Sage-Tips

What are the cylinders of hay called?

The most common type of baler in industrialized countries today is the round baler. It produces cylinder-shaped “round” or “rolled” bales. The design has a “thatched roof” effect that withstands weather. Grass is rolled up inside the baler using rubberized belts, fixed rollers, or a combination of the two.

Why is hay stacked?

Not only does this deter mice from gnawing on the strings of the bale, it also allows moisture to run down through the stack to the bottom layer. Hay should be stacked in a crisscross manner, one layer in one direction and the next layer the other direction etc.

How are bales of hay made?

Farmers cut hay in the field and let it dry for several days in the sun. Then they raked the dried hay into rows and ran baling equipment over the rows. This produced the bales. Storage is key to keeping this crop ready to be fed to animals in the winter.

Why are some hay bales Square?

The hay itself – alfalfa and grasses – has increased in nutritive value. Back in the 1950s and 60s, most hay was put up in square bales. These rectangular-shaped bales usually weighed 50-60 pounds. They were shaped in a way that they could be stacked in a hayloft or barn until they were needed.

Why is hay baled?

Hay is made from the stems, leaves, and seed heads of plants that are fresh. It is cut and baled when it has the most nutritional value, and is fed to livestock.

Why is some hay rolled instead of baled?

Why do they do that? Farmers often bale hay in large round bales instead of small square bales because they require less labor to bale and move than small square bales. The shape of round bales enables them to be stored outside, something you would never do with square bales.

What is a stack of hay?

A haystack is a pile or bundle of hay. Haystacks come in different shapes and sizes, including piles of rectangular blocks of hay; rounded bales; and pointed piles of hay. These haystacks are all packed tightly, and they’re often covered to protect them from the rain.

What is the meaning of stack of hay?

1 an ordered pile or heap. 2 a large orderly pile of hay, straw, etc., for storage in the open air.

When was hay first baled?

The first hay baling equipment was invented in the late 1800s. These early baling machines were stationary, and the hay had to come to it. Hay was carried by hand to wagons that then took the hay to these early balers, where the machine pressed the hay into square bales.

What is difference between straw and hay?

Hay is a crop that is grown and harvested as a feed crop for cattle, horses and other farm animals. Straw on the other hand is a byproduct of a grain crop; in our area it’s usually usually wheat straw that we see. Straw on the other hand, is much better for use as a garden mulch.

What is the size of a rectangular bale of hay?

“The small rectangular bale is about 14 by 16 inches in cross section with lengths up to 50 inches,” says Rotz. “An advantage of small rectangular bales is that the 55- to 75-pound bale can be manually handled in stacking and feeding. A disadvantage is that this bale handling is labor-intensive.”.

What are the different types of hay balers?

“Hay balers are available that produce bales of many sizes and shapes. Advantages and disadvantages are associated with each. Small rectangular bales, often referred to as square bales, have been the most popular over the past 50 years. Now, large round and rectangular bales are becoming the dominant hay packages.”

Are rollers better than belts or chains for baling hay?

“However, rollers may require less maintenance than belts or chains. “Large round balers come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest balers produce a full-sized bale that is approximately 4 feet wide by 5 feet in diameter. The largest balers make bales that are 8 feet wide by 6 feet in diameter.

What is a variable chamber round baler?

“In a variable chamber, flat belts or chains with slats contain the bale from its initial formation until completion, and can make a bale with uniform density. Some round baler models have twin bale chambers. In one chamber, formation of a new bale begins while a bale is being wrapped, tied and ejected from the second chamber.