Why Quality Matters: The True Cost of Cheap Baling Wire

In the competitive market of baling wire, the allure of lower prices can be tempting. However, the initial savings from purchasing cheaply made, imported baling wire can quickly evaporate when considering the broader implications on productivity, maintenance costs, and overall efficiency. This article explores why investing in higher-quality, domestically produced baling wire not only sustains the health of your equipment but also proves more economical in the long run.

The Hidden Costs of Low-Quality Baling Wire:

Increased Machine Wear and Tear: Cheap baling wire often fails to meet the stringent quality standards required for high-performance baling operations. This inferior quality can lead to frequent wire breaks and jams, which not only slow down operations but also place undue stress on baling equipment. Over time, this increased wear and tear can lead to costly repairs and even more significant downtime.

Efficiency Losses: Efficiency in baling operations is paramount. Low-quality wire may not tie bales as tightly and consistently as higher-grade wire, leading to less secure bales that can come apart during handling or transport. This inefficiency can result in double handling of materials, increased labor costs, and potential losses from damaged goods or materials.

Increased Downtime: Every minute a baler is down for wire-related issues translates directly to lost productivity. High-quality domestic wires are manufactured to strict specifications that ensure reliability and reduce the likelihood of machine downtime. On the other hand, the inconsistency of cheaper wire can mean more frequent stoppages to address breaks, tangles, or jams.

Customer Service and Support Issues: Dealing with suppliers of cheap baling wire often means compromised customer service. The lack of prompt, reliable support can exacerbate downtime and may lead to prolonged disruptions in your operations. Domestic suppliers typically offer more responsive and accessible customer service, helping you resolve issues quickly and efficiently.

Long-Term Financial Implications: While the upfront cost of cheaper, imported baling wire might appear lower, the long-term financial burden it imposes often outweighs these initial savings. Investing in higher-quality wire minimizes the risk of unforeseen expenses related to equipment damage, operational inefficiencies, and poor bale integrity.

Choosing the right baling wire is a decision that impacts not just the cost of supplies but the entire operational workflow. Quality should be the paramount concern when selecting baling wire, as the true cost of using substandard materials can far exceed the price paid at purchase. By opting for superior, domestically produced baling wire, businesses can achieve greater reliability, efficiency, and ultimately, profitability.

For those in the baling industry, the message is clear: investing in quality is not just a choice but a necessity for sustainable operation. Choose wisely, and ensure your operations are built on a foundation of quality that supports long-term success.

If you’re ready to explore high-quality, domestically produced baling wire solutions that promise reliability and superior customer service, contact the Midwest Bale Ties sales team at 765.364.0113 today or request a quote here. Let us help you find the perfect baling wire for your needs and ensure your operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Spring into Efficiency: The Right Baling Wire for Agricultural Success

Spring brings a flurry of activity on the farm, from planting to early harvests, making efficient practices crucial. Baling wire, a fundamental tool in agricultural operations, ensures that tasks like hay and straw baling or supporting orchards and vineyards are performed seamlessly. Understanding the specific baling wire needs for these tasks is key to a productive season.

The Essential Role of 14.5 Gauge Bale Wire in Agriculture

For hay and straw baling, the 14.5 gauge baling wire stands out as the industry standard. Its optimal balance of strength and flexibility makes it perfect for securing bales tightly, ensuring they hold their shape and integrity during transport and storage. This wire’s length is 6,500 feet and the 14.5 gauge are specifically designed to maximize efficiency in the baling process, reducing waste and saving time.

Galvanized Wire: The Choice for Orchards and Vineyards

When it comes to supporting the growth of orchards and vineyards, galvanized straight and cut baling wire is the material of choice. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it ideal for outdoor use, where exposure to the elements is a given. Whether it’s training young vines or trees or providing a structured path for growth, galvanized wire ensures durability and reliability season after season.

Galvanized HT Wire: For Enhanced Strength and Durability

In applications where additional strength is required, galvanized high tensile wire (also known as HT wire) offers the perfect solution. Its enhanced durability makes it suitable for trellising in vineyards and orchards, supporting the weight of growing plants without sagging or breaking. This ensures your crops are well-supported for optimal growth and yield.

Selecting the Right Wire for Your Farm

Choosing the right baling wire involves considering the specific needs of your operation. The 14.5 gauge baling wire is ideal for baling operations, while galvanized and HT wires cater to the structural needs of orchards and vineyards. Factors such as the size and weight of bales, the type of crops, and environmental conditions should influence your decision.

Why Midwest Bale Ties?

At Midwest Bale Ties, we understand the critical role that baling wire plays in agricultural efficiency. Our products are crafted from high-quality materials to meet the rigorous demands of farming operations. We offer 14.5 gauge 6,500 foot bale wire tailored for hay and straw baling and a selection of galvanized wires for orchards and vineyards, ensuring you have the right tools for a successful harvest.

As spring ushers in a season of growth and renewal, having the right baling wire on hand is essential for keeping your agricultural operations running smoothly. With Midwest Bale Ties, you can be confident in your choice of baling wire, knowing it’s designed for the specific challenges and opportunities of the farming season.

For more information on our baling wire products or to discuss your specific needs, visit MidwestBaleTies.com or contact our sales team at 765.364.0113. Let’s make this farming season your most efficient yet.

Bale Wire 101: Understanding the Essentials with Midwest Bale Ties

Baling wire serves the crucial role of bundling and securing materials into compact, manageable bales. In this installment of our Bale Wire 101 series, we delve into the nuances of bale ties, their types, materials, industry applications, and selection criteria to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge to choose the right wire for your needs.

The Three Main Types of Bale Ties

Single Loop Bale Ties: Designed for manual bale tiers, single loop bale ties are ideal for facilities that handle baling operations by hand. Their ease of use and flexibility make them a preferred choice for smaller-scale or less automated operations.
Boxed Baling Wire: Engineered for single ram balers, boxed baling wire comes in a form that facilitates automatic feeding and tying, streamlining the baling process in high-volume or automated environments.
Stem Wire: Also known as carrier baling wire, stand wire, or stump wire, stem wire is used in high-production double-ram balers, or two-ram auto-tie balers.

Materials: Galvanized vs. Black Annealed Wire

Baling wire is crafted from two primary materials, each with unique properties catering to specific needs:

Galvanized Wire: Known for its corrosion-resistant zinc coating, galvanized wire is the go-to for baling cleaner products where maintaining the integrity of the baled materials is paramount. Its resilience to environmental factors makes it suitable for outdoor storage and handling.
Black Annealed Wire: Renowned for its flexibility and strength, black annealed wire is treated through a thermal annealing process to enhance its ductility. This makes it an excellent choice for baling materials with memory, such as rubber, allowing for expansion without compromising the bale’s integrity. However, it’s worth noting that black annealed wire may leave a residue on the baled products.

Industries and Applications

Baling wire finds its application across a myriad of industries, each with its specific requirements:

Recycling and Waste Management: Facilitating the efficient bundling of materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, and metals, baling wire aids in the transport and processing of recyclables. It ensures that recyclable materials are kept compact and manageable, enhancing the efficiency of recycling operations and reducing environmental impact.
Agriculture: In the agricultural sector, baling wire is crucial for packaging hay, straw, and other fibrous materials, ensuring ease of handling and storage. This not only preserves the quality of agricultural products but also maximizes space efficiency in storage and transport.
Construction and Demolition: Beyond its conventional uses, baling wire serves as a quick and reliable solution for tying together construction materials such as rebar, contributing to the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure projects. Additionally, baling wire is extensively utilized in securing and supporting ceiling systems and suspended utilities within buildings.
Manufacturing: From securing bundled goods for shipment to compacting waste materials for disposal, baling wire is integral to maintaining an organized and efficient manufacturing environment. Beyond its role in logistical support within facilities, it offers a unique advantage by enabling manufacturers to bale packaging overages. Instead of incurring costs to dispose of excess materials, companies can transform this would-be waste into an additional source of revenue by baling and selling it.

Selecting the Right Baling Wire

Choosing the appropriate baling wire involves considering various factors such as:

Gauge: The thickness of the wire should match the weight and density of the material being baled and weight of bale being made
Length: The length of the wire should be compatible with the size of the bales and the capacity of the baling equipment.
Material: Consider the end use of the baled materials and any specific requirements, such as residue-free bales or weather resistance.

We are Here to Help!

Selecting the right baling wire is crucial for optimizing your baling operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and the integrity of your baled materials. Whether you’re baling for recycling, agricultural, construction, or manufacturing purposes, understanding the types of bale ties, their materials, and applications is key to making an informed decision.

If you’re uncertain about the best baling wire for your needs, the experts at Midwest Bale Ties are here to assist. With our extensive knowledge and comprehensive range of baling solutions, we can help you find the perfect wire for your job. Contact us today, and let’s ensure your baling operations are as effective and efficient as possible.

Commercial Businesses and Cardboard Baling: The Holiday Season Surge

The holiday season is synonymous with a spike in consumer spending and a corresponding increase in packaging waste, particularly cardboard. For commercial businesses, this seasonal surge presents both a challenge and an opportunity in terms of waste management and sustainability practices. An integral component of this process is the effective baling of cardboard, a task that is streamlined by the use of reliable bale ties. Retail giants, local stores, and distribution centers alike see an exponential rise in packaging, particularly from e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Target, Walmart and the like.

The Holiday Rush and Its Impact on Cardboard Waste

The last quarter of the year, marked by major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas season, sees a substantial increase in cardboard usage. Retailers, shipping companies, and e-commerce platforms, including giants like Amazon, face the daunting task of handling an influx of cardboard boxes. Efficiently managing this increase is crucial to prevent operational bottlenecks and promote environmental sustainability.

The Importance of Cardboard Baling

Cardboard baling is the process of compressing cardboard waste into compact, manageable bales, which can then be easily transported for recycling. This process not only helps in reducing the physical space occupied by the waste but also plays a significant role in the recycling chain. Efficient baling is dependent on the quality of bale ties, which must secure the bales effectively to withstand transport and processing stresses.

Bale Ties: The Unsung Heroes in Cardboard Recycling

The effectiveness of cardboard baling is largely determined by the bale ties used. During the holiday season, the increased volume of cardboard waste necessitates the use of sturdy, reliable bale ties. Midwest Bale Ties offers a range of bale ties that are designed for various types and volumes of cardboard bales. From high-tensile strength for heavy-duty baling to more flexible options for smaller operations, the right bale ties can significantly improve the efficiency of a business’s recycling efforts.

The Process of Cardboard Baling

During the holiday season, businesses often adjust their waste management processes to handle the increased volume of cardboard. This includes setting up additional baling schedules, ensuring the availability of adequate baling supplies like wires and ties, and sometimes even upgrading their baling equipment. The compressed cardboard bales are then collected by recycling firms, where they are processed and eventually transformed into new cardboard products, completing the recycling loop.

The Importance of the Right Bale Ties

For these businesses, the choice of bale ties becomes crucial in managing this uptick efficiently. Bale ties are not just about keeping the cardboard compact; they’re about ensuring safety, enhancing recyclability, and improving overall efficiency. But how do you know which bale tie is right for your needs? Midwest Bale Ties offers a comprehensive guide to help you make the best choice for your specific requirements.

The Environmental and Economic Benefits

Efficient cardboard baling during the holiday season not only helps businesses manage waste more effectively but also contributes to environmental conservation. By recycling cardboard, businesses help reduce the demand for virgin paper pulp, thereby conserving natural resources and reducing their carbon footprint. Economically, efficient waste management can lead to cost savings in waste disposal and can enhance a business’s reputation as an environmentally responsible entity.

Embracing Sustainability This Holiday Season

The holiday season’s surge in cardboard waste is a challenge that, when managed effectively, can yield significant environmental and economic benefits. The key lies in the efficient baling of this waste, a process made seamless and effective with the use of quality bale ties from Midwest Bale Ties. As businesses navigate the busiest shopping season of the year, attention to cardboard waste management is crucial for sustainable operations and cost savings.

Looking for reliable bale ties for your holiday season recycling needs? Explore Midwest Bale Ties’ range of products and join the effort to make this holiday season greener and more sustainable. Our team is standing by and ready to assist you at 765-364-0113.

From Metal Scraps to Superior Steel: The American Wire Story

In a world increasingly dominated by disposable products, the recycling and repurposing of materials stand out as a beacon of sustainability and resourcefulness. At the heart of this is the story of American-made steel wire, particularly the kind Midwest Bale Ties is proud to work with.

Collection of Scrap Metal

The journey starts in scrapyards, factories, and homes across the U.S. Old cars, discarded appliances, and construction debris, among others, serve as goldmines for the valuable scrap metal that forms the base of our steel wire.

melting and refinement

This collected scrap metal is then transported to steel mills. Here, it’s melted down in large furnaces. The impurities, often called “slag”, rise to the top and are removed. What remains is molten steel, ready for shaping and refining.

Drawing and Shaping

Once the molten steel is at the desired purity and consistency, it’s drawn into wire forms. It’s passed through a series of dies that progressively decrease in size, allowing for the creation of steel wire of various diameters suitable for different applications.

Crafting Midwest Bale Ties and Wire Products

The wire, once formed, is now ready for transformation into the diverse range of products Midwest Wire offers:

Baler & Box Wire: Essential for bundling and ensuring materials remain intact.
Ceiling and Hanging Wire: Crafted for durability and strength, perfect for support systems.
Straight and Cut Wire: Precisely cut to fit an array of applications.
Stump and Stem Wire: Specialized wires for unique industrial tasks.

Quality Assurance

Every piece of wire and every product undergoes stringent checks. It’s not just about meeting industrial benchmarks, but upholding the promise of American quality and the unmatched durability of steel.

Discover the Difference of American Craftsmanship! Dive deeper into our range of products and see firsthand the quality and precision of Midwest Bale Ties.

The Role of Midwest Bale Ties’ Galvanized Wire in Powder Coating

Galvanized wire is celebrated for its durability, rust resistance, and versatility, offering a host of applications in various industries. At Midwest Bale Ties, we’re proud to provide top-tier galvanized wire that can stand the test of time, proving essential even in niche applications like powder coating. This blog post dives into how our galvanized wire significantly contributes to the powder coating process.

What is Galvanized Wire?

Our galvanized wire is made by dipping steel wire into molten zinc, a process known as hot-dip galvanization. This results in a protective layer of zinc that resists rust and corrosion, making the wire suitable for long-term use in challenging environments.

Midwest Bale Ties’ galvanized wire is renowned for its consistent quality, high strength, and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for industries that require long-lasting, corrosion-resistant wire.

Application in Powder Coating

Powder coating is a finishing process used primarily for metal objects. It involves applying a dry, free-flowing powder (usually a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer) to a surface, which is then heated (cured) to form a protective, decorative finish that is tougher and longer-lasting than conventional paint.

Midwest Bale Ties’ galvanized wire plays a critical role in this process. The items to be coated are often hung on wire racks before undergoing the powder coating process. Here, the quality and strength of the wire used are paramount, as it must withstand not only the weight of the items but also the high curing temperatures, which can reach up to 200°C (392°F).

Our galvanized wire, with its robust strength and superior heat resistance, is the perfect candidate for the job. Its high melting point ensures it remains stable and maintains its integrity throughout the heat-intensive curing process. In addition, its corrosion-resistant properties make it suitable for repeated use, even in harsh powder coating environments.

Moreover, the galvanized wire’s clean, smooth surface ensures it does not interfere with the powder coating process by introducing contaminants, ensuring a high-quality, consistent finish.

Take the Next Step

Midwest Bale Ties’ galvanized wire’s strength, durability, and resistance to heat and corrosion make it an invaluable asset in the powder coating industry. The wire’s superior qualities not only aid in the efficient application of powder coating but also contribute to a superior final finish, making it a go-to choice for businesses in this sector.

If you’re in the powder coating business and need high-quality galvanized wire that delivers excellent results, look no further than Midwest Bale Ties. For inquiries or more information, call our sales team today at 765-364-0113.

How to Properly Size a Bale Tie: What Size Bale Tie Do I Need?

Bale ties allow us to condense, palletize and easily move a wide variety of recyclable products and waste materials including plastics, paper, aluminum, and cardboard. Compacting using either a horizontal or vertical baler is always followed by the use of some type of securement often times this comes in the form of a bale tie. Bale ties are most commonly used in vertical balers and sometimes used in horizontal balers. Properly sizing your baler for the correct bale tie will likely save you time and or money down the line. Here are some tips to help you navigate your way through sizing:

Measure your bale

The first and most important thing to do when trying to get to the correct size of bale tie is measuring your bale. Grab a tape measure and get the full dimensions of an already completed bale. If you are working with a vertical baler you will need measurements on height and width and if you are working with a horizontal baler you will need measurements for width and length. These measurements will directly impact the length of your bale tie.

Weigh your bale

You have your measurements, now its time to get your bale to a scale and see how much your made bale weighs. This weight doesn’t need to be exact but you should be able to get somewhere within 10 lbs. of an accurate weight. You might also consider weighing multiple bales and averaging the group. It’s common for bales to vary in weight depending on who makes the bale and who is feeding the baler. The weight of the bale will help diagnose the gauge or thickness of wire that will best fit your needs. The most common gauges requested are 12 gauge and 13 gauge however 11 gauge and 14 gauge are also available.

Understand what is being baled

Now that you have your measurements and your weight it’s time to understand and think critically about the composition of the straight you are processing. A material like paper doesn’t really have much expansion once the baler releases the bale, however a straight like plastic will expand. This is important to understand because this may affect the type of finish (black annealed or galvanized) bale tie will best fit your application.

Count your wires

This one is simple, how many wires do you use to make a bale with your particular type of baler? This number, like the weight of your bale, also helps us calculate what gauge bale tie will be most effective for your system.

So, we have a bale measured and weighed, we know we are baling paper so not too much expansion after release and we know we are using 5 wires per bale in the vertical baler we are using, what now? Now we just use the formula of (height”+width”)x2+12”. So, for example, we will use the height of 48” and a width of 38” for a total of 86”. Now we have 86” times 2 gives us 172” plus 12” comes to 184”. Using the chart below we know we need a 17’ bale tie.

Now we have our length its time to calculate our gauge and finish. Our bale weighs 2200 lbs. and we know we are using 5 wires per bale. So using the other chart below we can see that 13ga wire has a break load strength of 425-450 lbs. we take that 425 and multiply by 5 and we get 2,125-2,250 lbs. of total break strength. We also know we are baling paper so not too much expansion after release so we can go with a standard galvanized finish.

Looking For Bale Ties in the Midwest?

Feel free to use the materials and examples below to do your own sizing assessment, shaving off a couple of feet or going to a lighter gauge could save you up to 10% on cost and the correct length could help cut time off on tying off the bale. Also, keep in mind we do samples bundles of 20-25 wires if you would like to try a different length or gauge bale tie than the one you are currently using. If you have any questions or would like to request a sample bundle please don’t hesitate to email sales@midwestbaleties.com or call 765-364-0113.

Asking and answering the questions above and communicating that information to your supplier should allow them to accurately and efficiently give you the best and most cost-effective length and gauge product. We offer free samples on bale ties and baler wire to customers who are looking to get hands-on experience with a different gauge or length of tie and encourage anyone to reach out with questions or requests. In addition, we offer a sizing chart to better understand if you are getting the correct material for your current system.

Galvanized vs. Black Annealed: What’s the Difference?

In the world of bale ties, there are three common finishes or types of wire used in the manufacturing process. Wire with one of these three finishes will ultimately be used to manufacture your bale tie. Each type has unique traits and properties that give the bale tie an individual look and feel.

Listed from most common to least common would be Galvanized, Black Annealed, and Painted/Coated. Below is a description of each finish as well as some attributes and features.

Galvanized Wire

The most common type of wire finish used in the production of a bale tie is galvanized. Galvanization is the process of coating or bathing a raw steel or “bright basic” wire in a pool of molten zinc. This often occurs as a close to the drawing process or directly after the wire has been drawn to the desired thickness or gauge.

How do you Make Galvanized Wire?

The process of galvanization allows the bale tie to be used in wet and humid conditions without compromising its structural integrity. In short, galvanized bale ties can be used and should be used when storing your baled material in a location that has exposure to the elements.

Galvanized bale ties will appear to be silver or metallic with very little oil or residue allowing for clean usage. Galvanized wire tends to be stiffer with less elongation than a black annealed bale tie. Galvanized wire is the most durable and versatile of the three types of finishes, particularly when storing bales in an outdoor area.

Black Annealed Wire

The second most common type of wire finish when talking about bale ties is black annealed. The annealing process takes a simple post drawn “bright basic” steel wire and heats it in an oven or kiln changing the chemical composition. This process softens the wire as well as changing its color from more of a rough grey or silver to more black or brown color.

What is Black Annealing?

Black annealed bale ties will appear black or dark in color and feel slightly oily. Using a black annealed bale tie, you will also find that the wire has between 5-10% more elongation making it more ideal for baling materials that expand after releasing RAM pressure on the baler.

Unlike galvanized bale ties black annealed bale ties will rust if used and stored outdoors often causing the wire to fail. 50- and 100-pound Baler wire is almost always made with black annealed wire because of its versatility and rate of elongation.

Painted or Coated Wire

The final type of wire used to manufacture bale ties is the coated or painted wire. A painted wire is typically a bright basic wire coated with a colored coating or “paint” that has dried giving the wire a rough textured feel.

What is Coated Wire?

A painted wire bale tie will perform similar to a galvanized bale tie and is designed to be acceptable for bales stored outdoors. Though often clean during handling and tying sometimes issues will occur in either the manufacturing process or during shipping or usage causing the paint to chip and the wire underneath to become exposed, this exposed wire will often fail when exposed to the elements. Painted bale ties are the least common type of bale tie and are often replaced by the more affordable black annealed or the more durable galvanized bale tie.

What is Baling Wire Made Of?

Each of the finishes above has unique features and benefits. Depending on your particular system, the material you are processing, and your budget one of these 3 finishes are correct for you bale tie. In addition, make sure you take into consideration where the bales are stored once they are made this might limit your options.

If you are still unsure about which finish is the best for your application feel free to reach out to us at info@midwestbaleties.com and we can assist you with getting the correct size, gauge and finish bale tie for your needs. Also available are sample bundles which are smaller bundles of 25-30 wires designed for testing a specific length and gauge, typically these bundles are shipped UPS freight at no charge to the customer.

4 Important Questions to Ask When Purchasing Bale Ties and Baler Wire

Bale ties and baling wire are consumable products that enter your facility, get used by the team that handles your baling, and then leave your facility surrounding some type of waste or recyclable material. Bale ties and baler wire are a very small part of what you and your company do on a day to day basis. However, if your bale ties or baler wire begins to fail or the size and gauge of the wire being used is not ample and accurate a small problem grows into a much larger issue. Waste and recyclable material begins to pile up, manpower is spent cleaning up after broken bales of material, and timelines and production schedules are affected.

The following questions are designed to help you and your team understand more about the product/products you are using to bale your materials and help you better purchase from your supplier. Asking these questions before you make a bale ties or baler wire purchase should help you communicate your specific needs to your supplier as well as potentially save you and your company money by purchasing the most cost-effective product for your needs.

What are we baling?

The list of materials our bale ties and baler wire are used to hold together is ever-changing. Some of the more common materials we see bailed are paper, cardboard, plastic, textiles, and aluminum. Each type of material has different properties and reacts differently when the pressure of the baler is released. For example, bales of plastic bottles tend to have significantly more expansion than bales of paper products which tend to hold there form better. This difference in material and response could potentially mean a black annealed wire or bale tie would be more suited to your specific application. Not only would this simple change potentially enhance the effectiveness of the system it would also reduce costs because black annealed material is less expensive than galvanized material.

Where are our bales being stored and for how long?

Once your material has been compacted and your bale tie or baler wire has secured your bale where does that bale go for storage? Does your team transport it to a covered trailer? How long do they sit until being picked up? Do your bales get transferred to a pallet and set it outside until the next pickup to save on space? Do your bales simply get moved to a designated spot in your warehouse? Black annealed material, which is more cost, can have issues when not stored in a covered or sheltered area away from the elements. Galvanized material can be stored in most spaces without potentially compromising the integrity of the wire. Whatever your system or method of storage its important to consider how your wire is affected.

How much do your bales weigh?

The weight of your bale is very important when diagnosing the correct gauge of wire needed to hold the load securely. Common problems that occur when the material being used is not ample for the weight of the bale being processed are delaminated heads and breakage of wire. We advise taking 3-5 bales of each material your facility regularly bales and weighing them to get an average weight/bale. Given this weight and the number of ties being used we should be able to get you the most cost-effective gauge wire which many times reduces the weight per bundle, in turn, dropping your cost per bundle.

What are the dimensions of your bales?

The length, height and width of your finished bale speaks directly to the length of the bale tie needed to effectively secure your material. Bale dimensions are generally specific to the type and size of baler your team uses. Lengths typically vary between 10 and 22 feet and a rule of thumb would be to always go slightly longer than what you think you need and as you find what works scale back 6” to 1’ at a time until you find the exact length that works for you and your team.

How to Save Money on Bale Ties: Sizing, Quantity, and Freight

“How can I save money on my bale ties and baler wire?” is a question that often arises when speaking with our customers and partners in market, especially given all the rising costs associated with baling and reselling your material. There are several ways to cut costs on the bale ties and/or wire you are currently consuming. In the following paragraphs, we are going to discuss 3 ways you and your company could potentially cut costs on bale ties and baler wire.

Sizing

Many times the size of the bale tie currently being used is not the most effective option. The bale tie currently being used by your team is likely ample in size to consistently handle the weight of the bale you are processing and also likely ample length that your operators have plenty of slack to tie off the bale. These are all good outcomes, however, if you are trying to cut some costs and get the most optimal and cost-effective solution more could be done.

Cutting a foot off the length of the bale tie you are currently using would reduce the weight of the bundle, in turn, dropping the cost of the bale tie. Switching from a 14’ x 13ga bale tie to a 14’ x 13.5ga bale tie reduces the weight of the bundle thereby dropping the cost. Moving from a galvanized finish bale tie to a black annealed bale tie reduces cost because the raw material is less expensive. We make this process easy by always providing customers with free samples so they can test out what makes the most sense given the system they have in place. In addition, we also provide a simple sizing sheet to better help get to the best solution for your business.

Quantity

For many of our customers that bring in bale ties and baler wire the quantity they order is the same over and over. 10 bundles of 14’x14ga. galvanized single loop bale ties every 2 months or one full pallet of 11ga baler wire every 6 months. Looking at the quantity and, beyond that, looking at what space is available to potentially allocate towards a larger quantity is a simple way to reduce the delivered cost per bundle. Though it can be difficult finding a balance between storage space allocation and bale ties consumption is something every company should consider.

Going from purchasing 20 bundles of 21’x12ga galvanized single loop bale ties to purchasing 40 bundles of 21’x12ga galvanized single looped bale ties would save somewhere between $2.00 and $3.00 per bundle. Delivered cost moving from 20 bundles of 21’x12ga galvanized single looped bale ties to 80 bundles of the same material, which would constitute a bulk material price would reduce your cost per bundle by between $4.00 and $6.00 per bundle. Space is a concern in any warehouse situation but if you have some space available it may be worth taking on a larger stocking position to reduce costs. Please contact us and ask about max gaylord pricing and bulk discount if it something you think could work for your facility.

Freight

Freight is a necessary evil when factoring in delivered cost. The rates are always changing and seasonal rates cause prices to roller coaster. While we have some dependable carriers and fair LTL rates in place for most states, reducing freight cost is an easy way to drop the delivered price for bale ties, baler wire, and even stem wire. As you consider the above ways to reduce costs please also consider how the product is being shipped and who is shipping. Oftentimes better rates are available through carriers you are presently working with. In addition, we can also solicit quotes from carriers outside our main network and potentially arrange a better shipping cost to reduce your delivered price. These carriers sometimes have extended schedules but as long as you are not in immediate need are a good solution.

When dealing with larger orders that surpass 4 pallets we also can reach out to some of our bulk carriers for quotes based on the total weight of the load which oftentimes tremendously reduces the delivered cost of your bale ties and/or baler wire. Working with freight can be frustrating and time-consuming but once a system is in place it should be very simple for your purchasing agent to simply duplicate your last order and the same cost will be in place.

Hopefully, the information above is valuable and you are able to take advantage of some of the ways available to save on the cost of your bale ties, baler wire, and stump wire. We are always available to discuss and troubleshoot any issues or potential ways we can get you what you need in the most cost-effective manner. Please reach out if you would like to take advantage of a free sample bundle of product or get an updated quote with different quantities.