How to choose a baler? How difficult it is to make a hydraulic or mechanical press with your own hands.

12.06.2019

Most people prefer to harvest hay for the winter in the form of many bulky sheaves that need large areas and cannot be stored well without an airtight coating that involves the use of dense polyethylene film, which, by the way, is not at all a panacea for dampness inside the stack and does not at all guarantee the complete safety of the workpiece. In the meantime, it is much more practical and convenient to store hay in small bales, made in the form of a rectangular bar, for the formation of which you will need a special hay press. Making this device with your own hands is as easy as shelling pears, and the costs for translating this great idea into reality will be minimal, because you can use any improvised means and materials available on the farm. Among other things, one should take into account the fact that the hay press can be made in three versions.

So, the first two of them can be presented in the form of a wooden or metal case with a folding piston, or as a press that performs ramming through the operation of a walk-behind tractor. This article will provide detailed description production of the first option (wooden press), as the easiest and does not require the use of gas welding. The very design of such a homemade press is a tall wooden box. rectangular shape seated on a rigid frame made of timber or metal profiles with a hinged wicket door without a roof. Putting it together is quite simple, just use pre-sanded and polished wooden planks, interconnected metal corners and mounting bolts. To increase the strength of the structure, it must be covered around the perimeter in the upper and lower parts with metal slats.

At the same time, the door area remains not captured, since the screed will prevent it from opening, therefore, the reinforcement should be duplicated in the inside of the box, using flat metal slats at the very top, while the lower part of the structure is fixed in a single position with the help of a bottom seated on a rigid frame. You can make a folding gate with the help of ordinary door hinges, but in order to force it to be held in the closed position during the pressing of dry hay, the side metal slats should protrude beyond the edge of the wooden box and have two deep notches, which can freely accommodate a long wooden or a steel bolt made in the form of a thin rigid rail, rod or beam (optional).

The size of the projected gap in the rails protruding beyond the edge of the box, which in parallel act as an auxiliary retainer of the entire structure, completely depends on the thickness of the side face of the deadbolt. After the completion of the main work, they proceed to the implementation of the most important element of this device, which is a folding wooden or metal press. To do this, its base is attached to the back of the box in the form of a long bar extending upwards far beyond its limits, to which, in turn, two auxiliary parallel beams are screwed. At a certain distance from the base of the press, a new beam is placed between these beams, which can make half-turns forward and backward along its axis. According to exactly the same principle, the end of this beam is equipped with a press sole, which has the ability to make the same half-turns.

The area and shape of this sole should exactly repeat the cross section of the wooden box, taking into account the minimum gaps on each side ranging from 5 to 8 millimeters, which are necessary for the free movement of the "piston" in the inner part of the structure in order to perform high-quality compaction of the workpiece. For added convenience, a reel with a thick fishing line or synthetic twine is placed on the back of the wooden box, and two longitudinal holes in the front door for tying an already compressed hay bale. The pressing process itself is usually carried out in four stages, of which the first three involve laying and compacting hay in a box by flipping the sole of the press and directing it into it. inner part, as well as tying the resulting briquette while it is still in the device with the press lowered from above.

A hay and straw press is necessary not only for large farmers, but also for those who keep a small number of livestock. The presence of this apparatus greatly simplifies the preparation and storage of hay and straw. The device reduces the initial value of raw materials by more than half, and one cubic meter of hay or straw will weigh up to 250 kg. You can not only buy the device, but also make it yourself.

Hay press for walk-behind tractor

A homemade hay press can be manual, made of boards or metal, and rolled, which is attached to a walk-behind tractor or clings to a mini-tractor. Pressed hay is more convenient for storage, and pressed straw can be used to make fuel briquettes.

Straw briquettes burn well, and they can heat not only residential, but also utility rooms.

The round press baler for a walk-behind tractor has several main components:

Loboviny, on which all parts are fastened,
Chassis, on which the wheels are attached,
Devices for picking up straw and hay from the ground,
transporter,
The working container in which the pressing mechanism is located,
Mini gearboxes.

When making a press for a walk-behind tractor with your own hands, you need to remember that the most attention should be paid to the pressing device.

It includes:

shafts,
Clamping grate made of durable metal,
Steel or metal plate
Several steel springs.

A factory hay press for a walk-behind tractor, such as prf -145 or prf -750 and other prf models, differs from homemade ones in that it has a hydraulic pressing system instead of a grid with springs.

The performance of the roll pick-up will depend on the power of the walk-behind tractor or tractor.

Press manufacturing process

To facilitate installation work, it is better to draw up or find a drawing in advance, with a detailed indication of not only the dimensions, but also the fastening of the parts. Do-it-yourself hay baler is assembled as follows. First, the undercarriage is welded. For its manufacture using a durable metal profile or steel sheets. Length and width are selected based on individual needs. Pneumatic wheels are installed on the chassis, as well as a windshield. The pick-up itself is attached to the forehead: it can be made from several metal bayonets or rods. Its shape resembles an ordinary pitchfork. The conveyor is also attached to the forehead. The conveyor is made of chains or strong thick wire.

The next stage is the working capacity is welded onto the baler. It is made from sheet metal. Some farmers use a finished metal barrel as a working container. At the bottom of the container, several pressing shafts are installed, as well as a welded metal grate. Above - a heavy steel plate is fastened with several springs. The drive is assembled last, which is responsible for the operation of the entire device. To do this, the cardan must be connected to a two-speed gearbox. From it, the chain drive will spread to the shafts, as well as to the conveyor. Homemade hay baler is ready!

Manual straw or hay baler

Do-it-yourself press baler can be made and more in a simple way. If you need to bale small amounts of straw or hay, or if you cannot use a mechanical device, a manual equivalent of a baler will also work. This device will avoid high costs, and the materials necessary for its creation are available in almost any household.

A simple hay baler can be made with metal or wooden case. The lightest and least demanding special efforts for manufacturing - this is a wooden hand press. It can be done even without using a welding machine.

How to assemble a hand press

Externally, a do-it-yourself hay press looks like a wooden box attached to a frame. A manual hay press is made from ordinary boards, which are fastened for strength with a corner using mounting bolts. The perimeter of the box is upholstered with strips of metal. Special attention should be paid to the hinged lid. The opening for it should also be sheathed with strips of metal both from the outside and from the inside. The hinged lid is also made from boards, and the most convenient way to attach it is to ordinary door hinges.

The press itself is best made of metal, but wood can also be used. Those who have baled with a metal device note a greater density of the bale.

To the back wall wooden box a piece of timber is attached, one and a half times the height of the box. Two small parallel bars are attached to it. Between them there must be a distance that allows you to attach a beam that can make several half-turns around its axis. At the other end, the press itself is attached, which looks like a flat sole. The press must also freely rotate around its axis. The shape and size of the press is calculated based on the dimensions of the section of the main box.

A roll of twine is also mounted on the back of the box. It is needed to bundle an already received bale. We bale simply: put hay or straw inside, close the lid, turn the press, tie the resulting bale.

The metal version of the hand press is made in a similar way, with the only difference that the body is welded from steel sheets.

A baler is a type of agricultural equipment that is used to collect and compact hay that is left on the field after harvest. Subsequently, it is used as animal feed. To this end, they buy finished factory products or make their own hay press with their own hands.

The main division of such devices lies in the principle of their operation. According to this parameter, they are divided into roll, as well as bale. In turn, the latter is also divided into automatic and semi-automatic. Often, farmers create their own homemade hay presses. The principle of operation of such devices is as follows:

first, the pick-up collects dry raw materials from the ground;
then it gets to the press, where they are pressed and densely filled with a baler;
at the end, the raw material enters the packer.

Such bales or briquettes, based on the methods used, are tied up and then unloaded.

Hay presses are indispensable in agriculture

Round baler

This type of unit is considered the most popular today. The principle of their operation is that the spring bars of the device capture hay or straw from the ground, which is then fed into the unit. Then the raw material is twisted and pressed. The result is a mass that resembles a cylinder in shape, which is why the units got their name. The operation of automation starts after the roll of the required dimensions is reached. To begin with, it is packed with a net, and then it is unloaded by pushing it out of the press chamber.

By performing all these steps in automatic mode, this baling method shows high performance efficiency. When connected to the walk-behind tractor of this unit, it is possible to harvest about 20 tons of hay within 20 days.

The main advantage of this technique over large full-sized products is the creation of small in weight and size of rolls, which makes it possible to optimize the loading and subsequent transportation of raw materials to places of storage and use. In addition, the cost of this process is significantly less.

Bale aggregates

Through the use of this technique, hay bales are created that have a rectangular shape. Their principle of operation is as follows: first, the raw material enters the pressing compartment. How it gets there is determined by the type of device. So, there is a manual press, as well as automatic.

Manual

In this case, the materials enter the pressing chamber by manual feeding. Therefore, there is no need to connect to a walk-behind tractor or mini-transport. All stages of briquette formation are carried out manually.

Auto

Such units are equipped with a built-in motor. As a result, relatively small bales are obtained, and the shape they have makes it easier to transport them, as well as make optimal use of storage space.

In both cases, the pressing is carried out by the translational movements of the press, compressing the hay in the chamber to the desired density. Upon reaching it, the finished bale is bundled with a twine and its subsequent unloading onto the field. These types of equipment are often used, but to achieve profitability they must be used to process medium or large areas.

Bale press

In order to make a hay baler with your own hands, it is important to pre-prepare everything necessary materials, as well as tools and conduct study drawings. Such units consist of a drum, a pressing belt, special movable rollers, as well as knitting devices.

Usage homemade models allows you to collect small rolls, convenient for loading and transportation.

materials

To assemble a hay press yourself, you will need to prepare:

Running element equipped with a rigid base where the press box will be installed.
The skeleton necessary for mounting all the nodes on it.
Pick-up equipped with a special transport belt.
Chamber-casing, having a cylindrical shape, a press, as well as a gearbox.

The more power the walk-behind tractor used will have, the higher the chance of achieving the desired speed at which the rollers will rotate. The level of performance of a homemade device depends on this.

Design features

By design, such a mechanism is a large box made of wood or steel. It must be rigidly attached to a frame made of metal profiles. When the box does not have a lid, a folding door is made, resembling a gate in appearance.

Gate device

In the process of processing the box with slats, it is important not to forget about creating a door. To make it the most simple method considered to be the fastening of a classic folding gate. For its installation fastening door hinges. In order for it to be tightly held during the pressing process, it is important to further strengthen it by installing metal rails. In this case, they are fixed in such a way that it is possible to install a valve between them, which extends beyond the side edges of the door for a certain distance. Outside, a lever is made that allows you to change its position, thereby fixing or opening the gate.

Homemade hand press

Main part

The body of the device itself is made of wood or metal. So, it is required to attach a bar to the back of the box, approximately 2 times the height of the box. After that, two more beams are mounted parallel to it at a distance that allows you to install a beam between them. It should be able to rotate 180 degrees around the axis. Further, at the other end of this beam, the very sole of the future press is installed, which should be able to perform similar half-turns.

The shape, as well as the area of \u200b\u200bthe future sole, is determined by the dimensions of the structure itself. In order for the piston to be able to move freely inside the box, a clearance of about 0.7 cm is left on the sides. After that, a special coil is installed on the back of the box, on which a thick fishing line or twine is wound. On the opposite side, where the door is located, several narrow holes are made, which are required to bind the finished briquettes.

Assembly

The process of mounting all the elements of a homemade press among themselves is as follows:

First, the undercarriage is assembled, which is a base consisting of several pneumatic wheels.
Next, the windshield is installed, and after the pick-up, along with the transport belt.
Now the press is mounted, as well as the box in the form of an integral and independent tool. In addition to the bottom of the box, rollers are installed. After that, the plate is fixed on the spring, which is located on top of the box. It is used to press down the hay before it is rolled up.
Next, the drive is mounted, for which the cardan shaft is connected to the gearbox.
At the end, large gears are installed on the pick-up. And here it is important to understand that the larger their diameter, the greater the speed of selection.

Mowers, rakes, a baler for a walk-behind tractor are those devices that greatly increase the functionality of the unit, allowing it to perform a wide range of agricultural work. Harvesting hay and cleaning lawns are the main areas of work, where you can’t do without a mower and other equipment on the site.

We list all the nozzles on the walk-behind tractor, which are designed to facilitate the work of harvesting livestock feed and lawn care:

Mowers.
Trimmers.
Rake.
Balers.
Tedders.

We offer a fuller acquaintance with the varieties of each category of attachments.

Mowers for motoblock

Increasingly, you can see how the owners of cottages and small farms perform haymaking with a walk-behind tractor. There are several varieties of this equipment, which differ not only in appearance, but also in the principle of operation.

On the market you can find and pick up the following modifications:

rotary mowers;
frontal;

Frontal models are divided into two categories:

segment;
flail.

Rotary mower with walk-behind tractor

Choosing attachments for yourself, you should consider the following features:

How the grass will be laid:

in rolls - this option will allow you to quickly form a stack without the involvement of additional equipment (rakes);
in mowing - the grass covers the lawn in an even layer, additional equipment will be required for its collection and laying;
mulching - the grass is crushed, becoming a natural fertilizer for plants (shrubs, trees, etc.).

bevel height:

5 cm;
up to 20 cm.

Capture width- depends on the specific model.

Aggregation method with motorized device:

in front of the walk-behind tractor - the most popular option;
behind are flail lawn mowers, which are used more and more for the cultivation of lawns;
on the side (half-mounted) - the supporting wheel takes on the main weight of the mower, such models are more relevant for mini-tractors.
The power of the mowing unit. The higher it is, the more functional the nozzle - with its help it will be possible to mow not only grass, but also shrubs, young trees up to 3.5 cm in diameter.
Frequency of rotation of the working bodies of the mower.

Rotary mower

The rotary nozzle on the walk-behind tractor can be attached in all three ways (rear, front, side), depending on the location of the cutting elements of a particular mower model.

The nozzle is used complete with an adapter that turns the walk-behind tractor into a mini-tractor. The working body is raised with the help of a lever and lowered by it. Work is carried out with the rake lowered.

Installation of this canopy is possible both in the front of the walk-behind tractor (there is a special rotary mechanism) and in its rear part. The rake is made of durable steel, protected by a special anti-corrosion coating, and has a long service life.

If desired, the owners of garden equipment can make a rake for a walk-behind tractor with their own hands, for this there are many descriptions, detailed drawings and videos on the Internet.

Rake “Sun”

Rake-tedders for the “Solnyshko” walk-behind tractor consist of a tubular frame, on which from two to four independently rotating disks can be attached. These tedders are ideal for areas with uneven terrain.
The discs are equipped with high quality bearings and are fixed to the frame with special holders. The processing width can reach more than 2 m. This equipment is mounted at the rear of the walk-behind tractor and is suitable for both domestic units and Chinese technology. If desired, the “Sun” rake can also be aggregated with a small tractor.

A short video will tell you how this tedder rake for a walk-behind tractor works:

Belt rake

Belt rakes also belong to the category of tedders. They can be purchased in stores, or made with your own hands from improvised materials. How to make a rake on a walk-behind tractor will personally tell and show the video:

This equipment allows you to quickly form a stack, capturing and transferring cut grass, hay and even dried forage crops.

Tedders, whether "Sun" or belt type, are much more productive than their transverse counterparts, their design is more complex, and the requirements for operation are increased. In addition, it is important to use them for transferring hay from one side (dried) to the other, for faster drying.

Press balers

This device allows the owner land plot not only to carefully select the mowed hay or grass, freeing the soil for further processing, but also pack them compactly and prepare them for further transportation. The press baler for a walk-behind tractor can be of two types:

Tyukovy.
Roll.

Basically, due to the more compact size and simpler design, private households prefer to use roll-up awnings. Bale - more characteristic of farms.

Round press baler

The press sorter roll for the motor-block forms rolls from hay or straw.

Round press baler

The material is captured by the pick-up and enters the drum compartment, where, under the influence of the grate, it is twisted into a roll.
The sound signal will notify the operator of the walk-behind tractor that the roll has reached required size and density.
The roll is tied with twine, after which the back wall of the drum opens and the finished product rolls out.
The outer part of the roll is denser than the inner part, which ensures excellent air circulation. In addition, the rolls have the same weight and dimensions.

At a price, a rolled hay baler is more affordable than a bale baler; if desired, you can purchase a mini press baler for a walk-behind tractor, which will allow owners summer cottages and private estates to improve the procedure for procuring fodder for livestock.

How it all happens, the video will help to understand:

Bale press baler

The bale-type walk-behind tractor works on a different principle. Hay enters the pressing chamber in the same way with the help of an auger, then the chamber is filled to the stop and the knitting mechanism starts - two threads tie a rectangular bale, after which it is pushed out. In bale-type units, it is possible to adjust the density and height of the finished bale, in addition, rectangular blocks of hay or straw are more convenient to store and transport.

We offer you to watch a video review of the operation of the baler baler:

Another useful canopy powered by a walk-behind tractor is a do-it-yourself straw cutter. It will help to grind the feed just before serving it to the pets. The walk-behind tractor drives the cutting knives.

How it happens - we suggest watching the video:

The baler is widely used in all soil and climatic zones. Today, the baler is a demanded soil-cultivating equipment.

In small farms, this essential helper is in demand when harvesting bedding material and roughage. Baled hay stores better and takes up less space.

How a baler works

Such trailed equipment for a walk-behind tractor is used in small farm fields, in large agricultural enterprises. The technical processing of the mass cut by the mower is performed by a baler. He collects fresh cut green grass, forms windrows with cut dry stems of cereals with residual moisture up to 26%. The hay press then sends the mass to the packer's receiving device. The unit neatly stacks dry plants in a compact bale and unloads pressed bales.

Benefits of using hay making machines:

the use of a baler significantly reduces the drying time, hay loss;
labor costs are reduced by 3-4 times;
in the future, the quality of hay during storage and transportation is significantly improved;
you can independently adjust the attachment.

Varieties of pickers

There are 2 main types of agricultural units for harvesting high-quality hay. How to choose the right model in the economy?

Round baler

Today, this type of mechanism for harvesting dried plant stems is the most common. The spring teeth of the unit pick up the grass mass laid in the rolls. Next, the baler tightly rolls each portion of hay into cylinder-shaped bales. The spring fingers of the baler feed the swath into the pressing mechanism. New portions of dry grass are continuously loaded. Bale density increases as hay weight increases. The efficiency of the mini tractor baler has been proven in practice.

In the hay baler, the dry grass mass rotates in the bale chamber. The baler gives a signal when a perfectly even bale of the required density has been formed.

The tensioner turns on when the required size of the roll is reached, followed by twine wrapping. Packed hay is pushed out by a special mechanism.

Using a baler for a minitractor, you can harvest up to 20 tons of straw in 20 summer days. There is no need to monitor the operation of the equipment continuously. The mini-tractor continues to move, and a tightly tied, densely formed bale remains on the field. The hay pick-up for the walk-behind tractor must have a roll-type design.

In all areas of flat land use, the Russian model PPR-120 Pelikan is widely used. The semi-trailer machine is controlled and serviced by a machine operator. The hay press forms a straw bale weighing up to 270 kg, 1.2 m long. The baling chamber is protected from damage and foreign objects.

The fast double winding mechanism works well. The unit has an operating speed of 9 km/h. Efficiency of roll unloading is ensured by a special slide with powerful springs. The domestic model PPR-50 weighs 350 kg and forms rolls weighing up to 20 kg. The unit successfully works with equipment with a capacity of 10-80 hp. With. and is of low cost.

For a small farm, you can purchase a baler for walk-behind tractors. The equipment qualitatively forms rolls of cut grass. The package, the size of which exceeds the norm, is thrown onto the field with the help of special device. How can you make a hay press with your own hands? For farmers, this can be a profitable solution.

Farm owners are always willing to purchase a maneuverable mini round baler. This unit works great in large areas. It is quite possible for one person to transport a small bale of hay.

The round mini baler is small in size and affordable in price. Without the use of a mini-tractor, a modern farm cannot function. About 50 varieties of pick-ups can be used by the owner of agricultural equipment not big size. On small lands and areas, farmers prefer to use a baler for a mini tractor.

The RXYK 0870 hay press is compatible with a mini tractor with a power of 30 hp or more. With. Such a unit forms up to 100 rolls of hay within an hour. For a mini tractor with a power of 20 hp or more. the pick-up RXYK 0850 is perfect, which creates up to 120 grass cylinders within an hour. Rolls are 50×70 cm.

The device is easy to maintain, repair and use. Large cylindrical herbal bags take up a lot of space, as they have a large volume. When transporting rolled hay, special equipment is needed, since significant problems arise.

Bale balers

Such units produce rectangular hay bales, which have different sizes. The dried grass in the windrows is captured by the spring teeth of the unit and fed into a special compartment for pressing. The dimensions of the briquette are regulated by technology. The knitting device works at the set pressure parameters of the grass mass. High-quality bales are firmly packed, tied with twine. Then the block is thrown onto the field.

Pick-up PPL-F-1.6 "Kyrgyzstan" is still in demand, because it has a low cost. Its payback does not exceed 2-3 months. However, its performance is not high enough. In 7 working hours it forms 875 bales. There is an acute problem with the availability of parts and repairs. The Tukan 1600 semi-trailer bale unit is distinguished by the durability of the drive mechanism, long work Without stops. Bales weighing 10-50 kg are formed. The Belarusian square baler PT-165 has gained popularity. The machine forms bales with adjustable density. The length of a briquette tied with synthetic twine is 1.2 m. In Russia, it is unprofitable to use imported large-pack balers.

This type of mechanism has many advantages. The popularity of this equipment among agricultural producers is growing noticeably. Small-sized bales are formed, having a mass of up to 20 kg. Transporting hay in small bales is not difficult. A manual or mechanized method of unloading bales is used.

It is necessary to mention the pros and cons of this type. Significantly increases labor productivity. The density of the bale is adjustable. The drive is reliably protected from breakage, since solid foreign objects that accidentally get inside the mechanism are removed through the pulley. A square baler pays for its high cost only on large areas, provided a sufficiently high yield. Such units require constant careful maintenance.

Homemade hay making machines

To save money, many people try to build a DIY baler. A homemade hay press will be cheaper, but not every farmer will be able to get a good result, since it is technically difficult to do this.

Some home craftsmen create a simple do-it-yourself baler using lumber, running timber. A large box of boards is independently created. The horizontal hay loading method is used. A screw or rack jack is used as a press. On the door hinges holding the locking mechanism.

With this device, you can press and knit straw bales. A homemade hay press in the form of a large box, a hydraulic press, a pressing chamber can often be seen on the farm. Standard polypropylene twine ties the block. It is important to make a quality hay bale so that the blocks do not fall apart during transportation.

Criterias of choice

How to choose a baler? The performance of such equipment during operation is evaluated according to the following criteria:

Profitability. Reasonable saving of resources. Power consumption.
Unit performance, dynamism. The device must work without interruption. Ease of use.
Active energetic functionality. Pressing density, gripping width, bale weight parameters, throughput.
Durability, reliability of the model. Efficiency for a long time.
The size of the cultivated area is an important indicator of the choice of equipment.
The cost of the car matters, but this is not the most important criterion.

Conclusion

For the mechanization of haymaking can be used homemade press for hay or purchase the necessary equipment with a margin of safety and durability.

It is necessary to take full responsibility for the choice of the necessary model of a baler for a walk-behind tractor for your farm. When choosing a unit, you should carefully study the recommendations of the manufacturer. Balers of bale and roll types are most often used in domestic agriculture. Their application allows you to get more profit by reducing waste when performing field work.

Choose for yourself the model that is needed on the farm. Your business can be profitable.