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Baling Pine Straw using a Hand Powered Box BalerPine Straw Hand Baler PlansA hand-powered, box baler can be easily constructed from common materials as outlined below. A average person should be able to bale approximately 100, 35-40 pound bales per day using this baler. Download a printer friendly PDF Version.
Instructions
Move the mouse pointer over the letter to view a description of that part.
Plunger handle
Made from 2x3 or 2x4 stock. 50 inches long. Round over edges for comfort
Lever
Use 2x3 or 2x4 stock. Measure 9.5 inches long from bolt 1 - 2 and 7 inches long from bolt 2 - 3. Attach to handle (A) with 3 bolts. Use double washers with bolts 1 and 2. Don't overtighten.
Compressor Arm
Made from 2x4 stock. 24 inches long. Connects to lever (B) using bolt 2 (use double washers). Don't overtighten.
Compressor Pad
Made from 1/2 inch thick plywood. 10.5" long by 12.5" wide. Connect to Compressor Arm (C) and Supports (E) with construction adhesive and deck screws
Pad Supports
Made from 2x4 stock. 10.5" long. Connect to Compressor Arm (C) and Pad (D) with glue and deck screws
Lever Fulcrum
Made from 2x4 stock 63" long, equal with box base and protrudes 20" above the box height. Connect to Plywood back with screws and Lever (B) with bolt and washers. Don't overtighten.
String Holder
Drive an 1.5-inch long nail or screw into the box back on each side of Fulcrum (F). Used to hold the baling string in place as pine straw is loaded into the baler.
Front Brace
Made from 1x2 stock. Cut to 18 inches long.
Sides and Back
Use 1/2" exterior grade plywood. Sides are 43 x 12 inches. Back is 43 x 15.5 inches. Connect to corner Braces (J) with 1-1/4 deck screws and construction adhesive.
Corner Supports
Made from four, 2 x 4 stock pieces cut to 43" length. Connect to corner plywood back and sides with with 1-1/4 deck screws and construction adhesive.
Door
Use 1/2" exterior grade plywood cut to 15.5" x 38". Cut two slots in the door. Make a groove at the bottom of the slot to hold the string in proper alignment.
String Retaining Bolts
Four eye-bolts at the bottom of the baler are important to hold the string in the proper alignment as the pine straw is loaded and compressed.
Deck
Make a 59" x 15.5" frame from 2x4s. Include a central brace Cover with 1/2" exterior-grade plywood.
String
Rolls of nylon string are mounted on a plywood platform on each side of the box.
Latch
Use a barrel-bolt latch at th top of the door (shown next to J). Use a 2 x 3 brace to secure the bottom of the door during baling.
Pine Straw Hand Baling Sequence of Steps
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