Bale Net
What makes great round bale wrapping and netting?
Most commonly, the materials used in manufacture of bale net are measured by the number of grams per lineal metre. This measurement can directly influence the way that a round bale holds its shape over time. It can also influence how it performs long-term in its role to maintain the integrity of the bale and the fodder its containing. Storage will also have a big outcome on the bale quality over time so it pays to think about how the fodder will be stored, before selecting the right bale net product for the job.
If you’re storing the bales out in the open field, out in the elements, the wrapped bale is left open to harsher exposure factors than if you store them undercover or in a shed. When deciding on the type of bale wrapping you’ll use, it’s best to consider where the bales will be stored. This can also influence how many wraps around the bale you may require to preserve the integrity of the fodder inside. Below are some differences to consider when making your choice for the most suitable bale net.
Powernet or Fat-Wrap Bale Net
PowerNet bale net is an excellent quality, ‘all-round’ net that is suitable and compatible for all makes and models of round baling machinery. PowerNet is manufactured between 12 to 12.7 grams per metre in the 1.23m and 1.3m wide varieties respectively. This is pretty much an industry standard in terms of kilograms of force applied to help the bale maintain its shape and its integrity. The high quality polymer raw materials used in manufacturing this product make it an excellent choice for silage bales or standard round bales.
Our Fat-Wrap bale net is a more heavy-duty product designed for bigger bales, harsher material or higher pressures in the bale itself. Fat-Wrap is one of the heaviest nets on the market, with a whopping 310kgs of force in a 1.23m wide application and even higher, 325 kilograms of force on the 1.3m width rolls. It achieves this heavy-duty application, not only by being manufactured with good quality polymers, but also because of the 12.8 to 13.5 grams per lineal metre construction, depending on the width of the netwrap.
Ever noticed how some netwrap brands are over 4000m in roll length? The 3600m Fat-Wrap is heavier than some 4500m rolls, due to yhr ‘contractor heavy grade’ construction. After a few months, all nets will lose their initial strength with varying factors challenging both the hay materials and the bale net. That is why the initial strength and weight of Fat-Wrap are required in some cases to act as one of the most resilient nets on the Australian market. Its green colour also helps in giving the fodder material a more colourful appearance, helping to give the stored bales a fresher look, which can assist particularly if you are selling your hay.
Best of all, our bale netting products are made for use in any baling machine, and for any application. You also get exceptional UV protection, which is particularly important if you store your bales out in the sun and the elements.
How Many Times Around the Bale do I Wrap?
This is a question that should always be asked prior to starting your round bales. Our recommendation is a minimum 3/4/5 for silage / hay / straw respectively. 3 x around – silage bales, 4 x around – hay bales, 5 x around – straw bales. These are general recommendations that are pretty much an industry standard these days but some discretion still needs to be used when it comes to the size of the bales and pressure exerted by machinery.
While some operators may be used to working a certain way historically, with a slight variation on this formula we normally don’t have an issue. But if you are applying only 2.5 wraps for 6ft bales of straw and cereal, then you will very likely have a problem with bales losing shape and breaking down prematurely. In such an instance, this is no fault of the bale net itself, but rather it’s a case of simply being ‘under gunned’ in what is required to effectively contain the baled materials.
Advances in round baling machinery these days mean that they operate up to 50% more psi (pounds per square inch) when pressing out bales than older machinery. So, the moment an operator upgrades machinery, they need to consider the appropriate good habits to fit the spec of that machinery as well as the spec of the bale net product they are using. 3/4/5 is a great rule of thumb, and if you’re still pushing the realms of big bale weights, then consider a higher kg force product such as Fat-Wrap.
Get the right advice
If you’re unsure of the appropriate products for your application, our team is always here to help so please reach out to us. We also offer a range of agricultural packaging products such as silage covers, bale wrapping, net replacement films and baler twines. Whatever your needs, we can give you the right advice every time. Simply let us know what you need in terms of your baling and wrapping needs, and we’ll recommend the very best products for you. With impeccable quality standards, you can trust that you’re getting the very best from us.
We have a centralised head office always ready to take your calls, and our vast network of depots means we can deliver to you fast, no matter where you are in Australia. Contact us today and find out why so many farming and contracting professionals choose our products and services.
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