Netwrap Not Cutting Properly? Five Checks to Get Your Baler Back on Track
A clean netwrap cut is something you probably don’t think about until it stops happening.
If the net is tearing rather than cutting, leaving tails behind or failing to separate from the bale altogether, it can quickly turn a straightforward baling job into a frustrating one. And when you’re trying to make the most of a short weather window, stopping to investigate a netwrap problem is the last thing you need.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can check before assuming there’s a major problem with your baler.
Here are five areas worth investigating if your netwrap isn’t cutting as it should.
1. Start with the cutting knife
The knife is an obvious place to start when the net isn’t separating cleanly.
A blade that has become blunt, chipped or damaged may struggle to cut through the net properly. Instead of making a clean cut, it can pull or tear the material, leaving loose strands or a ragged edge on the bale.
Those loose strands can cause further problems if they become caught around rollers, chains or other moving parts. A poor cut can also affect the way the net is applied to the next bale.
What to do:
With the baler safely switched off and secured, inspect the knife for signs of wear or damage. Depending on its condition and your baler’s design, it may need sharpening or replacing.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before removing or working on the cutting mechanism. The correct procedure will vary between different makes and models.
2. Clear away crop debris and keep the rollers clean
Baling creates plenty of dust, chaff and crop residue, and some of it will inevitably find its way into the net feeding and cutting system.
Net fibres can also build up around the knife, while dirt or residue on the rollers can affect how consistently the net is pulled through the baler.
If the knife cannot move through its full range of travel, or the net isn’t being held and fed correctly, you can end up with an incomplete cut.
What to do:
Include the net feeding and cutting system as part of your regular baler cleaning routine. Remove crop material and loose net fibres from around the knife, rollers and other areas that come into contact with the net.
It’s a simple job, but keeping these areas clean can help prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones during a busy day of baling.
3. Check net tension and the brake system
The net needs to be fed under the correct amount of tension for the baler to apply it properly and cut it consistently.
If the net is too slack, the cutting system may struggle to make a clean separation. Excessive tension can create a different set of problems, potentially causing the net to stretch, tear or break before the cutting cycle is complete.
The braking system and feed roll settings therefore deserve a closer look if you’ve ruled out problems with the knife and rollers.
What to do:
Check your baler’s operator’s manual for the recommended net tension and brake settings for your particular machine.
It’s also worth checking the brake components themselves. Worn pads, damaged springs or other components that aren’t operating correctly can affect the amount of tension being applied.
If the problem has appeared gradually rather than suddenly, it may also be worth having the braking and feeding system checked as part of your routine baler servicing.
4. Look for a problem with the cutting mechanism
Sometimes the blade itself is perfectly fine, but something is stopping it from completing its job.
The cutting mechanism needs to travel through its full range and apply enough force to make a consistent cut. Depending on the design of your baler, a number of components can affect this.
These could include worn pivot points or pins, weak springs, a faulty actuator or an electrical problem preventing the mechanism from operating correctly.
What to do:
Watch the cutting mechanism carefully (but only when it is safe to do so) and check that it is completing its full movement.
If the mechanism isn’t responding correctly, the cause could be mechanical or electrical. Some worn components may be relatively straightforward to replace, while electrical faults can require more investigation.
Use the diagnostic procedure in your baler’s operator’s manual as your starting point. If you’re still unable to identify the problem, your local dealer or qualified baler technician should be able to help.
5. Don't overlook the netwrap
If the baler checks out but you’re still experiencing tearing or poor cuts, it’s worth considering the netwrap itself.
Not all netwrap performs in the same way. Product quality, condition and storage can all have an effect on how the material behaves during feeding and cutting.
Netwrap that has been exposed to moisture, sunlight or poor storage conditions can deteriorate over time. A roll that has been stored correctly should retain its performance far better than one that has spent months exposed to the elements.
What to do:
Check the roll before loading it into the baler. Look for signs of damage, contamination or deterioration and make sure the netwrap has been stored in a dry, protected environment.
Using a good quality netwrap designed to perform consistently in demanding baling conditions can also help reduce the risk of problems.
At Tama, our netwrap is designed to provide consistent feeding, reliable bale coverage and dependable performance throughout the baling process.
You can find out more about the Tama netwrap range here.
A clean cut starts with the whole system
When netwrap isn’t cutting properly, it’s easy to focus immediately on the knife. But as we’ve seen, the cutting process depends on several parts of the baler working together.
The blade needs to be in good condition. The rollers need to feed the net consistently. Tension and braking need to be correctly set, and the cutting mechanism itself needs to complete its full movement.
And, of course, the netwrap needs to be in good condition too.
Working through these checks methodically can often identify the cause of the problem without unnecessary downtime.
If you’ve checked the obvious causes and are still struggling to get a clean netwrap cut, Tama Assist is here to help. Our team has extensive experience of baling challenges and can provide practical advice to help you get back to producing well covered, quality bales.
Need help with a baling problem? Talk to Tama Assist, your helping hand in baling.
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