Feed the Material

Full Pickup Width Windrows

Full-width windrows are ideal since no weaving or crossing the windrow is necessary when feeding the baler.

This windrow must be even with little or no crown. Too much crown results in barrel-shaped bales.

Narrow Windrows

Once the core is formed, after 2—3 m (8—10 ft) of forward travel, start the weaving pattern to feed material alternately into the sides of the pickup. (See Guideline To Form A Good Bale in Operating Baler Application section to feed the material correctly.)

Bales formed in this way are more uniform than bales formed by continuously driving the tractor in a weaving pattern. Continuous weaving results in excessive material being placed in the center of the bale, and can cause belt tracking problems.

Medium-Sized Windrows

Whenever possible, avoid medium-sized windrows.

When the operator crosses this type of windrow to feed the ends of the pickup, material continues to be fed into the center. As a result, more material is fed into the center of the bale than at the ends. More material in the center of the bale results in barrel-shaped bales.