A Study on Densification of Timoty (Phleum pratense) Hay at Different Moisture Content

In this study wilted Timothy plants with different levels of moisture content were compressed using a laboratory hydraulic press. The moisture content of hay varied from 7.0 to 20.0% wet basis (wb) and applied pressure varied from 0.0 to 21.0 MPa. During each compressing interval, the thickness of compressed hay was measured and the density of the resulting laboratory scale bales was calculated. In general, the density of the bales increased and their thicknesses decreased with the applied pressure, however the trends were not linear. The maximum density of the resulting bales was about 1163.0 kg m-3 which occurred at 21.0 MPa pressure for 16.0 and 20.0% moisture levels. After reaching equilibrium moisture content with the environment, the bales prepared from the hay with 7% moisture attained the lowest density while the bales made from hay with 16% moisture content had the highest density.