Tama Assist How To Choose The Best Baling Twine
Choosing the correct baling twine may seem like a no-brainer but it is key to reliable knots and secure bales. The perfect bale twine reduces costly downtime and ensures tight hay, silage and straw bales. Use this guide to select the best baler twine.
Also read the related article: Mastering the Art of Hay Production: The Crucial Role of Baler Twine
You need bale twine that:
- Can withstand UV rays over long periods
- Is made from quality materials
- Is uniformly and well twisted, critical with thick twines
- Has consistent quality and long spool length for uninterrupted baling
- Is flexible yet strong for reliable knots
Crop type (hay, straw or silage), baling conditions (temperature and humidity) and end use will determine the strength of baler twine. Fortunately, a colour-coded system simplifies twine selection. For example, the orange LSB Power twine for large square bales suits most crops and balers in normal baling conditions.
Under extra pressure? The red-labelled HD Extra twine handles baling in hotter and more extreme conditions and high-density bales. For extreme jobs like baling short straw or maize stalks in extreme heat, choose the brown-rated twine.
Big, square, high-density straw or silage bales may demand robust twine in the ‘big bale’ range. These tough customers need durable twine that can handle high-pressure baling.
However, lower-density bales may require a ‘blue’ graded bale twine.
Most balers use ‘orange graded’ twine suitable for regular high-density baling. Depending on the bale shape, choose baling twine suitable for your baler.
Where round bales are concerned, premium fine bale twine is suitable for round bales or, for large, high density round bales consider using a high quality netwrap.
Sunlight degrades twine during outdoor storage. Twine manufacturers optimise UV resistance and longevity by choosing additives and stabilisers based on the twine’s target region.
This colour guide will help you choose the right twine. The rainbow of colours isn’t just for looks. It indicates the baler twine’s durability level and is something that should be carefully considered before purchase.
Consider your baler’s knotter system as different knots impact twine strength and performance. Rather than just looking at basic tensile strength ratings, choose a baling twine that works with your specific needs for optimised post-knot strength.
Also, consider bale twine thickness; just because a twine is the thickest, it does not automatically make it the strongest. A thick twine can often be very hard to hold a secure knot, as a thicker twine is more at risk of slipping open. Tama’s latest IMPAX range of bale twines combines the strength of a thick twine with the knot security of a thinner twine. The best of both worlds!
Choose baling twine based on your baling and bale needs and check out the Tama Knowledge Guide for more advice on choosing the right baler twine.