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A mini hay baler is a type of farm equipment designed to make the task of gathering and baling hay relatively quick and easy. Designed for use on single-family and small commercial farms, these smaller balers can be easily towed by a pickup truck or small tractor. Models of this type are often equipped with twine or plastic strapping capabilities and may even have features such as automatic ejection when the bale is complete.
The basic configuration of a hay baler includes an entrance chute that serves as the entry point for the hay. Inside the body of the equipment are components that help compact and shape the hay into a manageable bale. Also included are mechanisms that help secure the bale with the use of ropes or plastic straps. There are some models that even allow the use of wire straps to secure the bales. A final key aspect of the design is the exit chute, which can be automated for convenience or require manual intervention to remove the finished bale from the machinery.
Some designs for the mini hay baler are structured to allow the device to remain stationary while workers use forks to feed hay into the inlet chute. A different design allows the device to be equipped with a harvesting arm and a hose that separates and recovers the hay when the machine is towed by a tractor or other type of small vehicle. Choosing which type of mini hay baler to use generally depends on the amount of area involved in harvesting, as well as the volume of hay that is required to be harvested and baled. In terms of cost, a basic baler with fewer features can be had for a low price, with the cost increasing as additional automated features are added.
Although the mini hay baler is designed to collect and bale hay for storage or sale, the equipment can also be used for other applications. As part of a waste management process, the baler can also handle smaller plants, such as corn stalks, effectively compacting and baling the stalks for easy disposal. In addition, this type of agricultural baler also works well for collecting and baling any type of tall grass, a task that can simplify the landscaping of an area of land. The mini hay baler can even be used effectively to reclaim, compact and bale pine straw that can be stored for later use as mulch or sold for profit.