What type of wrapper is best?
Four major types of wrappers are available and all four can produce good baleage. The main wrapper types are 1) platform, 2) swinging arm, 3) in-line, 4) bale spear. Platform wrappers simultaneously rotate and revolve the bale on a platform to feed plastic from a stationary roll. Swinging arm wrappers have rollers that open to enclose and pick up the bale before wrapping. The plastic roll swings around the bale on an arm. More recently, integral baler-wrapper designs have become available that wrap the bale just after it is formed. In-line wrappers place bales end-to-end in a row while dispensing plastic from rollers that travel around the bale. Bale-spear wrappers have a hydraulic motor to rotate a bale on a spear while the operator moves the plastic along the bale length. Wrappers that make rows of continuously wrapped bales use less plastic per bale since no plastic is needed for the ends of bales.
Trailer-type wrappers place less weight on the tractor than three-point-hitch wrappers, and may allow use of a smaller tractor since horsepower requirements for wrapping are relatively low. Smaller tractors can handle some three-point- hitch wrappers that are moved empty and lowered to the ground before wrapping the next bale. A few wrappers have loader arms to elevate the bale onto the platform and eliminate the need for a loader attachment to lead the bales.
The most common type of wrapper available today is the in-line wrapper due to quick wrapping rates, reduced plastic consumption, and ease of use. Many have automatic wrapping features with remote control options that allow the producer to operate the machine from the tractor thereby reducing labor requirements.