Which film width do I need to choose?
Which film thickness do I need to choose?
How do I check if the stretch level is correct?
When the chamber opens, the baler film is damaged, what can I do?
What is time delay and why is it important?
Which film width do I need to use?
Baletite is available in 3 film widths:
- 950mm for the smaller size machines
- 1280mm for the edge to edge application
- 1380mm for the coverage application.
The film is folding over the edge or is folded onto the edge, depending of the machine, dry matter content, type of the grass, humidity,
Baletite is a very stable film. In all ambient temperatures the film will at the correct stretch level only slightly neck-in:
1280mm becomes 1240-1260mm
1380mm becomes 1340-1360mm
Which film thickness do I need to choose?
We have 3 types of film; each of them designed for a certain application. Here is our recommendation:
| Thickness | Length | Application |
| 13µm | 2400m | Maize, TMR, beet pulp |
| 16µm | 2000m | Grass silage-standard conditions |
| 20µm | 1650m | Grass silage - difficult conditions |
For single balers, we advise to use the BaletiteGO 20µm - 1280mm version, as this film is UV stabilised and contains a higher cling level.
How do I check if the stretch level is correct?
As Baletite is Pre-oriented to a high degree it only needs to be tensioned on to the bale.
The recommended stretch percentage can be found on the baletite reel label.
Set the baler to obtain the required stretch percentage.
If your baler has a speed controlled system, set the recommend stretch percentage in the on-board computer.
If your baler has a tension controlled system set the tension (that is giving you the recommend stretch percentage) in the on-board computer or on the tension system.
To check the stretch percentage you can use the following measuring method:
- Set the number of revolutions/layers to 7 to avoid there is any expansion of the bale
- Transfer the bale secured with baletite onto the wrapping table
- To avoid injuries ensure that the wrapping process cannot be started!
- Mark 2 horizontal lines 100mm away from each other (=D1) in the middle of the bale away from the film’s end
Figure1. This 100mm distance will reduce in size after having cut out this small piece of film.
- Cut out a piece of the Baletite layers around the two horizontal lines
- Leave the cut-out piece of baletite for a minimum 3 minutes
- In the meantime wrap the bale with stretchfilm on the balewrapper
- Measure the distance in mm between the two lines =D2)
The stretch % is calculated as follows
D1/D2 = 1, XX => XX = stretch percentage.
Example = 100mm/87mm = 1.15 => 15% stretch
Check the stretch percentage certainly at the beginning of the wrapping season and recheck a few times during the season. If any doubt or malfunction of the tension/stretch equipment, check immediately.
Baletite has a very high holding force. Combined with the high stability and consistency, there is no need to change the stretch/tension level during the season when the ambient temperature changes. The film gives in all ambient conditions always the superior holding force when set at the recommended stretch percentage.
What is a full width layer?
There are two baler film feeding systems on the market.
1. balers where the baler film is fed in with a tail system
In this system the baler film is inserted in the bale chamber by means of a string and will then open until its full width. After the required number of revolutions/layers around the bale are applied the film narrows again to a string and is cut.
The 'full width' is the part of the balerfilm where the film is at its widest.
The 'tail' part can vary depending on the type, serial number or software version or settings of the machine.
There are 2 settings possibilities depending of the baler
1. Setting of number of full width layers:
In this kind of machines, the number you put in the computer indicates how many layers in full width will go around the bale.
2. Setting number of revolutions:
In this kind of machine, the number you put in the computer indicates how many turns the baler film will make around the bale. This number includes the parts that are not at full width (tails). The number of full width layers depends of the length of the tails (normally between 1.2 and 1.7 revolutions). Please check the length of the tails to define the setting of the number of revolutions.
If any doubt about the setting of layers or revolutions please check the baler manufacturer’s instructions.
2. balers where balerfilm is fed at full width
The setting of the number of layers on the on-board computer are the full width layers. Be aware that at the starting point the film can be slightly folded or there can be some grass between the layers and at the end the film can come lose in case of dust or humidity. It is recommended to add 0.5 layers more to compensate this.
How many layers do I need?
In order to put the correct settings, it is important to understand which type of machine you are working with and the product and circumstances you are baling in. Always check the baler manufacturer’s instructions to see if the baler works with a tail system or not and if the settings are indicating “full width” layers or revolutions
The number of “full width” layers will depend on the baled product, machine and circumstances as well as the individual preferences of the user.
We have 3 types of film:
| Thickness | Application |
| 13µm | Maize,TMR,beet pulp |
| 16µm | Grass silage - standard conditions |
| 20µm | Grass silage - difficult conditions |
For grass bales, we recommend to always use a minimum of 3 (full width) layers for a bale with diameter of 125cm
Add an extra layer in difficult conditions:
- When the bale will be handled multiple times
- When the weight of the bale increases
- When you move to higher diameter bales (≥128cm)
- With extremely low dry matter content (DM<30%)
- When the expansion force or the weight of the bale increases for example:
- With high dry matter content (DM>60%)
- When you move to the maximum pressure chamber setting (>80%)
- With extremely stemmy crop material
- When product is taken between the first full width layers of Baletite at the start
A combination of several extreme conditions may require a further increase in number of layers
Please Note in certain conditions, working with BaletiteGO (20µm) could allow operators to reduce the number of full width layers by about 25%.
For example, if an operator currently applies 4 full width layers of Baletite 16µm to bind a high DM crop, he can reduce this to 3 full width layers of BaletiteGO while maintaining the compactness of the bales.
As maize bales tend to be heavier, and handled more often, we recommend to use a minimum of 5 (full width) layers. With difficult products such as beet pulp even more layers will be needed.
Minimum number of full width layers (minimum number of revolutions) | Baletite 13µm | Baletite 16µm | BaletiteGO 20µm |
| Maize bales (800kg+) | 5.0+ | x | x |
| Grass bales in normal conditions | x | 3.0 (4.5) | 2.0 (3.5) |
| Grass bale in difficult conditions | x | 4.0 (5.5) | 3.0 (4.5) |
| Grass bales in extreme conditions | x | 5.0 (6.5) | 4.0 (5.5) |
The number of revolutions are mentioned between brackets. We take as an average 1.5 revolutions for the tails, but check the length of the tails on your baler.
The figures above are only indicative. As the number of layers can vary depending on the individual situation. We recommend to check the shape of the bales at the start of baling and if necessary adapt the number of layers.
When the chamber opens, the baler film is damaged, what can I do?
- Check if there is any visible damage to the baler film reel.
- Check that all rollers on the baler (that come into contact with the baletite film before it enters the bale chamber i.e. support, brake, guide and nip rollers) are clean and free from damage.
- Check if there is no obstruction in the balechamber and clean the bale chamber rollers
- If the bale chamber rollers damage the film on the bale during the opening of the chamber, check if the chamber opens fast enough.
What is time delay and why is it important?
The time delay is the time period between the ‘bale full’ beep or signal and the baletite film starting to feed in to the baler. This time delay should be set in accordance with the baler manufacturer’s instructions.
In general, heavier crop swaths need a higher time delay, and lighter crop swaths needs a lower time delay.
Try to avoid that grass is taken between the full width layers at the start.
In case the film turns regularly around a roller in the bale chamber, the time delay can be decreased, but be aware that crop will be caught between the full width layers and an extra half turn or a full turn of film around the bale will be required.
