A mini hay baler is a type of farming equipment that is designed to make the task of gathering and baling hay relatively quick and easy. Designed for use with single family and small commercial farms, these smaller balers can easily be towed behind a pickup truck or a small tractor. Models of this type are usually equipped with binding capability using twine or plastic strapping, and may even have features such as automatic ejection once the bale is complete.
The basic configuration of a hay baler includes an entry chute that serves as the point of introduction for the hay. Within the body of the equipment are components that help to compact and shape the hay into a workable bale. Also included are the mechanisms that help to secure the bale with the use of twine or plastic strapping. There are some models that even allow for the use of wire strapping to secure the bales. One final key aspect of the design is the exit chute, which may be automated for convenience or require manual intervention to remove the finished bale from the machinery.
Some designs for the mini hay baler are structured to allow the device to remain stationary while workers use pitchforks to feed hay into the entry chute. A different design allows the device to be equipped with a collection arm and hose that detaches and retrieves the hay as the machine is towed by a tractor or other type of small vehicle. The choice of the type of mini hay baler to use will often depend on the amount of acreage involved in the collection as well as the volume of hay that requires collecting and baling. In terms of cost, a basic baler with fewer features can be obtained for a low price, with the cost increasing as additional automated features are included.
While the mini hay baler is designed to gather and bale hay for storage or sale, the equipment can also be used for other applications. As part of a waste management process, the baler can also handle smaller plants like corn stalks, effectively compacting and baling the stalks for easy disposal. In like manner, this type of agricultural baler also works well for gathering and baling any type of tall grass, a task that can simplify landscaping a tract of land. The mini hay baler can even be used effectively to retrieve, compact, and bundle pine straw that can be stored for later use as mulch or sold for profit.