Tama Assist Netwrap knowledge
Netwrap is now a very common method to bale your crops, but there are many occasions when lack of knowledge of the netwrap can cause operator problems. Incorrect or misleading information about netwrap can create confusion in the market, which can have a serious effect on performance of the net in your baler, as well as seriously affecting the quality of the bales you produce.
In this article, taken from the CPA news, we hope to illustrate the common misunderstandings of netwrap and what to look for and understand when choosing your netwrap for this season.
- If the bale shape is not uniform, the net in the centre is under extreme pressure therefore the threads of the net will break, causing the bale to burst.
- The greatest pressure in a bale is always in the centre. The bale should be formed correctly, not driving in fast ‘zig-zag’, but straight controlled driving, filling the bale chamber fully and evenly.
- The strength of the netwrap is around the circumference of the bale. The stronger ‘Franze’ threads hold the pressure of the crop in this direction.
- Netwrap strength comes from the stronger vertical ‘franze’ threads of the netwrap (Machine Direction – MD) only. The strength of the side-ways ‘shuss’ threads (Transverse Direction – TD) does not influence the performance since they are to hold the Franze threads in place.
Even without the ‘shuss’ (zig-zag) threads, the bale holds together.
- All of the stronger ‘Franze’ threads are acting together giving the net its overall strength.
- A good netwrap must have high overall strength, across the whole width of the net.
- Single coloured threads within a netwrap are a mark of identification from the manufacturer.
- Single coloured threads are not related to any higher strength or better spreading ability of the net.
- A net constructed using cross pattern ‘shuss’ threads is a manufacturer preference during production and might not offer any benefits in strength.
- The strength of the net is carried by the stronger Franze threads.
If a net is manufactured with a greater density of ‘cross pattern shuss’ threads, it will change the profile of the net roll, due to the increased amount of net threads present in this part of the net.
The increased density will increase the roll diameter in this localised place on the roll, creating a ‘high spot’, that when operating in balers where the roll is turning on itself in the net box, will cause an increase in friction on the net roll surface, which will damage the threads and lead to breaks in the net.