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Waiting for natural dew
to soften alfalfa before baling
is a challenge for producers
in arid areas.
The Dew Simulator is designed to re-hydrate dry alfalfa windrows from 6-10% moisture back up to 14-16% moisture in dry, arid climates that don’t see a lot of natural moisture and have to rely on the dew to bale.
Why a HydroBale™ Dew Simulator?
By adding the moisture back into the windrow before baling, operators have the ability to open up their baling window, bale longer hours, and make better quality alfalfa bales.
Ideal Moisture
Control Your Time
Increase Bale Value
How Does a HydroBale™ Dew Simulator Work?
The Dew Simulator operates as an innovative step before baling. This advanced machine preheats water to an impressive 240°F, delivering a hot mist to the windrow through a reel equipped with tines. These tines penetrate the windrow, spraying from the bottom up, mimicking the natural dew process in windrowed alfalfa. This method has proven to be more effective than using cold water, as the heated mist softens the plant material, helping the crop retain more leaves.
"better pack, better stroke, better flake..."
"...We’ve used it every cutting, every field, every time. It helps with us on our window of being able to bale. We can start a little bit before the dew comes in or if there is a storm approaching, we begin baling right then and there.... "
David Andrade, Utah
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"...we shoot for a target moisture and bale all day."
"...We can actually control exactly what we want as far as moisture level in the bale. Typically we like to bale with the Dew Simulator and bale through an entire day. We don’t just shoot for a two hour target of time. We shoot for a target moisture and bale all day... "
Gale Carr, Fort Hancock, TX
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"You can soften the windrow a lot quicker ..."
"We’re seeing better yields, our tests are equal to hay put up with natural dew and in some cases even better depending on the field. Overall it has really changed the way we’ve run our production”..."
Kurt Bohrer, Wyoming
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HydroBale™ Dew Simulator FAQs
While size isn't a critical factor, a 1000RPM PTO and ideally a weight of 10,000 lbs are essential. If you're baling on hilly terrain, a heavier tractor might be necessary. With the Dew Sim and a 1000-gallon water tank, you're looking at approximately 15,000 lbs, which can significantly impact the tractor's stability on a slope.
The timing of baling is crucial and hinges on evaporation conditions. When temperatures soar above 90 degrees or winds exceed 10 mph, baling can occur almost instantly. However, during a calm evening after sunset, it's beneficial for growers to wait about 15 minutes, allowing the windrows to soften further for optimal results.
The effectiveness of treatment hinges on the moisture level in the windrow. Typically, 1000 gallons can treat between 30 to 50 tons before a refill is necessary. Increasing moisture from a 6% windrow demands more water compared to starting from an 11% windrow.
To ensure optimal performance and prevent clogging of filters and tips, it's essential to use clean water. Our unit is equipped with two filters. For areas with particularly hard water, we suggest using an additive to keep minerals suspended, allowing them to pass through the tips smoothly. While the use of a surfactant is optional, it can significantly enhance the distribution of water droplets across plant surfaces, improving penetration and softening. We recommend using ERADI(Ca)TE Plus for the best results.
Operation speeds range from 2 to 10 mph, ensuring seamless alignment with baling speed. Water delivery is tailored, providing 10 to 18 gallons per ton based on hay dryness, optimizing moisture levels. Treatment width is versatile, adjustable between 40 and 59 inches, while treatment height can be customized from 8 to 20 inches. Tip selection is precisely matched to treating and baling speed, efficiently covering 10-60 tons per hour with three specialized tip sets.
Guidelines are available to help set the pressure for the flow rate, and while there is a slight learning curve, it's manageable. It's essential for the dew simulator operator to maintain communication with the baler operator during the baling process. The baler operator should aim for baler pressures that mimic ideal dew conditions.
Instead of a boiler, we utilize advanced water heaters. Operating under pressure ranging from 400 to 1100 psi, we efficiently apply a "heated mist" to meet our needs.
The Dew Simulator should consistently operate at the same speed as one large baler or double the speed of two small square balers or two round balers. When baling at 12 mph, the Dew Simulator can effectively treat at the same speed, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
During the peak of summer, maintaining quality can be challenging. Our innovative unit is designed to extend your baling window, allowing you to work efficiently a few hours before the dew sets in and a few hours after it dissipates. And if the dew doesn't arrive, you can confidently continue your work without interruption.