Small hay bale compressor

[Kim Cooney]

I’m trying to sell 4kg lots of hay. I’dk like to box it. Currently using a homemade compressor made from a hydronic car jack and compressing plastic bags of hay, tying them with sticky tape and baling twine. Need ideas to make a better compressor so bags of hay can be compressed and fit into a box.

 

[r9nger_hf]

If you want to stick with your current press and just improve the bundling, you can get a wire twister or bag-tie tool. But if you're willing to invest a little more, try to look for a used mini hay baler or small trash compactor. They might be a little big for your 4kg lots, but some can be adjusted. Plus, they're designed for this kind of work, so they'll give you a much cleaner, tighter bale that'll fit into your boxes perfectly without all the hassle!

 

[Jack W]

If you want to stick with your current press and just improve the bundling, you can get a wire twister or bag-tie tool. But if you're willing to invest a little more, try to look for a used mini hay baler or small trash compactor. They might be a little big for your 4kg lots, but some can be adjusted. Plus, they're designed for this kind of work, so they'll give you a much cleaner, tighter bale that'll fit into your boxes perfectly without all the hassle!

Thanks for sharing! I'm in Oregon and just started bundling recycled denim scraps for a small craft biz. I've been using a basic hand press, but it's slow and messy. Curious though how tricky is it to adjust a mini baler for smaller loads like 4kg? And do they need special power hookups, or can they run on a regular outlet?

 

[Xela1657]

You'll want to build a compression chamber that can be made from wood or metal. Imagine it like a hay press, but with a front panel that swings open. You'll also need to attach your hydraulic jack. This will be the brain of your setup, pushing down from above with a steel plate that fits perfectly inside the chamber. To keep everything running smoothly, consider adding some guide rails. They'll help ensure that the compression plate stays nice and straight, so you won't have to deal with any jams.

 

[vmxguy]

You can try building a simple wooden frame with a sliding press plate that can be pushed down using a bottle jack. This gives you more control over the shape and pressure.