Cardboard balers improve efficiency in cardboard recycling and waste handling, and are an important tool for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Learn about the benefits, considerations, and how-to’s of buying a cardboard baler such as those from Harmony Enterprises–a leading manufacturer of balers, compactors and recycling equipment.
How do balers work?
Balers come in all shapes and sizes, but the way they operate is basically the same. Cardboard is loaded evenly into an empty chamber until it is full, the main door is closed, and a hydraulic ram compacts the cardboard into a uniform size of bale. Once it reaches its desired size and weight, the bale is manually tied by wire or nylon string and ejected from the baler to be hauled away for recycling.
Watch this video about how to make the perfect cardboard bale!
What types of balers are there?
There is a baler for every product, industry, and use. Harmony Enterprises offers a full line of 14 different cardboard recycling balers. They come in both vertical and horizontal configurations, and range in size from 30″ like our M30HD all the way up to our large 60″ horizontal baler, the H60XL.
Some of them, such as our M42BC, come with casters and can be wheeled through a normal-sized doorway and plugged into a single or three phase outlet. Others, like our M60MD, are made in a low profile design to work in areas that have height restrictions.
If you need help with buying a cardboard baler, read this great blog on how to Choose the Right Harmony Baler Model. If you know you need a vertical baler for your operation, Vertical Balers By Harmony might be another helpful resource for you.
How much does a cardboard bale weigh and how big is it?

Harmony’s M60CB Vertical Cardboard Baler makes mill sized bales.
Balers differ in width, height and in what they are designed to recycle. They are also configured to operate with different cylinder sizes and varying degrees of pressure applied to the recycled material. All of these factors help to determine the weight and size of the resulting bale.
Bales range anywhere from 3-6 feet in width and 200-1000+lbs depending on the product being baled.
Bale size and weight depend on the need of every end user. Some businesses have limited space and/or equipment to move bales. Others desire maximum return on their recycling loads and opt to make a 60″ and up to 1000 lb, or mill-sized bale.
What are the advantages of baling OCC?
There are many advantages to recycling cardboard. Here are just a few:
- Reduce clutter, fire hazards, and vermin in your work area.
- Reduce the amount of material added to the waste stream and landfills. Some states are mandating this a new legislation in 2018.
- Earn additional revenue in recycling for your business.
How much does buying a cardboard baler cost?
Baler pricing varies as much as the types of cardboard balers available. Additional options, such as conveyors, add cost to your machine.
New balers will cost more than a used balers, but often come with a more comprehensive warranty and will last for years, offering a return on your investment.
When buying a cardboard baler, it is important to weigh out purchase price versus potential rental options, like those offered through Harmony Equipment Rental.
Harmony’s knowledgeable and courteous sales team will work with you to ensure that you get the right solution for your needs at an affordable price.
The true value in buying a baler comes when you receive the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership. Your baler needs to last well beyond the lifespan of the warranty and be relatively maintenance free during its life cycle. Harmony Enterprises is unique in that we offer the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership combined with Innovation and a True Partnership Approach.
What is the average lifespan of a baler?
The lifespan of a baler depends largely on how it was used and maintained over the years. A baler that is loaded properly and has received required periodic maintenance should stand the test of time.

This Harmony baler has been in use for 37 years! Now, that’s a Return On Investment!
How long? Harmony balers have been known to be in use well over 20 years, and many over 30 years. We ran a fun social media campaign this summer called, Show Us Your Baler, in which we heard from several customers who used these long-lasting recycling machines.
Harmony balers are built to exceed OSHA and ANSI safety standards and are designed to last.
Harmony Enterprises is proud to provide so many satisfied customers with the right vertical and horizontal baler solution. If you would like to learn more about quality cardboard baling equipment, or have other questions about waste handling and recycling for your business such as aluminum balers or plastic bottle balers, please call us at 507-886-6666, or Contact Us today!