Round Baler Storage: Get Your Baler Ready for the Next Season
Once the last bales are made and the baler is back in the yard, it can be tempting to park it up and forget about it until next year.
But a little time spent looking after your baler now can save plenty of hassle when the next silage, hay or straw season gets underway. A clean, well maintained machine is much easier to get back into action, particularly when the first decent weather window of the season arrives and you need to make the most of it.
So, before you put the keys away for the winter, here are five things worth doing to prepare your round baler for storage.
1. Give the baler a proper clean
Crop residue, dust and chaff can find their way into all sorts of places during a busy baling season. While the pickup and bale chamber may be the obvious areas to clean, don’t forget about the less accessible parts of the machine.
Pay particular attention to areas around belts, rollers, bearings, chains and other moving components. Leftover crop material can hold moisture against metal surfaces and contribute to corrosion, while accumulated debris can cause problems with moving parts when the baler is brought back into use.
Compressed air or a leaf blower can be useful for removing dry material from awkward areas.
If the baler needs a more thorough wash, a steam cleaner can help shift stubborn deposits. Take care around bearings, electrical components and rubber parts, and avoid directing high-pressure water where it could cause damage.
Once washing is complete, blow away any remaining moisture with compressed air and allow the machine to dry properly before putting it away.
2. Release belt tension where appropriate
If you run a variable chamber round baler, storage is a good time to check the belt tension.
Leaving belts under tension for long periods can place unnecessary stress on the belts and other components. Depending on the make and model of your baler, there may be a recommended procedure for reducing belt tension during storage.
It’s worth checking the operator’s manual rather than guessing, as the correct process can vary between machines.
Taking a few minutes to set the baler up correctly now could help extend component life and leave you with less to sort out when the next season starts.
Don't forget the grease gun
With the machine clean, it’s much easier to work your way around the baler and identify all the lubrication points.
Check your operator’s manual for the recommended lubrication schedule and make sure the relevant grease points are serviced before the baler goes into storage. Many machines use clearly marked grease points, making it easier to work systematically around the baler.
The chains should also be lubricated with a suitable chain lubricant.
Good lubrication helps protect moving components from moisture and corrosion while the baler is sitting idle. It also means you’re not starting the next season with components that have spent months exposed to the elements without protection.
It’s also worth looking around the bale chamber for exposed areas of bare metal. Applying a suitable protective coating, such as a lanolin-based product or another oil based corrosion barrier, can help protect these surfaces during storage.
This is particularly important where damaged or worn areas could later catch or damage your netwrap.
4. Check the machine for wear and damage
The end of the season is one of the best opportunities to have a proper look over your baler.
During the busy part of the season, small problems can easily be overlooked when the priority is getting the next field finished. Once the machine is cleaned down, however, worn or damaged components are much easier to spot.
Check belts, rollers, bearings, pickup components, chains, guards and other working parts for signs of wear or damage. Also look for anything that may have become loose or needs attention before the machine goes back to work.
Make a note of anything that needs repairing or replacing and, where possible, get it sorted during the quieter months.
That way, when conditions are right for baling next season, you’re ready to go rather than waiting for parts or trying to fix a problem in the middle of a busy weather window.
Give your baler somewhere dry to spend the winter
Where you store the baler can make a big difference to how it comes out of storage.
Ideally, keep it inside a dry shed where it is protected from rain and prolonged exposure to the weather. This helps reduce the risk of corrosion and protects components such as belts, seals and other rubber parts.
If indoor storage isn’t possible, cover the baler with a good quality, weatherproof cover designed for machinery. Make sure the cover allows appropriate ventilation and doesn’t simply trap condensation against the machine.
A few minutes spent checking the storage area and preparing the baler properly can make a big difference over several months of downtime.
A little preparation now can save time next season
The end of baling season might feel like the time to switch off and forget about the baler until next year. But getting the machine clean, lubricated, inspected and stored correctly now means one less job to worry about when the weather finally gives you a chance to get back into the field.
And don’t forget your baling consumables either. If you’ve got netwrap, twine or other products left over from the season, make sure they’re stored correctly so they’re ready to perform when you need them again.
If you need help with a baling problem, whether you’re preparing your machine for storage or getting ready for the next season, the team at Tama Assist is here to help. Our experts can provide practical advice to help you get the best from your baling operation.
Helping you get the most out of every bale
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