What causes misshapen round bales?
Lopsided bale?
Lopsided bale?
Check whether you’re feeding more crop into one side of the chamber.
Hourglass-shaped bale?
Look at the consistency and distribution of the windrow, as well as how you’re driving across it.
Barrel-shaped bale?
Check whether the centre of the windrow is significantly heavier than the edges, or whether crop is being distributed unevenly through the chamber.
Bale losing its shape after stacking?
Review the bale density and whether the bale was sufficiently firm when it left the chamber.
Netwrap not reaching the edges?
Check the baler settings, netwrap application and whether you’re using a product that provides the coverage you need.
The important thing is not to automatically blame one part of the process.
Bale shape is the result of several things working together.
Don't overlook the way you handle the finished bale
Even a well made bale can be damaged after it leaves the baler.
Careful handling helps maintain the shape you’ve worked hard to create.
Avoid unnecessarily rough handling, particularly when bales are being moved shortly after baling. When stacking, make sure the stack is stable and consider how the pressure of the bales above will affect those underneath.
For silage bales, protecting the wrap from damage is particularly important. A punctured or damaged package can allow air into the bale and compromise forage quality.
Good baling doesn’t finish when the bale leaves the chamber.
A better bale starts with the basics
Producing consistently shaped round bales doesn’t necessarily require complicated changes.
Start by looking at the basics:
1. Make an even windrow
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2. Feed the chamber evenly
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3. Set the right density
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4. Use the right wrapping system
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5. Handle and store the finished bale carefully
When these stages work together, you’re giving yourself a much better chance of producing firm, consistent bales that hold their shape from the field through to storage and feeding.
And if your bale shape isn’t quite where you want it to be, don’t change everything at once.
Look at the windrow first. Then your driving technique. Then the baler settings. Finally, look at the wrapping.
Sometimes a small change at one stage can make a big difference to the finished bale.
Need help getting your bales right?
If you’re struggling with bale shape, density or wrapping, Tama Assist can help you work through the problem.
Tama’s team can look at the conditions you’re working in and help identify practical ways to improve your baling setup.
Because when you’re making hundreds or thousands of bales in a season, getting the basics right on every bale can make a big difference.
Better shaped bales. Better protected forage. A better baling job.
That’s what good baling is all about.
