Round bales

The popularity of large round bales can be attributed to low labor demand. Common bale sizes range from 4’ diameter by 4’ long weighing about 600 pounds to 6’ diameter by 6’ long weighing about 2000 pounds. Normal baling rates range from 8 to 16 tons per hour. Most large, round balers are comparable in price to small rectangular balers. In overly dry hay, alfalfa leaf loss can be as high as 10 percent at the pickup and 25 percent in the baling chamber.