Mini Hay Baler Automatically Ties Bales

Mini Hay Baler Automatically Ties Bales BALE HANDLING Bale Handling (31B) 30-2-18 "It's the only machine out there that will automatically tie bales that small," says Sam Esch, Strasburg, Penn., who sells a stationary mini hay baler he built from scratch. He says the electric or hydraulic-powered machine makes decorative bales that measure 8 by 6 by 4 1/2 in. and weigh about 3 1/2 lbs. Crafters and pet store owners sell the bales for about $6 each. Esch says you can put a slice of a large bale on the table and manually feed it into the auger. A lever turns the baler on and off. "Should something happen, you can shut it off with your elbow," he says. A plunger pushes the hay through the chute and the New Holland knotter automatically ties each bale with twine. Two spring-loaded levers set bale tension. The twine spools are stored in a pair of metal cylinders. Esch says one person can make 8 bales per minute. The 8 by 6 1/2 by 5-ft. high baler weighs about 500 lbs. "It fits in the back of your pickup," says Esch. Sells for $7,800. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Esch Hay Equipment, 1324 Village Rd., Strasburg, Penn. 17579 (ph 717 687-0321).

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