Is a vertical baler or horizontal baler suitable for your company?

A baler is a type of recycling equipment that can be very beneficial for various types of businesses. A baler compresses recyclable materials, most commonly cardboard and plastic, so that they may be tied together with baling wire to create a compact bale. Baled materials can be purchased by recycling companies which helps the overall environment instead of leaving loose materials to be dumped at a landfill. Balers are used by businesses that generate enough recyclables to justify the purchase of the equipment. They are a great option for theos types of businesses with smaller spaces, too, as they decrease the need for extra waste bins.

Balers come in various sizes and shapes depending on the types of materials needing to be baled, the quantity of material needing baling, and the location & size of the business property. There are two categories of balers: vertical and horizontal.

Vertical balers compress with vertical (downward) force. Materials are put inside of the machine and then the baler’s ram (located at the top of the machine) will move down toward the ground and compress the material. Vertical balers tend to take up less space, cost less and are great for a variety of materials. They are much taller than horizontal balers and may not be the best choice for materials with less elasticity.

Horizontal balers are more robust and work a little differently. Materials can be loaded into the baler by hand, air systems, conveyors, hydraulic dumpers and other various equipment. Once these materials are placed into a hopper and the hopper is full, the ram will compress the materials from one side of the machine to the other (moving with horizontal force). These bales are typically tied off with baling wire and then ejected from the baler. Balers can be auto-tie or manual-tie. Auto-tie balers are more costly, but if enough bales are formed, they provide great value over the long-term. Horizontal balers are great for companies that produce high volumes of bales; they create more consistent bales in size & weight; they can be used with other equipment such as shredders; and they can compress a wider variety of recyclable materials (from fiberglass sheets to aluminum cans to newspaper and more).