Balers and Baler Handling Equipment – William Alderson

This book follows the development of balers from the very early crude machines of the 1880s up to the large square bale monsters of the 21^st century.  The need for baled material was brought about by the increasing amount of this bulky produce being transported by road, and in some cases over considerable distance.

During the First World War, there were over one million army horses in France, all had to be fed on hay from British farms. In the interwar years the British built stationary baler reigned supreme, then by the late thirties American and European firms were developing the “Pick up Baler”. With British manufactures becoming involved in development from the forties onward.

Once baled, the forage also needed handling, from the earliest devices that were towed around behind balers.

In conclusion, the author looks at the more recent developments, fuelled by the need for larger quantities of forage and straw to be quickly baled and handled.

Extensively illustrated with early archive black and white images and colour scenes through the ages.