A vertical baler is a compact, hand-loaded machine for modest amounts of cardboard and plastic. A horizontal baler is a larger machine, usually fed by a conveyor, that bales high volumes with little hands-on work. It is time to upgrade when your vertical baler can no longer keep up: staff spend hours a day loading and tying bales, cardboard piles up while they wait, or you have added a second or third vertical baler to cope.
What is a vertical baler?
A vertical baler stands upright and is loaded through a front door. When the chamber is full, a ram presses the material down. Staff repeat this until the bale is complete, then tie it off by hand and eject it. Common sizes are 60-inch and 72-inch models. A 60-inch vertical baler commonly makes cardboard bales of about 800 to 1,200 lb.
Vertical balers have a small footprint, so they fit in store back rooms and beside loading docks. They are the standard choice for retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores and small warehouses.
What is a horizontal baler?
A horizontal baler lies on its side and compresses material sideways. Material is usually fed by conveyor or dropped into a hopper, so loading can be nearly continuous. An auto-tie horizontal baler ties each bale automatically and pushes it out, ready for a forklift.
Horizontal balers take up much more floor space and usually need more electrical power than vertical balers. They suit distribution centers, manufacturing plants and large retail operations with high, steady volumes.
Vertical vs. horizontal baler at a glance
| Vertical baler | Horizontal auto-tie baler | |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | By hand, through a front door | Conveyor or hopper, often continuous |
| Tying bales | By hand | Automatic |
| Floor space | Small | Large |
| Volume | Low to moderate | High to very high |
| Labor | Staff time for every bale | Mostly feeding the conveyor and moving bales |
| Typical users | Stores, restaurants, small warehouses | Distribution centers, plants, large retail operations |
What are the signs it is time to upgrade?
Watch for these signs:
- Staff spend a large part of the day baling. If one or more people spend hours each shift loading and tying bales, labor may cost more than the equipment.
- Cardboard piles up. If boxes stack up beside the baler or overflow into the trash, the baler is too small for your volume.
- You run several vertical balers. Two or three vertical balers side by side can often be replaced by one horizontal baler.
- Cardboard is going into the trash. When staff cannot keep up, recyclables end up in the compactor, where you pay to haul them as trash.
- Your volume is growing. A new distribution line, more deliveries or a bigger store can push past what a vertical baler can handle.
What should you plan for before upgrading?
A horizontal baler is a bigger project than a vertical one. Before you upgrade, think about:
- Space. You need room for the baler, the conveyor or hopper, and a clear area to move finished bales with a forklift.
- Power. Horizontal balers usually need a heavier electrical supply. An electrician should confirm what your building has.
- Workflow. Plan how material will reach the conveyor and where bales will wait for pickup.
- Your recycler. Make sure your recycler can collect the larger bales and the number of bales you expect. If you need a recycler, we can point you to one in your area.
Does a horizontal baler pay off?
It depends on your volume. Recyclers commonly pay for baled cardboard, though prices move with the market. The bigger savings often come from reduced labor and fewer trash hauls, because cardboard that is baled is cardboard you are not paying to haul as trash. For a business with low volume, a vertical baler is usually enough. For high volume, a horizontal baler can save hours of work each day.
What happens to your old vertical baler?
You do not have to leave it sitting in a corner. The USA Compactors Trade-In Program gives you a trade-in credit for used equipment, which you can apply toward renting new equipment. Rental includes delivery, installation, maintenance and repairs, and installs are completed in 45 days or less.
Call 855-603-6663 or request a free quote to find out whether your volume calls for a horizontal baler.
Common questions
Can a horizontal baler handle materials other than cardboard?
Many can bale plastic film, paper and other recyclables, one material at a time. If you need to bale several materials, ask whether a two-ram baler fits better.
Do I need a forklift for a horizontal baler?
Usually, yes. Horizontal baler bales are heavy and are typically moved with a forklift or pallet jack.
Can I keep a vertical baler for small amounts and add a horizontal one?
Yes. Some sites keep a vertical baler for a second material, such as plastic film, while the horizontal baler handles cardboard.