Experimental Baler Makes Compacted Bales

Experimental Baler Makes Compacted Bales HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Balers (6) 16-1-23 Many machines have been built to corn-press bales after they're already made but the first machine that produces compacted bales that have twice as much material in them as conventional bales has been produced by ag engineers in England. The Silsoe Research Institute says the experimental baler has a 2-step compaction system. The first is a set of compression rollers directly behind the pickup which compresses hay or straw into a continuous mat that is then fed into the bale chamber in zig-zag fashion. Once the bale chamber is full, a pair of "cleaver" arms close over the end of the bale and twin hydraulic cylinders push the cleavers toward the back of the baler, compressing the bale. When the compression stroke is complete, conventional needles and knotters tie the 4 by 4-ft. bale, which is then ejected through a hydraulically controlled door at the back of the baler. "It makes bales about twice as dense as conventionally-formed bales, reducing the cost of handling and transportation," says Dr. Paul Biscoe of Silsoe, noting that the machine is available for licensing to a manufacturer. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS England (ph 0525 60000; fax 0525 60156).

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