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Looking to Sell Your Balers for Sale (Recycling, Plastic, Waste)?
Meadoworks is an active cash buyer of used industrial equipment. Get a free valuation from our AMEA-certified appraisers.
What Is a Baler?
Meadoworks regularly handles used balers for plastic, cardboard, paper, metal, and mixed waste recycling — from small vertical down-stroke balers for retail back-of-house to massive two-ram horizontal auto-tie balers for material recovery facilities. Whether you need a baler machine for in-house plastic film recycling, a horizontal baler for a waste-paper line, or a heavy-duty two-ram baler for a high-volume MRF, our team can help you find the right used baler for sale from International Baler, Marathon, Harris, Selco, Macpresse, and other respected brands.
A baler is a hydraulic compaction machine that compresses loose recyclable or waste material — cardboard, paper, plastic film, plastic bottles, metal cans, fabric, or mixed waste — into dense, tied bales for efficient storage, handling, and transportation. Properly baled material takes a fraction of the truck space of loose material, dramatically reducing freight costs and warehouse footprint while increasing the resale value of recyclables.
Balers are categorized by orientation and operation. Vertical down-stroke balers are compact, manually loaded units that compress material downward into a chamber — ideal for retail stores, restaurants, and low-volume back-of-house recycling of OCC (cardboard), plastic film, and aluminum cans. Horizontal balers feed material in from the top or side and compress horizontally, producing higher throughput and bale density. Horizontal balers come in manual-tie and auto-tie configurations — auto-tie balers automatically tie bales with wire, dramatically reducing labor and increasing throughput.
Two-ram balers are the heaviest-duty option, with a separate compaction ram and ejection ram. They produce extremely dense bales of mixed materials and are the standard for high-volume MRFs and end-of-line waste handling. When buyers search for “baler for sale,” “recycling baler,” “plastic baler,” or “horizontal baler,” they typically evaluate throughput (bales/hr), bale dimensions, bale weight, charge box opening, and brand. International Baler, Marathon, Harris, Macpresse, Selco, and Sierra are among the most-traded brands in North America.
Types of Balers
Vertical Down-Stroke Balers
Compact, manually loaded units that compress material vertically. 4-30 ton ram force. Ideal for retail, food service, and small-volume cardboard or plastic film recycling.
Horizontal Manual-Tie Balers
Mid-range balers with horizontal compaction and manual wire tying. Higher throughput than verticals at lower capital cost than auto-tie units.
Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers (Single Ram)
High-throughput balers that automatically tie bales with wire after compression. Standard for production printing, paper mills, and mid-size MRFs.
Two-Ram Balers
Heavy-duty horizontal balers with separate compaction and ejection rams. Produce extremely dense bales of mixed material. The standard for large MRFs and waste-handling.
Specialty Plastic / Film Balers
Balers configured specifically for low-density plastic film, post-consumer plastic bottles, or PET flake. Often paired with metering bins and conveyors.
Tire & Metal Balers
Heavy-duty balers built for tires, metal cans, and miscellaneous heavy waste. Typically high-tonnage two-ram designs with reinforced chambers.
Related Equipment Categories
Used Plastic Shredders
Pre-baling size reduction for bulky waste streams.
Used Plastic Granulators
Beside-the-press and central granulators for clean regrind.
Used Optical Sorters
Sort feedstock to baler-ready single-stream material.
Used Packaging Equipment
Stretch wrappers, case sealers, palletizers, and end-of-line packaging.
All Recycling Equipment
Browse the full Meadoworks recycling equipment catalog.
Top Baler Brands
International Baler
Florida-based U.S. manufacturer with the broadest baler model range — vertical, horizontal, and two-ram balers used by recyclers nationwide.
Marathon
Marathon Equipment manufactures vertical, horizontal, and self-contained balers and compactors for retail, industrial, and waste applications.
Harris
Harris Centennial and Selectus baler lines — high-end auto-tie horizontal and two-ram balers for MRFs and large recyclers.
Macpresse
Italian-built Macpresse Mac series two-ram and three-ram balers — high-density bales for premium recovered fiber and plastic markets.
Selco
U.S. baler manufacturer with strong presence in mid-size recycling and waste applications.
Sierra International
Sierra builds heavy-duty two-ram balers and metal-recycling equipment trusted by scrap dealers and large MRFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a baler used for?
A baler compresses loose recyclable or waste materials — cardboard, plastic film, plastic bottles, paper, metal cans, mixed waste — into dense, tied bales for efficient storage, handling, and shipping. Baling reduces freight costs, increases warehouse density, and significantly increases the resale value of recyclables.
What is the difference between a vertical and a horizontal baler?
Vertical down-stroke balers are compact, manually loaded units ideal for retail and low-volume applications. Horizontal balers feed material from the top and compress horizontally — they offer higher throughput, higher bale density, and (in auto-tie configurations) much lower labor requirements. Horizontal balers cost more but pay back quickly in high-volume operations.
How much does a used baler cost?
Used baler prices range from $3,000-$12,000 for small vertical units, $15,000-$60,000 for horizontal manual-tie balers, $50,000-$250,000 for horizontal auto-tie balers, and $100,000-$600,000+ for two-ram MRF balers. Brand, age, and condition heavily influence pricing.
Which baler brands does Meadoworks carry?
We regularly handle used balers from International Baler, Marathon, Harris, Macpresse, Selco, Sierra, Lyndon, and other manufacturers. Inventory rotates frequently — many balers come from facility closures, retail consolidations, and MRF capacity adjustments. Call 800-323-0307 for current availability.
What size baler do I need?
Sizing depends on your material volume (lb/day or yd³/day), throughput requirements, available floor space, and target bale market. As a starting point: 1-3 vertical bales/hr suit retail; horizontal manual-tie balers handle 1-3 tons/hr; auto-tie horizontals handle 5-25 tons/hr; two-ram balers handle 10-40+ tons/hr. Send Meadoworks your application and we'll recommend a suitable used baler.
Can a baler handle plastic, cardboard, and paper in the same machine?
Most balers can handle a range of materials, though bale density and throughput vary. Vertical balers run cardboard, plastic film, and aluminum cans well. Horizontal balers handle most fiber and plastic streams. Specialty plastic film balers and PET balers may be configured specifically for low-density material. Always verify the baler's specifications for your particular feedstock.
Do you ship balers internationally?
Yes. Meadoworks ships used balers worldwide. We coordinate with experienced rigging and freight forwarding partners for these large, heavy machines — including loading, ocean freight, and customs documentation.
Buying Guides & Resources
Used Baler Buying Guide
How to evaluate, size, and purchase a used recycling or waste baler.
Read GuideUsed Plastics Equipment Guide
Buying used plastics processing equipment for recycling operations.
Read GuideHow Industrial Auctions Work
Buying recycling equipment at industrial auctions and plant closing sales.
Read GuideKey Takeaways
- 3 main baler types: vertical down-stroke, horizontal manual-tie, and horizontal auto-tie (single or two-ram)
- Bale density ranges from ~150 lb/cu ft (loose vertical) to 1,400+ lb/cu ft (HD horizontal auto-tie)
- Top brands: International Baler, Marathon, Harris, Selco, Macpresse, Lyndon, Sierra
- Used baler pricing ranges from $5K vertical balers to $400K+ two-ram MRF balers
- Always inspect ram condition, hydraulic system, tying mechanism, and electrical controls before purchase
What to Look For When Buying a Used Baler
Inspect ram and chamber condition
The ram is the highest-stress component on a baler. Look for misalignment, scoring, and excessive play in the gibbing. The chamber walls should be free of cracks and major wear, especially around the bale ejection area.
Test the hydraulic system thoroughly
Run multiple cycles and watch for slow operation, leaks, foamy fluid, or unusual noise from the pump. Pressure-test the system if possible. A failed cylinder or hydraulic pump is a major rebuild cost on a baler.
Verify the tying mechanism
Auto-tie balers depend on a complex needle, knotter, and wire-feed system. Wire jams, missed ties, and broken needles are common failure modes. Watch the baler tie a full cycle and inspect knotter condition.
Check electrical controls and safety interlocks
Baler control systems include emergency stops, gate interlocks, light curtains (newer machines), and tonnage monitors. Older balers may need control upgrades to meet current OSHA expectations.
Confirm bale dimensions and density
Different markets require different bale specifications. Verify the baler produces bales meeting your target buyer's specs (typically 60" x 30" x 36-50" for OCC; densities vary by material).
Review feed system and conveyors
A complete baling line typically includes infeed conveyors, metering bins, and bale handling equipment. Confirm what's included with the baler — aftermarket conveyors and material handling can add 30-50% to the project cost.
Used Baler Pricing Guide
Used baler prices depend on baler type, ram force, throughput, brand, age, and condition. The ranges below are typical for inspected machines from Meadoworks and the broader used market.
| Configuration | Typical Used Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small vertical down-stroke baler (4-15 ton) | $3,000 - $12,000 | Retail back-of-house, OCC, plastic film |
| Large vertical baler (20-60 ton) | $8,000 - $25,000 | Higher-volume vertical recycling |
| Horizontal manual-tie baler | $15,000 - $60,000 | Mid-volume cardboard, plastic film |
| Horizontal auto-tie baler (single ram) | $50,000 - $250,000 | Production printing, paper mills, MRFs |
| Two-ram baler (mid-size) | $100,000 - $300,000 | Mid-size MRFs, mixed plastic, metal |
| Two-ram baler (large MRF) | $250,000 - $600,000+ | High-throughput MRFs, multi-stream |
Premium brand premiums (International Baler, Macpresse, Harris) typically run 20-30% above generic equivalents. Late-model auto-tie balers with low cycle counts hold value best. Call 800-323-0307 for current pricing.
Need help finding the right baler?
Tell us your material, volume, and bale specifications. Our team has 50+ years of experience matching recyclers, MRFs, and waste handlers to the right used baler — including unlisted machines from facility closures.
