Loose recycled material is usually lightweight but takes up a lot of empty, wasted space. The cost to transport and store recyclable materials that are not compacted can be substantial. But, by using a downstroke baler to compress the materials and reduce the size, you can save money, time, and space. Downstroke balers, or vertical balers, work by using hydraulics to condense the size. The loose materials are compacted into a dense bale and tied with twine or wire into a storable and easier to transport bale. When looking to purchase a downstroke baler, gather some information upfront so you get the right downstroke baler for your needs.
Before Buying a Downstroke Baler….
- What is the footprint area of where the baler will be installed? If your backroom or available area is small, there are also downstroke balers, such as the M30STD, that take up a small footprint to fit in the space you have available.
- What will be the approximate volume of your recyclables? Depending on how much volume of recyclables that you process and what size of bales you want to produce, you may prefer a downstroke baler to make a small 260 lb, 30″ wide bale (such as the M30HD), or a baler that produces a 1400 lb., 60″ wide bale (such as our most popular downstroke baler, the M60STD).
- What materials will you be baling? Are they varied or specific? – Many balers are known for being very versatile and can process a variety of different materials. Others, such as the M60CB for cardboard, or the BCB2003 ExtractPack for bottles and cans, are specially designed to handle specific materials.
- What size and weight of bales does your material buyer prefer? It is important to know what your material buy wants for bale size and weight so you can meet their requirements and maximize profits. Here are some tips on finding recycling centers to buy your recyclables.
- What storage area do you have for bales? You will need to have a storage area for bales until they are ready to be shipped to the hauler. Your production demands and bale size are also important components when determining your needed storage area. Often times, the realization is that the storage area needed for baled and compressed recyclables is much less compared to loose recyclable materials.
- What ram pressure do is needed on the downstroke baler? Downstroke balers that offer high ram pressure can process material efficiently without sacrificing bale weights or speed. In cases where you want to reach your maximum weight on a semi-truck or container, consider a downstroke baler that produces extra-dense bales, such as the T60XD, which has the greatest ram pressure of any Harmony Enterprises Inc. baler.
You may also be interested in reading:
Understanding Vertical Baler Model Numbers
Vertical Baler or Horizontal Baler – How to Choose
Vertical Baler Exceeds Candy Company’s Expectations
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Do you have questions about downstroke balers or other recycling and waste management products? Our team at Harmony Enterprises, Inc. is here to help. Our goal is not to just manufacture equipment, but to help people and business around the world to reduce waste and recycle. Call us at (507) 886-6666 or fill out this simple form.
