Machine Makes Bales Out Of Tires

Machine Makes Bales Out Of Tires TIRES/WHEELS Handling 22-3-26 A first-of-its-kind machine that compresses whole tires into compact square bales may be just the best tool yet for disposing of the millions of tires discarded every year. The baler compresses car and truck tires into bales that measure 30 by 60 by 36 in. and weigh about 1,200 lbs. Each bale contains about 50 tires and is tied by galvanized 9-ga. wire. The bales can be handled by front-end loaders. The baler can also make bales that measure 30 by 60 by 48 in. and weigh about 2,000 lbs. Each bale contains about 100 tires. The company that built the bale processor, Waste Tire Processors of Mason City, Iowa, says they've already come up with a number of uses for the big bales. They've been used to control soil erosion, make watershed di-version barriers, stabilize stream banks, ter-races, levee control berms, reduce mud problems in feedlots, etc. In the future, the company hopes to use the big bales to put up buildings, using them as big bricks to form the sides and then stuccoing them over. In a typical waterway project, bales are placed side by side at intervals in the water-way where they act as "check dams" to re-duce the velocity of the water as it flows along the waterway. The ground is excavated partially below grade, then the bales are installed, covered with a layer of soil, and seeded with grass to create the same effect as a speed bump in a highway. "Baled tires provide a long term solution compared to other methods of erosion repair and disturb much less surrounding topsoil than conventional erosion control methods," says Don Hess. "They also reduce the amount of new soil needed to make the repair. As a result, it costs only a fraction as much as cost-share government programs. Unlike concrete containment structures, baled tires aren't affected by freezing, chipping, and cracking or by corrosive fertilizer. Water flows through the bales like it flows through drainage tile, yet the soil remains in place. Grasses establish well in the soil-covered tires because the roots have excellent access to moisture trapped in the crevices of the baled tires. "However, the biggest advantage of using waste tire bales over conventional methods is cost. Projects in our area that traditionally cost $4,500 to $5,500 have been successfully completed for less than $800. "The 2,000-lb. bales work great to keep cattle high and dry in feedlots. The ground never freezes under the tire bales so rain can filter through them all year long. Bales can also be placed alongside the concrete feeding area and covered with 8 to 10 in. of aggregate limestone to keep everything stable. "The machine makes about 4 bales per hour. We can also bale semi truck tires." A 1,200-lb. bale sells for $5 FOB Charles City and the 2,000-lb. bale sells for $7.50. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Waste Tire Processors, L.L.C., 103 East State Street, Suite 425, Mason City, Iowa 50401 (ph 888 421-8473; fax 515 424-6869).

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