Tama Assist Make straw baling easy: Tips to reduce bale ‘explosiveness’ with the right bale netwrap
Straw baling can be a challenging task, particularly when compared to baling other materials like silage or hay. Straw is inherently drier and stiffer, which puts greater strain on the bale netwrap. When working with straw bales made from very short pieces – almost like dust rather than actual straw – the bale can become significantly more ‘explosive.’ This increased internal pressure poses a higher risk of the bale bursting. However, with proper planning and the right approach, you can minimize these issues and make straw baling easier and more efficient.
When you create straw bales with very short pieces, the material compacts more tightly, resulting in higher internal pressure. This pressure causes the bale to expand more than the bale netwrap can withstand, increasing the likelihood of the bale bursting.
A common strategy to manage this is by using more layers of bale netwrap. For example, it’s recommended to use four layers of standard netwrap or just 2.5 layers of TamaRoyal premium netwrap to ensure your straw bales are securely held together.
Reducing the explosiveness of straw bales starts with planning during the threshing process. By adjusting the threshing table settings to leave longer straw, you can significantly decrease the pressure on the bale netwrap. Longer straw is easier to manage and maintains bale shape and integrity, reducing the risk of the straw bales bursting.
Here’s how to make your straw baling process more efficient:
- Adjust the threshing table: Ensure that the straw left after threshing is longer by modifying the settings on the threshing table. Longer straw results in stable straw bales, which are easier to secure with bale netwrap.
- Properly windrow: After ensuring you have longer straw, windrow it correctly before baling. This will help the material lay more evenly in the baler, leading to uniform and stable straw bales that are easier to manage with bale netwrap.
- Use the right amount of bale netwrap: Depending on the straw’s quality and length, you may need to adjust the amount of bale netwrap you use. Shorter straw may require up to 4 layers of netwrap, while longer straw can often be securely baled with just 2.5 layers of TamaRoyal netwrap.
By planning your straw baling process from the threshing stage, you can significantly reduce the risk of creating ‘explosive’ straw bales. Longer straw is easier to handle and applies less pressure on the bale netwrap, resulting in more durable and stable bales. These simple adjustments can make the entire baling process more efficient, saving you time and money.
So, the next time you’re preparing to create straw bales, remember these tips to make your baling process as smooth and trouble-free as possible using the right bale netwrap.
And remember, if you are still having problems with explosive bales, contact Tama Assist and we will be happy to help you diagnose the problem.