From Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay_baler
A type of baler which is less common today in some places but which is still prevalent in many countries such as New Zealand and Australia to the exclusion of large bales produces small rectangular (often called "square") bales. Each bale is about 15 in x 18 in x 40 in (40 x 45 x 100 cm). The bales are wrapped with two, three, or sometimes four strands of knotted twine. The bales are light enough for one person to handle, about 45 to 60 inches (1.1 to 1.5 m).
To form the bale, the material to be baled, (which is often hay or straw) in the
windrow is lifted by tines in the baler's
pickup. This material is then dragged or augered into a chamber that runs the length of one side of the baler. A combination plunger and knife moves back and forth in the front end of this chamber.
The knife, positioned just ahead of the plunger, cuts off the material at the spot where it enters the chamber from the pickup. The plunger rams the material rearwards, compressing it into the bales. A measuring device measures the amount of material that is being compressed and, at the appropriate length it triggers the mechanism (the knotter) that wraps the twine around the bale and ties it off. As the next bale is formed the tied one is driven out of the rear of the baling chamber onto the ground or onto a special wagon hooked to the rear of the baler. This process continues as long as there is material to be baled, and twine to tie it with.
This form of bale is not much used in large-scale commercial agriculture, because of the costs involved in handling many small bales. However, it enjoys some popularity in small-scale, low-mechanization agriculture and horse-keeping. Besides using simpler machinery and being easy to handle, these small bales can also be used for insulation and building materials in
straw-bale construction. Square bales will also generally weather better than round bales because a more much dense stack can be put up.[
citation needed] Convenience is also a major factor in farmers deciding to continue putting up square bales, as they make feeding and bedding in confined areas (stables, barns, etc.) much easier.
Many of these older balers are still to be found on farms today, particularly in dry areas, where bales can be left outside for long periods.
The automatic-baler for small square bales took on most of its present form in 1940. It was first manufactured by the
New Holland Ag and it used a small
petrol engine to provide operating power. It is based on a 1937 invention for a twine-tie baler with automatic pickup
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