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Small square bales.

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jeff

05-13-2002 06:17:33




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what would be a fair size and weight for marketing small square bales of hay?in your opinion, do these change with types of hay? thanks jeff




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dab

05-14-2002 11:46:29




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
Yes, hay type affects bulk density, which affects total weight of package given similar twine tension and length. I try to run a 38" bale with spring tension set for about 54# on timothy and about 65# on alfalfa going into the barn (18-20% moisture). As hay (here in KY) dries on down to about 14% after storage the bales come out 45-55#. I can not over-stress the importance of knowing what you customer wants. Most of my customers want hay at $2.50-$3.50 per bale and no more regardless of weight or size. Others buy by the ton and want maximum tons on a trailer. I am seeing my bale weight rise over time; as I go to more automated handling, it takes a tighter bale, and a tighter bale of the same length weighs more.

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SmallOps

05-14-2002 04:06:56




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
I've got a MF-12 baler and it has worked well for two seasons (1500-2000 bales/season). It ties well and has no maintenance problems to date.

The JD 336 series and NH equals make a better shaped and tighter bale. But, the $400.00 price for the MF-12 vs the JD and NH models price makes this a very good baler for my horse hay operations.

I will use this baler for another three seasons. After that, I can justify scraping it. (My $.02)

P.S. Manuals, parts and service have not been a problem in my area.

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SmallOps

05-14-2002 04:01:54




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
I've got a MF-12 baler and it has worked well for two seasons (1500-2000 bales/season). It ties well and has no maintenance problems to date.

The JD 336 series and NH equals make a better shaped and tighter bale. But, the $400.00 price for the MF-12 vs the JD and NH models price makes this a very good baler for my horse hay operations.

I will use this baler for another three seasons. After that, I can justify scraping it. (My $.02)

P.S. Manuals, parts and service have not been a problem in my area.

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Jerry D in NC

05-13-2002 10:25:30




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
We have a rule of thumb here that a well packed bale 36" long weighs around the 45 lbs range. The 36" bale is perfect for packing in the barn as it is twice as long as wide. This makes alternating the direction easy when stacking it in the barn. You will have a variation in bale length of + or - one flake so if you make your windrows big enough to push in 4" flakes then the bale can vary from 32 - 40" normally with the majority being 36". The 45 lbs bale seems to make tight bales that are easy to load and haul as there is nothing worse than trying to haul hay in loose bales and as the others have indicated is the preferred weight for the horse owner.

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Tom A

05-13-2002 07:57:26




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
Maybe it depends on what's normal for the area you're in.

I've bought small squares for a couple of years from several different folks locally, and (being a newbie) I weighed a lot of bales after getting them home, more out of curiousity than anything else.

Average weight for all the suppliers around here has been around 42 lbs, regardless of what kind of hay. The guy I've bought the most from had told me up front his were "40 lb" bales. I've found individual bales range from the mid-30s to the very low 50s in the same batch.

I agree with Craig WY that somewhere in that range is a good one, as even my wife can lug them with ease and she's pretty petite.

Tom

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lc

05-13-2002 18:44:22




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 Re: Re: small square bales. in reply to Tom A, 05-13-2002 07:57:26  
Curious if the stated weights were close to the 42lbs. that you weighed. It seems that most hay I've paid for is considerably udnder the stated weights.



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kraig WY

05-13-2002 07:03:13




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 Re: small square bales. in reply to jeff, 05-13-2002 06:17:33  
I assume that you are talking about selling square bales. Kinda of depends on the market. If you deal with horse people then you're probley dealing with a lot of woman folks. I'd keep the bales at about 50#. Weight that most everyone can handle. Also make it easier to feed. A 50# bale will feed two horse per day. It will vary in weight do to the mosture content of the hay and type. Just adjust the baler accordinly. Most people around here sell small bale as U-PICK-UP in the field. Cuts down on your work and you can keep your price lower.

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