Which balers does manual tie wire go in?

Bale ties (or tie wires) work with manual horizontal and manual vertical balers. Unlike automatic balers, operators physically tie off compressed materials using pre-cut bale ties. 

Learn about baler types and bale ties. Then, shop our selection of bale ties for a reliable and durable baling solution.

Automatic vs. manual balers

The main difference between manual and auto-tie balers is the way that the bale wire is bound.

Automatic balers use long coils of box wire or carrier wire to continuously tie bales without human intervention. They populate high-throughput industrial operations that handle most types of recyclables.

Manual balers compress materials and hold them in place while baler operators feed and tie bale ties to secure the bale. They are common in consumer-facing businesses, warehouses, small material recovery facilities, and other operations with low to medium recycling needs. They usually process paper, cardboard, or plastic.

Horizontal vs. vertical manual balers

Manual balers can be horizontal or vertical, though most are vertical.

Manual horizontal balers

Manual horizontal balers compress materials horizontally to produce large, dense bales. They’re used for heavy or bulky recyclable materials like metals, thick plastics, or industrial scrap. These balers require substantial floor space due to their long design. They are suited for facilities with ample room, such as warehouses or manufacturing plants.

Their higher costs and specialized applications make them less common than manual-tie vertical balers. Horizontal balers are typically reserved for operations prioritizing bale density over convenience.

Manual vertical balers

Manual vertical balers compress materials downward into compact bales. They are space-efficient solutions for small businesses such as retail stores, offices, or supermarkets. Their affordability, compact footprint, and ease of operation have made them the most common manual baler type for low- to medium-volume recyclers.

Recycling applications for manual-tie balers

Businesses utilize manual-tie balers for light, single-material recycling, including:

Manual balers usually lack the force to process heavy-duty materials such as scrap metal, mixed recyclables, or expansive materials.

Single loop vs. double loop bale ties

Single loop and double loop bale ties are compatible with manual tie balers.

Single loop bale ties

Single-loop bale ties have a straightforward design with one pre-formed loop at the end of the wire. These ties are threaded through the compressed bale, and the free end is twisted or fastened using a hand tool like pliers or a manual twister.

The simplicity of single-loop ties also limits their security, as the entire bale’s stability hinges on one knot. They are best suited for low-stress applications, such as baling paper materials, cardboard, or thin plastics, where the risk of shifting or breakage during transport is minimal. 

Double loop bale ties

Double-loop bale tie wires incorporate two pre-formed loops. This design allows the tie to be quickly hooked together. This connection is more secure than a single loop tie, but since double loop bale ties are pre-cut, they can only be used with a particular bale size.

Our Selection of Bale Ties for Manual Tie Balers

Baling Wire Direct is a leading baling wire manufacturer. Our American-made bale ties come with metallurgical traceability documents as proof of quality and performance. Choose from our high-quality bale tying solutions, including galvanized, black annealed, and bright bale ties.

Galvanized bale ties

Our galvanized bale ties deliver exceptional corrosion resistance and reliable security. Because of our hot dip galvanization process, these ties can endure tough conditions, such as wet recycling facilities or outdoor storage. The result: long-lasting performance in the most challenging environments.

We sell the following galvanized bale tie products:

Black annealed bale ties

Black annealed bale ties are flexible and easy to use, which is achieved through a heat-treatment process that increases ductility. Their soft, pliable construction makes manual twisting quick and effortless.

We sell the following black annealed bale tie products:

Bright bale ties

For a cost-effective solution, our bright bale ties offer strong binding without additional coatings. The smooth, uncoated steel finish is perfect for client-facing use or dry settings where corrosion resistance isn’t a priority.

Bright bale ties we offer include:

Bale ties are just one of the baling wire products we offer.

Baling wire products we offer

Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.

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