With the hot, dry weather we've been having we decided to make hay from the grass cut on my learn to scythe course. The grass is quite light which made the scything easier and also meant it made in to hay with only a couple of days good sun.
To keep ourselves from getting bored since we finished building the curach, Edward, Ian & I decided to build a haybaler based on those used in the States. This is a simple wooden box into which the hay is compressed using a pad on a lever. The string is put in first and can be tied up through slots in the door. Feed in the hay, compress it with the lever, tie it off then open the door - perfect bales, small and light enough to be easily handled.
We weren't in any doubt that it would work but this small amount of hay made a brilliant test run before tackling a whole meadow and sure enough we discovered a few modifications and improvements we'll make for the Mark II.
To keep ourselves from getting bored since we finished building the curach, Edward, Ian & I decided to build a haybaler based on those used in the States. This is a simple wooden box into which the hay is compressed using a pad on a lever. The string is put in first and can be tied up through slots in the door. Feed in the hay, compress it with the lever, tie it off then open the door - perfect bales, small and light enough to be easily handled.
We weren't in any doubt that it would work but this small amount of hay made a brilliant test run before tackling a whole meadow and sure enough we discovered a few modifications and improvements we'll make for the Mark II.
This is very cool. I might have to build me a baler. Unless, of course you've filed for a patent pending! ;-)
ReplyDeletego ahead, the more the merrier. we're planning to put together a set of instructions so other people can make these balers too.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see someone in the UK using the hand baler. I have been looking at US examples to try and build one. How do you attached the string at the back and the base, so that it stays put but does not get so tight that you cannot easily unhook it?
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Fiona.
The string is fixed in a notch at the top of the box and then there's a simple quick-release system at the bottom for the string. Enough people have shown interest that I'm going to put some plans together for making the hay baler. Watch this space.
ReplyDelete[…] conditions for the scythe. Mondays grass was spread out again and the first of it baled with our hand baler. It’s hot work but very pleasurable to do together and the results are beautiful small bales […]
ReplyDelete