Baling twine is used to secure hay bales. The type of twine you use will ultimately determine the lifespan and durability of your bales.
Various kinds of baling twine Australia are available, ranging from polypropylene to sisal, to suit different purposes and balers. Selecting one will depend on your needs and which model of baler you use.
Uses
Baling twine is a robust string-like cord used to secure bales of materials such as hay, paper products and recyclables. While traditionally, it was constructed using natural fibres like sisal for this purpose, more recently, it can also be manufactured from synthetic materials like polyester.
Wire rope can also serve several other uses around a farm or ranch, from braiding it into lead lines for horses to fashioning it into baskets, weaving it into belts and twisting it into hammocks.
Some farmers employ baling twine as a management strategy to increase feed utilisation efficiency and stimulate spring regrowth in hay fields. This approach utilises small round bales bound with natural fibre twine left behind for livestock to graze on, keeping areas drier while minimising wear and compaction.
Baling involves threading twine through a machine known as a baler. This specialised machine was explicitly created to bind bales and can come in different types and strengths. Finding suitable baler twine will ensure optimal performance with less strain placed upon machine parts during the production of high-density bales.
Most baling twine Australia comprises polypropylene (PP), an extremely tough and long-wearing plastic material. To produce it, melted PP must first be cut and shaped using refrigerated rollers before being cooled and stabilised to give it the softness necessary for knot forming. The process usually requires about 24 hours from start to finish and begins by melting sheets of material and rolling it on moulds before finally being stabilised to produce baler twine.
Twine should also be produced of high-grade virgin raw materials and free from chemical contamination to achieve knot formation and strength that meets industry standards and prevent machine damages that cause a loss in productivity. Poor-grade twine can harm knot formation and stability and cause injuries that lead to decreased business productivity.
Preparation
As part of making baling twine for use, the initial step involves selecting the appropriate polypropylene film and foaming agent. This selection will determine its elongation and resistance to breakage at breakage; its strength also relies on how wide polypropylene strips were used to construct it.
Once an ideal polypropylene film has been chosen, it is extruded to produce twine. A small amount of foaming agent is mixed into the polypropylene to create a soft and flexible foamed twine which is then twisted into its desired shape before being wound onto a bobbin for storage.
Once ready to use, polypropylene must be rewound into a ball that will feed directly into a baler. This process can either be carried out manually or using an Instron apparatus with semi-involute clamps and snubbing clamps that allow for semi-involute rolling surfaces.
Dependent upon the size and type of hay bales being baled, farmers may require bulk purchases of baling twine. It ensures they have plenty available should any issues arise or they run short during their season.
Safety
Baling twine has many practical applications – from tying hay bales and tools, wire fences, and other projects to keeping borders together – but it must also be remembered that it poses serious safety hazards on any farm.
Loose baling twine Australia in fields, stalls, and barns poses severe hazards to horses, livestock, and machinery. In addition, pieces that snag in manure spreaders can take hours for an operator to clear away, potentially leading to costly repairs.
When tying up a bale, only use high-grade twine made explicitly for this task. The lower-quality wire could result in knots, breaks, or other complications that ruin your baling day.
Your choice of twine depends on the type of baler and several bales that need to be made. A robust and durable thread will do well at tying up hundreds of bales without breaking or becoming trapped within the machine.
Baler twine can come in various colours and sizes to meet the diverse needs of farmers, making choosing an appropriate hue easier, helping you distinguish your bales, and showing when they were made.
Biodegradability should also be taken into account when purchasing baler twine. Animal-friendly biodegradable twine can prevent them from eating the twine and suffering digestive problems or death as a result.