Bale Band-It Model 220

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The Bale Band-It™ Model 220 represents the next evolution in Pike Manufacturing Corp.’s industry-leading Bale Band-It lineup.

Building on the proven performance of the Model 210, the Model 220 introduces a range of enhancements designed to maximize uptime, improve operator convenience, and increase overall reliability. A hydraulic oil cooler helps maintain optimal operating temperatures during demanding conditions, while a precision encoder delivers dependable bale position sensing for consistent, accurate operation. Improved ergonomics simplify threading, storing, and installing steel strapping, reducing setup time and operator fatigue. For operators working in rolling or hilly terrain, an optional brake package provides added stability and confidence in the field.

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Vertical Plunger

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Strap Guide Arm

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Main Rail

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Shorter Bale Length

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Tie Cycle

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Electrical

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Hydraulic

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Strapping Flow

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Pickup Unit

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Back Floor

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Large Flotation Tires

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Increased Capacity

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Elevator Bale Management

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Kicker Assembly

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Tie Cycle

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Large Flotation Tires

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Back Gate Slides

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Compression Zones

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Back Floor

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Stepladder

Increased CapacityNew Bale Length RequirementsPickup UnitElevator Bale ManagementKicker AssemblyVertical PlungerStrap Guide ArmTie CycleElectricalHydraulicsStrapping FlowMain RailBundle Concept
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Industry leader in bale capacity at a bale every 5.5 seconds, continuous operation.*

No one allows you to bale faster!

The Model 210 Bale Band-It™ can handle a bale consistently every 5.5 seconds through the tie cycle. This is a rate of 654.5 bales per hour, which is 100 bales per hour more than the Model 100. However, this would be difficult to attain in the field due to turning at the end of rows and the baler not consistently making a bale every 5.5 seconds.  However, it can be approached in short intervals.

A common question is asked “Will the Bale Band-It™ slow down my baling?”.  This depends on a couple of factors.

  • The first factor is whether or not the tractor being used has enough hydraulic capacity. If it has at least 25 gpm (gallons per minute) on a closed center system, then it needs to be hooked up to the Bale Band-It™ properly to prevent flow restrictions.  The speed of the Bale Band-It™ is directly related to the hydraulic flow it receives.   Lower gpm from your tractor will limit the Bale Band-It’s™ speed.
  • The second factor is whether or not the operator is currently baling a decent quality bale.  For example, most baler manuals specify that each stroke should not exceed a 3″ slice in the bale.  So if you wanted to make a 36″ bale, the baler manufacturers recommend a minimum of 12 strokes per bale. If the operator puts at least 12 strokes in each bale (for a 36″ bale), they will have consistent bale lengths and very uniform bales. On a high capacity inline baler that has 100 strokes per min, this would produce approximately 500 bales per hour if baling was non-stop. On other balers the strokes per minute are less, around 92 strokes per minute which is approximately 460 bales per hour if baling was non-stop.

The Bale Band-It 210 gives you a lot of buffer room for operators wanting to bale even faster.  You can see from the above numbers, the Bale Band-It is 140.2 bales / hour over the baler’s highest rating.

You can help your baler’s capacity by your raking techniques.  Consistency in the windrow allows you to drive consistent speeds and helps the baler to put consistent strokes per bale.

Bale faster, bale better, that’s what the Bale Band-It allows you to do.

* Bale capacity assumes a 25+ gpm hydraulic supply from a closed center (piston pump) hydraulic system. Lower gpm means lower capacity.

Small Square Baler Capacities
          3= Inches of hay / stroke (or flake)

Strokes / Min

Bale Length (in)

Bales / hr

100

35

514.3

100

36

500.0

100

37

486.5

100

39

461.5

92

35

473.1

92

36

460.0

92

37

447.6

92

39

424.6

No one gives you a more versatile bale length range.

New Bale Length Requirements:

Minimum:    35”
Maximum*:  42”

Use the Adjustable Bale Stop to dial in the shorter 35″ & 36″ bales.  To adjust simply:

  • Remove 2 bolts
  • Lift Bale Stop, disengaging bottom notches
  • Move to desired notch increment
  • Lower Bale Stop, engaging bottom notches
  • Replace 2 bolts at corresponding hole location

Why does the Band-It™ limit the length of the bale to a minimum of 35”?

Because you demand stable stacks:

The length of the small square bale is the width of the bundle. The shorter your bales, the narrower the base is for the bundle. The narrower the bundle, the more tipsy your stacks will be. Bales less than 35” long from your baler make stacks that are unsafe and unacceptable. The longer the bale, the more stable the stack.

Stable stacks are Safe stacks.
Stack Higher, Stack Safer with Bale Band-It™ Bundles.
What are you going to trust your stacks to?

3 Reasons why short / light bales cost you and your customers more money:

✓ Shipping

✓ Handling

✓ Storage

Shipping:

There is a balance between bales being light enough for the end user, yet enough product in the bale to keep efficiencies.

The Bale Band-It™ has the versatility to utilize the full payload, or to meet the lighter demands of the local market; all the while keeping you out of “Fluff Range” that has troublesome inefficiencies.

Short /light bales are not efficient for Shipping.
Enclosed Van
Trailer, 53′ x 102″ with desired payload of 45,000 lbs.

Bale Weight (lb)

Approx Bale Length (in)

Bales / load**

Payload

% Less Payload

72

42

630

45360

-0.8%

Bale Band-It™ Range

70

42

630

44100

2.0%

65

40

630

40950

9.0%

60

38

672

40320

10.4%

55

38

672

36960

17.9%

50

35

756

37800

16.0%

Fluff Range

45

35

756

34020

24.4%

40

35

756

30240

32.8%
**Assuming bales are in 21 bale bundles.

Handling:

If you have 50% less product in a bale it will take 2 times more handling, for the same amount of hay.

Light bales are not efficient for Handling.

Bale Weight (lb)

% Less Product in each bale

Handling Multiplier***

% More Handling

72

0.0%

0

0

Bale Band-It™ Range

70

2.8%

1.03

2.9%

65

9.7%

1.11

10.8%

60

16.7%

1.20

20.0%

55

23.6%

1.31

30.9%

50

30.6%

1.44

44.0%

Fluff Range

45

37.5%

1.60

60.0%

40

44.4%

1.80

80.0%
*** Handling Multiplier: Multiply your handling cost to move a 72 lb bale by “Multiplier” to see the handling cost of lighter bale weights.

Lighter bales yield:

  • more picking up with your loader
  • more loading on trailers
  • more unloading
  • more cost to operators and end consumers

No matter how you handle the bales, individually or in 21 Bale Band-It™ Bundles, lower bale weight means lower efficiencies. The Bale Band-It™ gives you the versatility to be as efficient as possible. All the while keeping you out of “Fluff Range” that has expensive inefficiencies. Don’t like to handle heavy bales, that’s why the Bale Band-It™ was invented. Takes all the labor out of moving hay until you are ready to feed it…one flake at a time.

Storage:

Short / light bales are not efficient for Storage.
Barn Storage Size:  100′ x 100′ x 18′ inside height clearance

3 Bundles High

4 Bundles High

Bale Weight (lb)

Approx Bale Length (in)

Total Bales

Tons Hay

% Less Hay in Storage

Total Bales

Tons Hay

% Less Hay in Storage

72

42

–

–

–

29,232

1,052

0.0%

Bale Band-It™ Range

70

42

–

–

–

29,232

1,023

2.8%

65

40

–

–

–

31,248

1,016

3.5%

60

38

–

–

–

32,256

968

8.0%

55

38

–

–

–

32,256

887

15.7%

50

35

26,460

662

37.1%

35,280

882

16.2%

Fluff Range

45

35

26,460

595

43.4%

35,280

794

24.6%

40

35

26,460

529

49.7%

35,280

706

33.0%

Can stack short bales 3 bundles high

Short bales not recommended 4 bundles high

* An occasional bale length up to 44″ will go thru the machine with no problems, but it is not recommended to have a bundle full of 44″ bales. 

Adding In-The-Field Versatility.

Bale Pickup Option: One option gives you the best of both worlds

  • Available for any Model 210 Bale Band-It™.  (Pickup option can always be added later.)
  • Switches from Pickup mode to behind the baler in minutes.
  • Great for multi-baler operations where baling window is small and bale pickup window is larger.
    • Allows you to be most efficient during baling time by pulling the Bale Band-It™ behind your baler, then
    • Switch over to Pickup mode to bundle remaining bales from additional balers, keeping capital investment to a minimum.

Features:

  • Robust ground driven design
    • Geared so that you drive the perfect speed, whether fast or slow.  Giving you a smooth pickup without damaging your bale.
  • Floats over rugged terrain
    1. Ground drive wheel is positioned so pickup height is perfect over wide range of slopes.
    2. Skid plates will carry weight of chute if crossing over ditches, while tube extensions float and direct the bale to center of chamber.
    3. When encountering large ditches or end rows, the pickup attachment can be hydraulically raised.

Transport Hitch:

  • 3 available positions:  2 field positions + 1 in-line transport position
  • Pull pin and swing entire transport hitch to dock alongside the frame.

Chute Changeover:

  • Watch how you can easily change from one mode to the next mode in less than 10 minutes!

The following videos show how the Pickup Unit changeover can be completed without the aid of hydraulics.

The following pictorial method shows how you can change from Baler Mode to Pickup Mode using hydraulics to conveniently position chute in place:

Use jack to set desired height

Remove baler hitch from receiver

Slide pickup chute into receiver

Lower & rotate jack in stowaway position

Remove 2 red pins

Rotate Transport Hitch into position

Hook up hydraulics and lift Pickup Unit

Add cylinder safety stop

Install roller chain

Ready to pickup bales!

Photo eye system keeps track of the bales, so you don’t have to.

  • Utilizing the Band-It’s™ Feed as Ready design.
  • Stores bales in elevator until ready for them.
  • Turns elevator on as soon as it can take the next bale in.

Features:

  • Now have 3 photo eyes on horizontal elevator:
  • Provides a longer storage range that is being watched.
  • Increases storage capacity from 1 to 2 bales.
  • Produces a quicker response in heavy hay.
  • Can handle a bale every 5.5 seconds throughout the entire 21 bale cycle.*

* Bale capacity assumes a 25+ gpm hydraulic supply from a closed center (piston pump) hydraulic system. Lower gpm means lower capacity.

New Features:

  • Rotation maintained by self aligning bearings to ease long-term maintenance and replacement.
  • Mounting location positioned to prevent inverting of cylinder even with significant pin wear.
  • Using a non-rotatable, greaseable pin in a hardened drill bushing eliminates wear in cylinder yoke and in rotating arm.
  • Design provides a long service life with inexpensive replacement to a high cycle cylinder.

New Features:

  • Re-engineered with a streamline approach, eliminating parts, opening up clearances, increasing strength, and making it easier and less costly to maintain.
  • The poly wear strips have been replaced with Large Surface Poly Wear Discs that give fine tune adjustability.
  • This allows us to maintain a tighter gear and rack throughout the season, and instead of replacing wear parts (@ 40,000 bales) we now adjust them.
  • With the EZ-Lock Wear Holder, adjustments are quick and no-tools required.
    • Remove the two clip pins.
    • Use the built in wrench to adjust to desired setting.
    • Position and clip wrench back in place.
  • Additional anti-swing ears mounted with UHMW removes the possibility of damage during times when Band-It is de-powered of hydraulics.
  •  New cushioned swing cylinder takes the shock out of a quick moving assembly.

New Features:

Strap Guide Arm Drive

  • Incorporating the drive system within the chassis structure reduced complexity, opened clearances for functionality, and made long-term service a breeze.

Poly Wear Discs

  • The poly wear strips have been replaced with Poly Wear Discs that give fine tune adjustability.  Instead of replacing wear parts (@ 40,000 bales) we now adjust them.  Simplifying operation and reducing wear component costs.

New Features:

  • Revolutionary new design gives 100% more clearance between Strap Guide Arm and Fetcher. Greatly increasing time between required maintenance.
  • Eliminating carriage derailing possibilities.
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UHMW V-Slide Carriage

  • Carriage’s V-Slide UHMW design greatly increases surface area for force to transfer over, while eliminating V groove rollers.
  • Outside UHMW slide is fully adjustable, providing a long lasting wear surface on a low cycle system.
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Fetcher Swing Dovetail Design

  • Fetcher Swing’s dovetail slide design provides positive sensor activation.
  • Ensuring accurate sensing data is sent back to the computer.
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More Fetcher Clearance

  • Revolutionary new design gives 100% more clearance between Strap Guide Arm and Fetcher.
  • Greatly increasing time between required maintenance.
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Carbide Gripper in DeStaCo Clamp

  • Carbide gripper directly mounts into the clamp, simplifying operation.
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DesStaCo Red Handle Clamp

  • Utilizing new DeStaCo product with a 50% larger holding capacity.
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Reduced Cylinder Pressure

  • Reduced pressure to fetcher cylinder during extend & retract strokes.
  • Keeping forces low in fail-safe situations by allowing cylinder stall out while keeping carriage on track.
  • Still maintaining fast flow speeds.
  • Once fetcher is in home position, valve shifts giving full system pressure for clamping.
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Undercarriage Slide

  • Skid plate now slides in a linear motion allowing strapping to vary in performance, yet operate flawlessly in strap retrieval.
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Carriage Stop – Rail Removal

  • Repositioned the stop and greatly increased clearance between fetcher and rails.
  • This opens up the working window to provide incredible dependability even when variables are thrown at it.

Strapping info:

One of the keys to the Bale Band-It’s™ solid packages is the steel strapping that ties it all together.

Standard sized strapping: 1/2″ x 0.020″ regular duty steel strapping with approx 1170lb break strength.

The Band-It requires ‘premium’ grade (not economy grade), regular duty (not high tensile) strapping.

Pike Mfg’s preferred strapping supplier, DuBose Strapping & Packaging, delivers quality strapping at aggressive pricing.  Call DuBose at 800-354-3020 for a strapping quotation.

Beveled Edge for small square bales with twine:

The Bale Band-It™ bevels the edge of the steel strapping as it comes off the banding drum. The strapping comes in contact with the twine at each corner of the bundle. This bevel puts the smooth bent surface against the twine. This allows significant force from the strap to be against the twine while protecting the twine from being cut. For wire bales the beveling can easily be disabled.

Seal-less Seals: The banding operation utilizes a seal-less seal design that stamps the strapping and causes the top and bottom strap to interlock together. There are no left over pieces. There are also no additional pieces, as the seal-less seal design utilizes only the strapping. No clips needed, giving you a stronger more efficient seal.

One set of strapping (2 rolls) will bundle approximately 122 bundles (or 2,562 small square bales).

The fully automatic Bale Band-It™ ties on the go and unloads on the go.  The electrical system requires no operator input for operation. Keep feeding it small square bales and the Bale Band-It will keep bundling 21 bale bundles.

The Bale Band-It Electrical System performs 3 primary functions:

  1. Outputs: Energizes solenoids to drive hydraulic cylinders and motors.
  2. Inputs: Waits to receive information via. photo eyes, reed switches, and Hall effect sensors. –  These sensors track bale status & cylinder / motor position.
  3. Communicates with operator via Wireless Bluetooth® Monitor.

Robust V.6.08 circuit boards are a key component to a proven electrical system.

  • Wireless Bluetooth® module plugs directly onto board.
  • Simple LED indicators give you quick in depth troubleshooting information.
    • Green LED’s indicate outputs computer is sending.
    • Red LED’s indicate inputs computer is receiving.
  • Utilizing Solid State switching components.
  • Mini automotive fuses protect outputs circuits & input devices.
  • Rocker switches utilize the functionally rich features:
    • Easily switch from 18 to 21 bale bundles.
      • 18 bale bundles used for the 16″x18″ small square bale.
      • 21 bale bundles used for the 14″x18″ small square bale.
    • Easily switch a board from the front electrical box to the band electrical box or vice versa.
      • Boards are completely interchangeable.
    • Option Switches provide additional adjust ability to fit your operation.
      • These boards work on any monitor.  Old style or new, switch sequence tells computer what monitor it is communicating with.
      • Monitor can beep or stay silent when unloading a bundle onto the ground.  This is helpful when hay is light and ground speeds are high.
    • AA Lithium Battery maintains bale count memory.  Lasts approx. 3-5 years.
    • Decals strategically placed to give you informative electrical layout information.
    • Manual overrides to manually eject bundle.
    • Switch to turn on flashers.

Hydraulics

  • High pressure filter ensures that the Bale Band-It™ system stays clean.
    • Filter designed to not bypass and allow contamination to enter system.
    • Filters incoming pressure side of hydraulic system, therefore the system is continually being cleaned.
  • Industrial electric over hydraulic valving.
  • Each circuit is separately flow controlled to allow multiple operations to occur without competition for flow.
  • Common O-ring to JIC fittings are used to provide ‘easy to find’ replacement parts.
  • Well placed decals highlighting the functionality of the 3 manifolds.

New Features:

Upper strapping arm now has a wider bolt pattern with additional support by Main Rail mounts.

Its easy no miss-thread design, makes this part more functional and user friendly.

Cross brace design now has UHMW replaceable strap guides providing an easier flow for strapping.

New Features:

  • Upper and lower mounts have far superior design
    • Designed for strength, alignment, and longevity in the field.
    • Upper mounts provide increased leverage and shock capacity back to the chassis.
    • Lower mounts remove clearance tight spots and countersunk hardware that can back out. Now replaced with standard 5/8” hex cap screw and secured with a nylon locknut. Maintenance in high shock area – eliminated.

Now nickel coated

  • Provides excellent corrosion resistance even when not in use.
  • Slicker surface reduces wear on Poly Wear Discs.

Bales are fed directly from the baler into the Bale Band-It™.  The Bale Band-It™ takes the bales and turns them on edge and stacks them 3 high in the stacking chamber.  When the stacking chamber is full, the horizontal plunger pushes these 3 bales into the main chamber.  This process is repeated until it has 7 tiers of 3 bales high.  The horizontal plunger then compresses these bales against the back gates, while it ties the 21 bale pack with 2 steel straps.  Producing a bundle measuring approx 3.5’ wide x 4.5’ tall x 8’ long.

Why do we use compression grooves?

  • Because you want solid self supporting packages.
  • This is the single most important factor in  keeping tight packages. Exclusive to the Bale Band-It™.
    • Grooves are compressed 3” top and bottom to tie the strapping 12” shorter than the outside dimensions of the Bundle.
    • Strapping is placed against the most dense part of the hay in the compression grooves.
    • Even after the hay shrinks and many handlings later you have a package that is solid and easy to move.
  • Because someone in the supply chain will want to use standard pallet forks.
    • 3” grooves provide ample room to get under bundles and to separate bundles on top of bundles.
    • Don’t limit your customers with special attachments, they demand more.

How the Band-It Bundles are revolutionizing the hay industry

From Baler To Bundle

From Ground To Trailer

From Trailer To Storage

From Storage To End User

From Bundle To Ready To Use

Hay Bundle

Using packaging to eliminate manual labor from producer to end consumer!

“Best invention since the pallet.”

How the Band-It Bundles are revolutionizing the straw industry

From Baler To Bundle

From Ground To Trailer

From Trailer To Storage

From Storage To End User

From Bundle To Ready To Use

Compression Grooves

Using packaging to eliminate manual labor from producer to end consumer.

“The pallet revolutionized the dry goods shipping industry; Band-It Bundles are revolutionizing the hay shipping & storage industry.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in Pittsfield, IL.

Typically, 122 bundles.

Up to 600

~$3.50 – $3.75 (2024)

  • 21 (14” x 18” bales)
  • 18 (16” x 18” bales)

35” – 42”, any density

  • Closed Center
  • 2500 PSI at 25 GPM
  • 1” ID hydraulic hoses
  • Minimum 90 HP Tractor

See Operator’s Manual

See Operator’s Manual

27. See Operator’s Manual for locations.