A big baler is a large device used to bind various materials in a more compact form — often by crushing the materials and tying them together in bundles — and choosing the right one can help to ensure that the baler works best for your needs. The materials you intend on binding are important when choosing a big baler because, for example, a hay baler and a cardboard baler require different specifications and considerations. The machine's loading system will determine how materials get into the baler, and choosing the wrong loading system may make baling efforts inconvenient, at least. While most big balers have large feed sizes, you should consider whether you would benefit from an extra-large feed. The term "shear power" refers to the crushing power of the baler, and this will ensure that the materials can be properly compacted.
Big baler units are made for many purposes, and you likely will want to get one intended for your purpose. If you need an industrial baler for crushing metal, then you should not try buying an agricultural baler for hay. Depending on what the baler is made to compact, there will be different specifications from which you can select. For example, strength is important for a baler but, if you get a hay baler when you need a metal baler, it will be difficult to find a hay baler with enough strength to bale metal.
Materials have to be loaded into a big baler to be compacted. There are many loading options, including through a chute or via a conveyor belt. Manual loading also is plausible, though it is uncommon for bigger bales. You should choose the loading system that is most convenient for your purposes; if you already are set up for a loading procedure, then it is usually best to get a baler that conforms to that process rather than having to change your process to conform to the baler.
The size of the feed, or the area where materials go into the baler, is typically large on a big baler. Regardless, you should ensure that the feeding area is large enough for the materials you will be putting in it. While you can get a smaller area, and this can decrease the baler’s price, it may take much longer to load the waste materials.
Balers are made to reduce the volume of waste materials, but they need enough shear power to do this. Without enough power, the materials may be compacted, but it may not be enough, or you may need to run the compacting cycle several times. At the same time, getting a big baler with too much power may end up damaging the machine or adding wasted expense.