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There are some mini-baler options that will fit into the back of a pickup and that run with as little as 15 HP.
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How much HP do I need for a square baler? Overall, a round baler should provide more efficient large-scale hay harvesting performance in terms of capacity, speed, and yield. There is generally more wastage than with small bales as a percentage of hay will be soiled by trampling animals or used for their bedding. Their shape also makes them unsuitable for stacking so they will take up more storage space. The weight of round bales makes it necessary to move them with machinery. Large bales can feed livestock for days at a time when left in a pasture. They are better able to withstand rainstorms than smaller bales as less of their hay will be exposed to possible spoiling. Due to their enormous size, you will be able to convert the hay from large fields into very few bales. What is a round baler used for? Round Bales on a FieldĪ round baler is designed to produce much larger round bales of hay that can weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds. In the argument against square balers, they can be more time-consuming both in the production and distribution of hay. Small bales should fit through any door, are easily stacked into small barns, and result in very little waste as the hay is generally all consumed rather than being trampled on or purposed as bedding. With these weights and dimensions, the bales are easily maneuvered by a single person who can carry them to livestock to be fed. Individual bale dimensions are usually around three feet long, half a foot wide, and a foot tall.
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Manufactured for producing small square bales of hay, a square baler is ideal if you want a larger volume of smaller bales. What is a square baler used for? Square Bales Let’s have a closer look at their differences. This makes your hay baler one of the most important pieces of farming machinery that you will purchase.ĭeciding between a square or round baler is largely a personal preference but a smart choice will be based on considerations of farm size, manpower, storage availability, and the type of animals you’re farming. Livestock is the livelihood of a farm and feeding them is one of its most vital and often labor-intensive jobs. Much more expensive for a bigger square baler compared to the round baler $3000 (used)-$20000 (newer model) Machinery for moving Not needed (easily maneuvered by a single person) Needed Safety More stable when stacked Less stable Storage Suitable for stacking and less storage space Not suitable for stacking and larger storage volume needed Waste Less hay wasted More hay wastedĭifference between square baler and round baler Main differences between square and round balers Square baler Round baler Usage The larger volume of smaller balesĮasily stacked into small barns Much larger round bales, large-scale hay harvesting Weight 40-60 pounds 100-1000 pounds Weather factor More moisture absorption during bad weather conditions Better to withstand rainstorms Time Time-consuming Efficient and faster HP needed 35 HP (3000 pounds tractor) 35-60 HP (3000 pounds tractor) Cost $2000 (smaller square baler), While there are different types of machinery that can function as hay mowers, the focus here is on balers that mount to your tractor’s 3-point hitch as these are the most popular amongst farmers.Ĭonsidering the efficiency of the two sorts of balers is key to deciding whether to use a square or round baler in your farming operations. Square balers are designed to produce small square bales of hay and round balers deliver those gigantic round bales you see dotting fields across the country. What is the difference between square and round balers? Are Round or Rectangular Trampolines Better?Īre they really so different, and is one baler better than the other? Let’s take a hayride around the Square Vs Round baler battle.
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