Development of Straw Baler Influenced by Crop and Machine Parameters

A power operated semi automatic straw baler was developed for small and marginal farmers which can bale one ton paddy straw in two days by a single person. Compression ratio was found to be app. 6 times, it indicate that densification into bales saved up to 6 times of the storage, transportation space and costs. The maximum bailing capacity and bale density obtained was 60.97 kg hr-1 and 129 kg m-3. Cost of bale formation was found to be Rs. 800 per ton.