6 Important Factors to Consider Before Buying a Round Hay Baler

6 Important Factors to Consider Before Buying a Round Hay Baler

There are several important factors to consider before purchasing a round baler.

Horsepower: If you already own a tractor, be sure to choose a baler model that the tractor can handle. If you are purchasing a baler first, keep the horsepower requirements in mind when pairing it with a tractor. PTO horsepower requirements for round balers range from 30 hp to 120 hp.

Bale Sizes: Balers are available in a variety of different bale sizes. Balers can be fixed chambers, variable chambers or a combination thereof. Fixed chamber balers feed crops into a circular baling chamber, which consists of a series of frame-mounted rollers that are individually driven by heavy-duty chains. Variable chamber balers are belt driven and can be expanded to form different sized bales.

Hay Type: The type of feed being harvested (hay or bales) should also be considered when selecting a baler. When baling, make sure the baler you choose can handle such a wet and heavy crop. Silage balers typically have heavier bearings and scrapers to remove sticky debris from moving parts.

Packaging: Packaging selection is also an important part of successfully storing harvested feed. Typically, four types of wraps are used: sisal wire, plastic wire, mesh wrap, and tube wrap. Generally speaking, sisal twine will rot when stored outdoors and is generally a poor choice. Plastic rope has better rot resistance than sisal, however, mesh and tubular wrapping do add additional cost.

Features: Balers can come with as many or as few features as a new car. The bale monitor in the tractor cab makes it very convenient to manage bale options such as bale size and number of bales. The great thing about a bale kicker is that it saves time. Without this feature, when the bale is complete, you would have to back up and then pull forward again to release the bale and close the end door.

Customer Service: Probably one of the most important things is the availability of customer service. The availability of replacement parts and/or repair service may affect how quickly you can get back to baling hay in the event of a breakdown.

At first glance, choosing the right round baler for your operation may seem like a challenge, but with good planning and careful consideration, choosing the perfect baler can become a reality.