Get ready: the baler has been purchased: are you ready for the delivery?

Choosing the right baler is a difficult task. Hopper size, peak tons per hour, energy savings, wire tying and safety Issues are all thoroughly discussed prior to making the final baler model decision.

But the job is not complete. After a company has selected the best baler for its application, there is more that needs to be considered. American Baler has developed a list of the top seven things buyers need to do once they have ordered their balers.

1. FOUNDATION

You will need to consult with a civil engineering company with a concrete specialist to ensure that the foundation will structurally support the weight of the baler and other system components. Just ask the baler manufacturer for the weight and dimensional drawings. You will need to supply these to the engineering firm.

2. ELECTRICAL

You will need an electrical contracting firm that is certified to handle this type of application. One of the most important pieces of information that the contractor will require will be the FLA or full load amps.

FLA requirements include not only the baler but all components that will comprise your baling operation, including conveyors, air systems and fluffers. Each of these units draws amperage and needs to be calculated into the requirements. The FLA information is required so that the electrician can specify the right electrical components required for the hook-up between the main power source and the main control cabinet (MCC) located on the baler.

If the equipment is going to be used in an outdoor application or in an area that will be exposed to moisture, NEMA 4 electrical components must be specified. Of course this will have been part of the discussion you would have had with your baler dealer or OEM to make sure that the equipment that you have selected meets your defined requirement.

3. TRANSPORTATION AND OFF-LOADING

The big day has arrived. Balers are transported by various means, but usually on flatbed trailers. They are then off-loaded by one of several methods, depending on the installation contractor's recommendations. The company doing the installation will need to know the weight of the baler, the height and width of your dock and your existing equipment. Again, the equipment weight and dimensional drawings are critical and will be something that the installers will need. Make sure that the OEM supplies them to you. Using the wrong lifting equipment could result in damage of the equipment or even injury.

At American Baler, the factory or our dealers can make the freight arrangements with a trucking firm that has an establshed track record. This includes providing customer service, such as calling you or your installation contractor 24 hours prior to arriving at the site. Providing you or your contractor with advance notice means that the rigging company has time to get the right equipment in place to off-load your new investment.

Many of our dealers are certified to perform the off-loading. Those who are not certified have contacts within the industry to perform this stage of installation. It is critical to have a company that is certified to carry out this stage, as the baler warranty may be voided if it is not done correctly. Most dealers will be more than pleased to supply you references if you are unfamiliar with them.

4. START-UP AND TRAINING

You are ready to get to work. However, before you can bale your first bale, start-up and training is the next phase of the installation. Again, many dealers are certified for start-up and training your operators on the features of your new investment; maximizing the baler efficiency, maintenance and safety. At American Baler we also have field technicians on staff certified to provide this service, as well, as do some other manufacturers.

Getting trained is serious business, as properly trained operators are vital to an efficient baling operation. Don't rely on the "follow Fred around" approach to baler operator training. At American baler, we believe training is so important, we offer four Service Schools each year.

Service Schools include instruction and hands-on training on how to properly maintain, troubleshoot and operate a baler at maximum efficiency. Representatives from American Baler's engineering, quality assurance and service departments will provide all instruction. All classes are designed to focus on each attendee's individual level of experience relative to his or her baler model.

5. HYDRAULIC FLUIDS 

Your new baler will not be shipped with hydraulic fluid in the tank. Your pre-start-up manual will provide the correct number of gallons of hydraulic fluid to add and a list of suggested fluid manufacturers.

The hydraulic fluid needs to be located at the installation site upon the equipment's arrival so that the installation contractor or dealer's installer can add the fluid into the tank prior to start-up. (For some models it is suggested that the hydraulic fluid be added with an inline filter with no more than 10 microns of filtration. Check your operator's manual for your baler manufacturer's recommendations concerning hydraulic fluid.)

6. BALING WIRE 

Make sure that when it comes time to test the machine you have the correct baling wire. Not using the correct wire can cause serious injury to the operator. Talk to your dealer or the equipment manufacturer about the proper wire size and type.

7. BALING MATERIAL FOR TESTING

When all of the installation procedures have been completed, you will be able to test the equipment to ensure that it is operating as it should. Getting it right at this time will get you to the production numbers more quickly and with fewer headaches. Make sure that you have enough testing material available to properly test the equipment. Since not all equipment can process the same amount of material, it is recommended that you talk to your dealer or the equipment manufacturer so that you have enough material on hand to do a proper test.

Congratulations, you now have your baler ready to go to work. Together, you, your dealer and the manufacturer should have identified all the applications to make sure that you got the equipment that you needed.

Following these seven steps will help ensure that your baler is ready to go to work as soon as the installation is completed. Working closely with the manufacturer and your dealer, this need not be a complex or unorganized event.

The authors are regional sales managers for American baler Co., Bellevue, Ohio. They note that the information in this article is not intended to be all-inclusive. Readers should consult the manufacturer for important information pertaining to their equipment and should use this information with OSHA/ANSI regulations and local or state codes.