How To Select The Right Hay Baler

To make and sell hay, you’re going to need some machines built specifically for the task. One of those machines is a baler. Since their introduction to the market, these machines have completely changed the hay game, bringing greater efficiency and less wastage with them. Now when you go looking at hay balers for sale, you’re going to have several to choose from.

At West Hills Tractor we like to help our clients get the right machines for their needs. With that in mind we’ve created this guide to help you narrow down your baler choices. When you’re ready to check out hay balers for sale in Jonesborough, Tennessee, get in touch with our sales department. We’re proud to be the hay baler dealer for all our patrons from Johnson City and Greenville. 

Bale Size & Shape

A lot of hay balers are chosen based on the kind of hay bale they produce. Depending on the shape and quality of the bale, it can be easier to stack or transport. Bales also get very heavy once they’re tied and stacked together. You’ll find two types of baler shapes: round ones and square ones. Most of the time, your square hay balers will be the bigger machines, though not always. Before you decide, you’ll want to give some thought to how the hay bales should look once they’ve exited the baler.

Fixed Chambers & Variable Chambers

If you decide on a round hay baler, your next choice has to be whether you want a fixed-chamber baler or a variable-chamber baler. Both have their advantages and your final choice will depend on your circumstances and what you need done. Fixed-chamber round balers are often simpler mechanically. The final result is a bale that’s not quite as dense, which can be easier for smaller animals to feed from. 

If you want greater flexibility when it comes to choosing the bale size, you’re going to prefer variable-chamber round balers. Denser bales have their own advantages, such as not allowing moisture to soak right in, which increases the quality of your product. 

Crop

You can bale a variety of grasses into bundles, and the various types of crops have to be handled differently because of the different moisture and compression levels, among other things. For crops that need more moisture, you’ll probably want a fixed-chamber round baler, while drier crops need something to more tightly compress everything, so a variable-chamber style is probably better.

Horsepower

Another point to take into consideration is whether the hay baler of your choice is compatible with your tractor. This will probably mean checking the required horsepower to use it and making sure your primary machine is up to the task. Keep in mind, square balers often require more horsepower than round ones, so give those models a particularly close look when you’re looking at your options. 

Budget

If you have the money, you can simply go for the latest and best model on the market. However, most of us don't have unlimited budgets and have to keep our finances in mind when making big purchases. Keep in mind that frugality shouldn’t entirely dictate your final purchase. You don’t want to pass up a useful model for one that gives you gray hairs, simply because you wanted to save money. If you’re on a budget, make sure you’re still making the right choice for your farm.

We hope this information makes things easy for you when you finally go shopping for balers! If you need more information or want to check out hay balers for sale in Jonesborough, TN, get in touch with West Hills Tractor and we’ll show you our excellent selection. We’re also the hay baler dealer for all our friends from Johnson City and Greenville!