a lockout valve (306) adjustable between a first configuration in which the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the pump (290), and a second configuration in which the fluid vol
