With the advancement of human technology, he invented special machines for every job. One of the most important jobs for human food supply is agriculture. Due to the fact that people are engaged in various jobs and also the population is increasing day by day, the manpower in the field of agriculture is low and the product demand is high. So we need newer agricultural methods to meet people’s needs. A method that has less manpower and more productivity. Therefore, many machines were made, and one of these machines is the subject of our article. This machine, which is called baler machine or fodder press machine, is related to the last stage of agriculture, which includes harvesting and packaging of agricultural products.
Introducing baler machine or fodder press
A baler, forage press machine or packer collects straw, hay and dry fodder and compresses it into packages of uniform weight and size. This device wraps the packages with a wire or a thread to which the baler twine is tied and finally the prepared packages are dropped to the ground from the back of the device. This type of packaged fodder can be stored in different ways and easily. Fodder resulting from this process is one of the most important types of dry fodder in the market.
Baler machine applications
This machine is mostly used for packing dry fodder. But besides that, it can also be used to pack plant residues such as straw, stubble, and small grains. These machines can generally be divided into two different types. Some of them are small and make small cube-shaped packages weighing less than 25 kg, while others make large cube-shaped or cylinder-shaped packages that weigh almost 750 kg. Normally, the baler or fodder press packs 8 to 10 tons of fodder every hour, and these packages weigh between 15 and 25 kg.
Types of baler or fodder press
In general, balers are available in semi-hydraulic form and are widely used in agriculture and fodder packaging. Balers will be divided into three categories according to whether they press the packed fodder with low, medium or high density:
- Baler with low density of 50 to 100 kg/m3
- Baler with an average density of 100 to 150 kg/m3
- Baler with high density from 150 kg per cubic meter up
However, be careful that fodder press machines with low and medium density are actually a device that can be adjusted to their grade and packed with low or medium density.
Benefits of using a baler
- Save time and money
- The ability to keep fodder for a long time in the warehouse
- Maintaining the nutritional value of fodder, maintaining its moisture and quality
- High accuracy in packaging and waste reduction
- No need to burn the land after harvesting
- High speed collection and transportation
- Ease of collecting fodder from the farm
The main parts of the baler machine
the rakes
The rakes have the task of moving the strips of straw fodder, and when more fodder is placed in one part of the packaging chamber, the bent packages can be corrected and straightened by moving the fingers of these rakes.
Knotter
The baler machine usually has two knotting devices that are placed on top of the packaging chamber and create two knots at the same time. Among the main parts of the tying machine, we can mention such things as thread disc, thread taker, knotting die, knife arm, knotter and knife.
compression piston
The piston is a moving disk enclosed in a cylinder that provides the energy needed by the knotting machine.
guide belt
The guide belt is located on top of the pick-up cylinder and prevents forage, straw and stubble from being thrown when picking them up. This belt also has a floating mode.
flywheel
It is a hollow or ring-shaped disk that rotates around its main and central axis. This wheel has a high ability to store energy, so the energy stored in it can be used in two main ways. One of these things is its ability to compensate for the momentary reduction of energy in the system, which can occur for various reasons, and the other and of course more important thing is the balance of rotational movements and a tuning that it can do due to its weight.
gear box
The gearbox is used to adjust the speed of the baler, and it can be used to reach the desired speed without increasing the engine speed and torque. Also, the gearbox is very important in adjusting the direction of the baler.
star wheel
When the package is compressed inside the compression chamber, the star vanes are inserted into it, and as the package moves, the star wheel also rotates until the package is completely packed. This wheel also releases the knotter through the clutch release arm.
Compression cylinder
The cylinder is a cylindrical part of the engine in which fodder, moon, stubs and parts such as piston are placed inside and go up and down. Also, the tying operation is done inside this chamber.
Hydraulic jack
A hydraulic jack is used in some balers to adjust the height, and the lifting and lowering of the lifter can be controlled with its hydraulic valve, which is available to the driver.
Safety items that must be observed to use the baler car!
- Before starting the straw and fodder packing operation with the baler machine, keep the following points in mind:
- First, carefully read the safety information mentioned in the manual of your baler machine and remember all the signs on the machine.
- Note that this device is not designed as a vehicle.
- At the time of work, install the guards in place.
- Do not use special clothes to prevent any accidents or incidents.
- In addition, use earplugs to prevent hearing loss when using the baler.
- Avoid touching the knotting unit while working.
- During work, do not touch the threads, material outlet channel and inlet opening.
- When moving and pulling the machine, note that the speed of the tractor should not exceed 25 km/h.
- While the baler is on, stand at a safe distance to visit the transmission shafts and then perform the inspection.
- Use proper lights and danger signs to cross the roads and make sure that the color of the device is always healthy and clean.
Comparison of cylindrical baler packaging compared to cubic
Many of us have seen straw, fodder, stubble, etc., packed in cubes, but a new type of packaging that is more machine-made is in the form of cylinders. This new packaging method has many features and advantages compared to the cube packaging method. These benefits include the following:
- It is easier to move cylindrical packages with a forklift and it also saves money and wages.
- If it rains after the packing process, the water will penetrate into the cylindrical package, while the cubic packages, due to their high compression, water cannot easily penetrate into them.
- One of the main rules of farm management is to leave the fodder, straw and straw packages from the farm as quickly as possible; Because we can grow faster in the space under the packages and prepare the land for the next cultivation. Accordingly, cylindrical packages have this advantage due to easier handling.
- Due to the special shape of the cylindrical packages, they can be placed in an open space and if this time is for a long time, it can be placed in the warehouse.
- The volume of cylindrical packaging is much larger and will be almost equivalent to 30 cubic packages. Therefore, its transportation is much more economical.