The different types of baler parts can vary significantly according to the type of baler being used. Some balers, for example, are used to rake up hay and force them into bales, while other baler systems are used to compact recyclable materials into bales for transport or storage. Baler parts for a hay baler may include the rake, which picks up the hay, the pickup teeth that are mounted to the rake to grab the hay, wheels that allow the machine to be towed behind the towing vehicle, and the power take-off (PTO) coupler.
A hay baler is usually attached to a tractor that features a PTO, which essentially powers the baler itself. The baler must be attached to the tractor using a PTO coupler, which transfers power from the tractor to the baler. Other baler parts that connect the machine to the tractor include trailer hitch systems. This system includes a tow bar, a ball hitch, and a receiver mounted on the tractor itself. The wheels on the baler are usually thick rubber; some machines will feature pneumatic rubber tires, while others may feature solid rubber wheels. Pneumatic wheels tend to be more maneuverable and lighter weight, but solid rubber wheels are more durable.
A kick baler will feature baler parts that will propel the hay bales after they have been created. The bale will slide out of the chamber in which it was compressed, and it will land on the kick baler arms; these arms will be activated by a spring-loaded actuator or by a hydraulic system, launching the hay bale backward away from the machine. A trailer will need to be mounted behind the machine to catch the bales once they have been launched. This is done to allow easier collection of the bales once they are formed, thereby making transport a quicker and easier process.
Balers used in processing settings, such as waste processing or recycling plants, will feature entirely different baler parts. These machines tend to be stationary, so they will not feature wheels. The baler in this instance will usually feature a large hopper into which materials can be loaded; a door that can be opened and closed to accommodate various stages of the baling process; and a hydraulic arm system that will compress the materials once they are in place. The hydraulic arm may be operated by a motor, which may be powered by electricity or by gasoline or diesel fuel.