Baler

**Group 1: History and Evolution**

– Before the 19th century, hay was cut by hand and stored in haystacks.
– In the 1860s, mechanical cutting devices were developed, leading to modern devices like balers.
– In 1872, a reaper with a knotter device for bundling hay was invented by Charles Withington.
– In 1936, Innes invented an automatic baler that tied bales with twine.
– The first round baler was likely invented in the late 19th century, designed for use with threshing machines.
– The first round baler was conceived around 1910 by Ummo Luebben but produced in 1947 by Allis-Chalmers.
– In 1965, a new design for large round balers was developed by Wesley F. Buchele and Virgil Haverdink.
– The Vermeer Company introduced the first modern round baler in 1972.
– Introduced in 1978, the large square baler is capable of compacting hay into large square bales.
– Collaboration between Walterscheid and Vermeer led to the effective use of CV joints in balers in the early 1980s.

**Group 2: Types of Balers**

– The most common baler type in industrialized countries is the round baler.
– Round balers produce cylinder-shaped bales that are weather-resistant.
– Large round balers can produce bales up to 72 inches in diameter and weighing up to 2,200 pounds.
– Industrial balers compress materials into compact bales for easier transport.
– Different types of balers are used, producing various sizes and shapes of bales.
– The large square baler is capable of compacting hay into large square bales.
– Small square balers today can have twine or wire tie knotters.

**Group 3: Handling and Transport**

– Round bales require special treatment for safe transport and handling.
– Small round bales can be moved by hand or lower-powered equipment.
– Large round bales need specific transport and moving equipment due to their weight.
– Square bales are easier to transport and stack than round bales.
– Large spear forks or squeeze grips are used to lift large square bales.
– Careful management of stack sizes is crucial to prevent spontaneous ignition.

**Group 4: Feeding and Silage**

– Round bales can be used for feeding animals directly.
– Round balers enable feeding by unrolling the bale.
– Silage or haylage bales are high-moisture bales wrapped in plastic film.
– Fermentation process starts immediately in these bales.
– Plastic-wrapped bales must be unwrapped before feeding livestock.

**Group 5: Operation and Innovation**

– Material is lifted by tines in the baler’s reel and packed into the bale chamber.
– The plunger and knife move back and forth to pack bales.
– Measuring device triggers knotters to wrap twine around bale.
– Tied bales are ejected out of the baling chamber.
– Bale stackers automate the bale stacking process.
– Bale sledges are used for automated bale transport.
– Bale shredders help tear apart and fluff up tightly compacted bales for use.