Tama Assist Loading Tama Netwrap Without It Tangling
You’ve experienced the frustration of tangled netwrap, usually right when things are going well…
Tama bale netwrap is designed to be reliable; it’s used in over 22 million bales across the UK every year, but only performs as well as it’s set up to. Here is a practical guide to load netwrap correctly.
Before loading netwrap, inspect the baler. Ensure the bale chamber is clean and has a smooth surface, check the rollers spin freely and if using a baler with a variable chamber, that belts and/or chains are in serviceable condition. Remove crop debris and check for blunt knives, rusty bits, sharp edges and worn-out tensioners. All this can damage the netwrap and cause issues when baling.
Double check you’ve selected the right width of netwrap and type for your baler and crop conditions. Tama’s netwraps are designed to fit all the main baler models, but it’s always worth confirming before you start.
Properly loading your netwrap roll is essential for efficient baling and crop wrapping. These steps apply to most modern balers used across the UK and Europe.
- Lift the roll safely. Always use the built-in carry handles to lift the netwrap roll into position. Avoid dragging it, as this can damage the roll, which affects wrapping performance.
- Check the label and orientation. Follow the arrows and guidance printed on the roll label. Use the side marker stripes to ensure the roll is positioned correctly in the baler.
- Install in the netting system. Depending on your baler model, the roll may be placed on a tray, support rollers or a central driveshaft. Make sure the tail feeds from the top of the roll and in the correct direction as per your machine’s manual.
- Prepare the tail. Twist the tail end of the netwrap tightly to make feeding easier.
- Feed through the baler’s system. Guide the tail through the required rollers and tensioning system. This may include feed rollers or tension bars. (Refer to your baler’s instructions for exact routing).
- Set and lock components. Ensure all brake bars, tension arms or locking levers are correctly set and secured for operation.
- Trim and close. Cut off any excess netwrap and close all guards or covers securely.
Before loading, make sure the netwrap brake or tensioning system is clean and correctly set. If it’s too loose, the netwrap can unravel or tangle during loading. If too tight, it may snap or feed unevenly. Follow your baler’s manual for setup guidance and avoid over-tightening the brake during the first few turns.
Feed the netwrap properly through the baler system. It’s easy to misroute it, especially when loading netwrap rolls in a rush. One wrong loop around a roller and you’ll be clearing out jammed netwrap by the third bale. Follow the manufacturer’s routing guide, which can often be found as a decal on the baler near the netting system or in the baler manual.
Inspect those first few bales. You want a consistent, tight coverage of the bales with no gaps and no signs of laddering. If it doesn’t look right, stop. Adjust. Better now than after you’ve done a trailer load. For superior grip and edge-to-edge cover of the entire bale surface, opt for TamaNet+ Edge to Edge.
Even with heavy-duty bale netwrap like Tama+ Royal, netwrap tangles still happen. Here are a few common causes:
- Net tail not twisted before feeding. Without that tightly twisted first bit of wrap, the netwrap may slip or fold and fail to feed cleanly.
- Roll loaded the wrong way round. Always follow the arrows on the label. Backwards loading causes misfeeds.
- Tension too tight or too loose. Incorrect brake setting can lead to netwrap bunching or snapping.
- Dirty or worn rollers and blades. Debris, rust or blunt knives increase friction and can tear the net.
- Ejecting bales too quickly. Releasing the bale with PTO still running can snag or damage the wrap.
For more advice on tangle-free netwrap baling, contact the TAMA team.