Square Baler vs Round Baler: 4 Models Compared for Hay and Straw

2026年10月10日41 조회수

A square baler or a mini round baler can turn loose hay and straw into a product you can store, stack and sell. But the two machines suit very different farms. A square baler makes dense rectangular bales and has high output; a mini round baler is light, compact and works with very small tractors. This guide compares our four baler models side by side, so dealers and farmers can match the right machine to tractor power, field size and bale market.

Table of Contents

Four Baler Models Compared

Shenghang builds two square baler models (9YF series) and two mini round models (9YK series). All are PTO-driven. Full details are on our balers page.

9YF-1750 square baler: 1750 mm collecting width, bale section 450 × 350 mm, length 500–1200 mm, about 1700 kg, for 50–100 hp tractors.
9YF-2200 square baler: 2200 mm collecting width, bale section 470 × 360 mm, length 500–1200 mm, about 1800 kg, for tractors over 60 hp.
9YK0850 mini round: 800 mm collecting width, bale φ500 × 700 mm, about 415 kg, for 18–50 hp tractors.
9YK0870 mini round: 800 mm collecting width, bale φ600 × 700 mm, about 440 kg, for 25–75 hp tractors.

When a Square Baler Is the Better Choice

A square baler has much higher output and suits larger farms, contractors and anyone who sells or ships hay. Rectangular bales stack neatly in barns, trucks and containers with little wasted space, so storage and transport cost per tonne is lower. Bales are light enough to handle by hand or with simple loaders, which is ideal for selling hay by the bale and for feeding animals in measured amounts. The adjustable bale length of 500–1200 mm lets you match bales to your buyers. The wider 9YF-2200 pickup gathers larger windrows in one pass, raising output with heavy straw crops.

When a Mini Round Baler Makes More Sense

Mini round models need little power, so they suit small farms, small tractors and hilly or narrow fields. At about 415–440 kg they are easy to hitch and move. Small cylindrical bales shed rain better when stored outside, and they are easy to roll and carry by hand. For a smallholder with a 25 hp tractor, the 9YK0850 or 9YK0870 is usually the practical starting point.

Matching the Square Baler to Your Tractor

18–50 hp: 9YK0850 mini round.
25–75 hp: 9YK0870 mini round.
50–100 hp: 9YF-1750 square baler.
Over 60 hp: 9YF-2200 square baler for wide, heavy windrows.

Need a tractor to match? See our 4WD tractors from 20 to 200 hp or use the selection assistant.

Hay, Straw and Residue: What Can You Bale?

Both types bale grass hay, alfalfa, wheat and rice straw, corn stalks and similar crops. Straw collected after the grain harvest becomes bedding, feed, mushroom substrate or biomass fuel instead of being burned in the field. That adds income and reduces smoke, and it is part of sustainable agricultural mechanization and good residue management.

Tips for Dense, Even Bales

Mow at the right stage with a mower, then turn and rake into even, straight windrows.
Bale when moisture is low enough for safe storage; damp bales heat and mould.
Drive at a steady speed and weave slightly across wide windrows so both sides of the bale fill.
Adjust density until bales hold their shape without breaking twine.
Before the season, check knotters and the twine path, grease all points, inspect pickup tines and carry spare shear bolts.

Storing and Selling Your Bales

Good storage protects the value of every bale. Stack bales on pallets or a dry floor, away from standing water, and leave gaps for air to move. Under a roof or a well-tied tarpaulin, hay keeps its colour and feed value for months. Outdoors, small round bales shed rain better than rectangular ones. When selling, uniform bale size and weight make pricing simple for both buyer and seller, and neat stacks load faster onto trucks.

Move finished bales with a long-body farm trailer to complete the forage line.

Square Baler FAQ

What bale size does a square baler make?

The 9YF-1750 makes 450 × 350 mm bales and the 9YF-2200 makes 470 × 360 mm bales, both 500–1200 mm long.

Can a mini round baler work with a 20 hp tractor?

Yes. The 9YK0850 is listed for 18–50 hp tractors.

Can these balers handle rice straw?

Yes, as well as wheat straw, grass hay, alfalfa and corn stalks.

Which hay baler is best for a small farm?

With an 18–50 hp tractor, the 9YK0850 is the usual start; with 25–75 hp, the 9YK0870. Larger farms that sell hay by the bale choose a 9YF square model.

Can the same machine work as a straw baler?

Yes. All four models work as a straw baler for wheat and rice straw and corn stalks after the grain harvest, as well as for grass hay and alfalfa. Baled straw can be sold for bedding, feed, mushroom substrate or biomass fuel.

What details do you need for a quotation?

Tell us your tractor horsepower and PTO speed, the crops you bale (grass, alfalfa, straw or corn stalks), the bale size your buyers want, the quantity and the destination port. With these details our team can confirm the right model, suggest spare parts and quote freight by sea or rail. Dealers can mix several sizes in one container to lower the cost per unit. Contact us on WhatsApp.

What twine should I use?

Use good-quality twine of the size recommended for the knotter, and store it dry and out of direct sunlight. Old or uneven twine is a common cause of missed knots and broken bales, so carry spare rolls during the season.

How do I prepare the machine for storage?

Clean out all hay and straw, especially around the knotter and pickup, grease every point and store the machine under cover. Check tines, bearings and the knotter before the next season, so worn parts can be ordered in time.

Related guide: our sickle bar mower vs disc mower guide explains which mower to use before baling.

Get a Quote

Send us the model, quantity and destination port, and we will reply with a quotation for your square baler or mini round baler. View all models on our square baler and round baler page, and see export and shipping options.