Forces exerted on cotton bales with six- and eight-tie patterns of steel strapping

Three studies were conducted to ascertain the impact of number of bale ties , density, and climatic storage conditions on bale tie forces. One study us ing sir or eight ties per bale and platen separations of 48.3 or 53.3 cm (1 9 or 21 in,), bale tie lengths of 215.9 or 226.1 cm (85 or 89 in.), and sto rage at high humidity and normal humidity indicated that the average force on the six-tie pattern was about 22% higher than for the eight-tie pattern. Tie five was located in about the same position for both patterns and exer ted about 20% more force for the sir-tie pattern. The force exerted on indi vidual restraint ties on a gin universal density cotton bale differed drama tically for different tie locations. Bale tie forces increased dramatically immediately after the bale was released from the press and tended to stabi lize after 60 days. Cotton bales gained moisture at a declining rate until they reached equilibrium with the moisture in the air after about 100 days of storage. Irt a second study different force levels were required to comp ress cotton bales at different tie locations suggesting a different amount of lint near each tie. In a third study, which compared eight bale ties to five ties at the same locations on both bales, tie forces averaged about 36 % higher for the bale with five ties.