{"id":679,"date":"2026-06-22T09:58:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T09:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/?p=679"},"modified":"2026-06-22T10:02:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T10:02:26","slug":"how-to-reduce-rice-straw-field-burning-using-a-round-baler-and-biomass-subsidy-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/application\/how-to-reduce-rice-straw-field-burning-using-a-round-baler-and-biomass-subsidy-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce Rice Straw Field Burning Using a Round Baler and Biomass Subsidy Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rice Straw Management \u2014 Field Burning Reduction Guide<\/p>\n

A practical knowledge guide for Korean farmers, agricultural contractors, and biomass energy operators on replacing open field burning with mechanised round baler collection \u2014 and accessing the subsidy programmes that make it financially viable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. The Hidden Cost of Burning Rice Straw \u2014 And a Better Path Forward<\/h2>\n

Every autumn across South Korea’s rice-growing provinces \u2014 from Chungnam and Jeonbuk to the broad plains of Gyeonggi \u2014 the harvest season ends with a familiar sight: columns of grey smoke rising from thousands of small paddy fields where farmers are burning their leftover rice straw. The practice is understandable from a pure time-management perspective. Straw left on the field delays the next operation, attracts pests, and is genuinely difficult to manage without equipment. For generations, burning was the fastest way to clear the field. But the environmental cost has become untenable, and the regulatory environment has shifted sharply against it.<\/p>\n

South Korea’s government has progressively tightened restrictions on field burning since the mid-2010s, driven by the country’s chronic fine dust (\ucd08\ubbf8\uc138\uba3c\uc9c0, PM2.5) pollution problem. Agricultural residue burning is estimated to contribute between 5 and 12 percent of total autumn particulate emissions across the central and southern regions during peak harvest weeks. The Ministry of Environment has identified this as a priority reduction target, and the enforcement infrastructure \u2014 including drone monitoring, satellite detection, and on-ground inspections by regional environmental agencies \u2014 has expanded considerably in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

What has changed the economic calculation is not just the threat of fines. It is the parallel development of financial support mechanisms \u2014 subsidies, direct payments, and biomass energy incentive programmes \u2014 that make mechanised rice straw collection genuinely profitable for farms of nearly any scale. A round baler, once an equipment choice available only to large contractors, is now accessible to mid-scale Korean farms through equipment purchase subsidies, cooperative sharing arrangements, and competitive pricing from manufacturers offering direct export. This guide explains the regulatory and financial landscape, the mechanical requirements, and how to use a round baler effectively in the Korean rice straw context.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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2. Why Field Burning Is Now Prohibited \u2014 The Regulatory Shift<\/h2>\n

The regulatory framework prohibiting agricultural field burning in South Korea is anchored in the Clean Air Conservation Act (\ub300\uae30\ud658\uacbd\ubcf4\uc804\ubc95), which classifies open burning of crop residues as a controlled emission source. Under Article 86 and associated enforcement ordinances, farmers who burn rice straw, corn stalks, or other agricultural by-products in designated areas face fines of up to KRW 1,000,000 per incident. Some provincial governments have adopted stricter local ordinances \u2014 Chungcheongnam-do and Gyeonggi-do have introduced notification requirements that place the burden of proof on the farmer to demonstrate that burning did not occur.<\/p>\n

Beyond the direct fine, field burning violations are increasingly cross-referenced against agricultural direct payment eligibility. Farmers participating in the Basic Agricultural Income Support Scheme (\uae30\ubcf8\ud615 \uacf5\uc775\uc9c1\ubd88\uc81c) must certify compliance with environmental obligations, including the prohibition on field burning. A documented violation during the payment cycle can result in partial or full suspension of direct payment entitlements for that year \u2014 a consequence that often exceeds the direct fine in financial terms for farms receiving meaningful direct payment allocations.<\/p>\n

The Rural Development Administration (\ub18d\ucd0c\uc9c4\ud765\uccad) has published technical guidance on alternatives to field burning, with mechanised baling consistently listed as the primary recommended method for rice straw removal. This institutional backing matters practically: regional agricultural extension officers (\ub18d\uc5c5\uae30\uc220\uc13c\ud130) now actively advise farmers on round baler access options, and some centres coordinate shared-use programmes for equipment that individual farmers cannot justify purchasing independently. Understanding the regulatory obligation is the starting point; understanding the support system that makes compliance financially practical is what turns regulation into an operational opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Farm<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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3. Biomass Subsidy Programs: How Korean Farmers Get Paid to Bale Straw<\/h2>\n

South Korea operates several overlapping financial support mechanisms that together make rice straw baling not merely a regulatory obligation but a genuine income opportunity. The most significant for most farmers is the Direct Payment Programme for Preserved Field Fodder (\ub4e4\ub158\uacbd\uc601\uccb4 \uc9c1\ubd88\uae08), administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (\ub18d\ub9bc\ucd95\uc0b0\uc2dd\ud488\ubd80). Under this programme, farmers and contractors who deliver certified rice straw bales to registered livestock operations or feed processing centres receive per-bale payments from the government. The exact payment rate varies by year and region, but has consistently represented a meaningful contribution to the economics of straw collection.<\/p>\n

The Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) programme, managed by the Korea Energy Agency under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), creates a parallel demand stream for rice straw as a biomass energy feedstock. Power generation facilities using solid agricultural biomass can earn REC credits, and straw bales meeting the required calorific value, moisture, and contamination specifications qualify as eligible feedstock. Some regional biomass energy facilities in the Chungnam and Jeonbuk regions actively contract with straw baling contractors for guaranteed seasonal supply, creating forward-agreement opportunities that improve the financial planning of equipment investments. A round baler producing at 40\u2013100 bales per hour can generate substantial seasonal throughput for biomass energy contracts within a regional service radius.<\/p>\n

Agricultural machinery purchase subsidies administered through the rural cooperative system (\ub18d\ud611) and the Ministry of Agriculture’s agricultural mechanisation support programme provide direct financial assistance for equipment purchase. Eligible machinery \u2014 which includes round baler models that have passed domestic certification requirements \u2014 qualifies for subsidy coverage of 20\u201350% of purchase cost depending on farm scale, regional priority status, and available annual programme funding. Farmers in designated agricultural promotion zones may receive additional preferential rates. The practical effect is that the net acquisition cost of a round baler machine can be substantially lower than the catalogue price suggests, improving the payback calculation for straw collection operations.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Programme<\/th>\nAdministering Body<\/th>\nBenefit Type<\/th>\nKey Condition<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Direct Payment \u2014 Preserved Fodder<\/td>\nMAFRA (\ub18d\ub9bc\ucd95\uc0b0\uc2dd\ud488\ubd80)<\/td>\nPer-bale payment<\/td>\nDelivery to registered livestock operator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biomass REC Programme<\/td>\nKorea Energy Agency (KEA)<\/td>\nREC credit revenue via biomass plant<\/td>\nMeets biomass feedstock quality spec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Agricultural Machinery Subsidy<\/td>\nMAFRA \/ \ub18d\ud611<\/td>\n20\u201350% purchase cost subsidy<\/td>\nCertified machinery, farm eligibility check<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Basic Agricultural Income Support<\/td>\nMAFRA<\/td>\nAnnual direct payment retention<\/td>\nEnvironmental compliance including no-burn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carbon Credit (Korean ETS)<\/td>\nMinistry of Environment<\/td>\nEmission reduction unit revenue<\/td>\nVerified emissions reduction documentation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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4. Round Baler Application: How the Machine Fits into the Rice Straw Workflow<\/h2>\n

Understanding the round baler’s role in the post-harvest workflow is essential before making any equipment decisions. The complete rice straw handling sequence \u2014 from combine discharge to bale delivery \u2014 typically involves four stages: field drying, windrow formation, baling, and transportation. The round baler is active in the third stage, but its efficiency is heavily influenced by the quality of the first two.<\/p>\n

After the combine harvester passes through the field, rice straw is discharged from the combine’s spreader in a wide, low-density layer across the field surface. This material is too loosely distributed to feed directly into a round baler at effective density. A waiting period of 3\u20135 days under typical Korean autumn weather conditions allows the straw’s surface moisture to drop from around 50\u201360% at discharge to the 14\u201318% target range for quality baling. An indicator rake or tedder pass during this drying window accelerates moisture loss by turning the material and improving airflow. Once moisture is in the target range, a side-delivery rake or tedder gathers the straw into windrows of appropriate width and density for the round baler machine’s pickup system.<\/p>\n

The round baler then operates along each windrow at 5\u201325 km\/h depending on windrow density and terrain. For the 9YG-2.24D series, the 2240 mm wide camless pickup collects the windrow cleanly without requiring a tight speed match \u2014 the axial-flow feeding mechanism accommodates variations in windrow uniformity that would cause plugging on conventional cam-track pickup systems. This is particularly relevant in Korean paddy fields where windrow density can vary sharply between the headland areas and the centre of the field due to the combine’s discharge pattern over the headland guard rows. Each bale cycle takes 3\u20138 minutes to complete, after which the bale is ejected onto the field for later collection by a front loader or round bale handler. Operating at 40\u2013100 bales per hour, a single round baler working an 8-hour day can process the entire straw output from 15\u201340 hectares of paddy depending on straw yield and field conditions \u2014 well within the capacity range of most regional rice straw collection contracts.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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5. Manufacturing Structure: Inside a Round Baler Built for Rice Straw<\/h2>\n

The mechanical architecture of a round baler designed for rice straw collection is meaningfully different from one optimised primarily for hay or alfalfa baling. Rice straw’s high silica content, brittleness, and tendency to form interlocked mats places specific demands on the pickup system, the compression chamber mechanics, and the drive transmission components that a buyer must understand before selecting a machine.<\/p>\n

Camless Pickup Assembly<\/h3>\n

The camless (guard-ring-free) pickup mechanism used throughout the 9YG series represents the most significant structural departure from conventional baler design for rice straw applications. In a conventional cam-track pickup, the tine reel rotates within a set of profiled cam tracks that control each tine’s projection and retraction angle. Rice straw \u2014 particularly when slightly damp or when containing silica deposits from paddy mud \u2014 accumulates on these cam tracks and guard rings within 10\u201320 minutes of operation, progressively narrowing the effective pickup opening until a full block occurs. Clearing a cam-track pickup block in rice straw typically takes 15\u201325 minutes and requires partial disassembly of the pickup unit. In a 40\u2013100 bale\/hour operation, even two plug events per day represent a material loss of throughput and potentially a missed delivery commitment. The camless design eliminates the obstruction surface entirely \u2014 tines pass through a simplified axial geometry with no fixed guards, and rice straw passes through with consistent flow even in damp post-harvest conditions.<\/p>\n

Roller Compression Chamber<\/h3>\n

The compression chamber in the 9YG series uses a roller-based forming system rather than the belt-based chambers common in some European designs. For rice straw specifically, roller systems have the advantage of applying concentrated grip forces at multiple contact points around the bale circumference, which generates higher density at comparable power inputs compared to belt systems when handling light, low-density crop material. The 9YG-2.24D uses 18 compression rollers of \u03c6222 mm diameter arranged within a \u03c61200 mm chamber diameter. This geometry produces bales of \u03c61300 \u00d7 1400 mm at densities of 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 under sensor-controlled pressure. The sensor system monitors chamber pressure continuously and triggers the net-wrap cycle when the preset target is reached \u2014 removing the operator’s need to judge bale density by feel or timing, which is the primary source of density variability in manually operated systems.<\/p>\n

Net Wrap System and Binding<\/h3>\n

All models in the 9YG series use automatic net wrap as the standard binding method. The net wrap is fed from a roll stored in the machine’s upper frame section, introduced into the forming chamber during the final rotation of the bale cycle, and wrapped evenly across the bale surface before the rear gate opens and the bale is ejected. For rice straw bales delivered to Korean biomass energy facilities, net wrap is the preferred binding method over twine because it maintains bale structural integrity during open-air storage \u2014 critical for biomass contracts where material may be stored for 4\u201312 weeks before processing. Net roll specifications for the 9YG-2.24D series \u2014 2000 m \u00d7 1.4 m \u2014 align with the standard Korean net wrap market supply.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\"Round<\/div>\n

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6. Material System: Steel Grade, Chain Selection, and Long-Season Durability<\/h2>\n

Rice straw baling is operationally intensive \u2014 the autumn harvest window in Korea runs for 4\u20136 weeks, during which a contractor’s round baler may run 10\u201312 hours per day, 6\u20137 days per week. The cumulative operating hours during this period are equivalent to 2\u20133 full seasons on a lighter-duty machine. This means the material specification of structural and drivetrain components is not a minor consideration; it determines whether a machine finishes the season operational or requires workshop intervention that terminates the season early.<\/p>\n

The 9YG-2.24D Classic model uses dual-side 20A heavy-duty roller chain throughout the rear chamber drive \u2014 a step up from the 16A chains used on lighter-duty models and from the standard single-side drive used on most comparable machines in this class. The practical significance of this is chain elongation resistance. As chains wear through a high-cycle operation, they elongate fractionally at each link. Accumulated elongation changes the chain-sprocket mesh geometry, introduces micro-impacts at each engagement, and eventually produces audible slack noise that precedes drive component damage. 20A chains tolerate higher radial loads and show slower elongation under the load cycles generated by continuous high-density compression of rice straw \u2014 keeping the drive system within specification for the full harvest season without mid-season tensioning adjustments.<\/p>\n

The structural frame on the 9YG-2.24D series is manufactured through a production process combining CNC laser-cut structural steel sections with automated welding lines and electrostatic powder coating. The electrostatic spray finish creates a chemically bonded surface layer that resists the caustic pH environment of paddy mud \u2014 which tends to accelerate corrosion on painted surfaces that are merely brush or spray applied. For machines operating regularly through paddy field conditions, this coating system meaningfully extends the service-free frame life compared to conventional painted alternatives. Hitch and drawbar components use the machine’s dual cross-joint PTO shaft with a proprietary-design torque limiter \u2014 the limiter engages before component failure when the machine encounters an overload event, preventing the costly drivetrain damage that is the most common cause of mid-season round baler downtime in Korean field conditions.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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7. Round Baler Gearbox Design and International Regulatory Compliance<\/h2>\n

The round baler gearbox is the mechanical node that converts tractor PTO rotation into the multiple internal drive circuits of the baler \u2014 the roller drive, pickup drive, net-wrap mechanism, and hydraulic pump. In a rice straw application running at sustained high intensity, gearbox integrity is a primary determinant of machine availability through the harvest window. Two gearbox configurations are relevant across the 9YG product range.<\/p>\n

The standard single gearbox configuration used in the 9YG-2.24D, 9YG-1.25, 9YG-1.25A, and 9YG-1.0 models transmits PTO power through a conventional bevel gear set with an output shaft speed of 720 r\/min. This design is proven, mechanically simple, and easy to service in field conditions \u2014 the gearbox housing is accessible without major disassembly, and the gear oil (SAE 90 GL-4 or equivalent Korean-market product) can be changed at the field site during a 30-minute maintenance stop. The single-gearbox configuration has a fixed geometry relative to the tractor drawbar, which limits the lateral swing angle available for headland turns.<\/p>\n

The dual gearbox configuration introduced in the 9YG-2.24D Transcend represents a significant engineering advance for fragmented field conditions. The two gearboxes operate on parallel input shafts, each capable of independent rotation of up to 90\u00b0 left or right. This means that as the tractor makes a turn at the headland, the PTO shaft’s angular deflection is shared across two joints rather than concentrated at one \u2014 substantially reducing the bending stress on the shaft at extreme turn angles and eliminating the PTO shaft binding that causes drive cuts and potential universal joint failure in conventional designs when working on very short headlands. Korean paddy parcels, particularly in hilly Gyeonggi and Chungbuk terrain, frequently have headland widths under 5 metres \u2014 precisely the conditions where the dual gearbox configuration provides a measurable operational advantage.<\/p>\n

Regulatory Compliance by Region<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Region<\/th>\nKey Regulation<\/th>\nMachinery Requirement<\/th>\nGearbox \/ Drive Relevance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Korea Selatan<\/td>\nAgricultural Mechanisation Promotion Act (\ub18d\uc5c5\uae30\uacc4\ud654\ucd09\uc9c4\ubc95); Safety Standards for Agricultural Machinery (\ub18d\uc5c5\uae30\uacc4 \uc548\uc804\uae30\uc900)<\/td>\nDomestic safety certification for subsidised equipment; PTO shaft guarding required<\/td>\nPTO guard compliance mandatory; gearbox inspection interval documentation required for subsidised machinery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
European Union<\/td>\nMachinery Directive 2006\/42\/EC; transitioning to EU Machinery Regulation 2023\/1230<\/td>\nCE marking mandatory; Declaration of Conformity required<\/td>\nGearbox must meet EN ISO 11684 safety sign requirements; PTO coupler EN 9:2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Japan<\/td>\nAgricultural Machinery Safety Standards (\u8fb2\u696d\u6a5f\u68b0\u5b89\u5168\u57fa\u6e96); JAS<\/td>\nSafety inspection certification; JAS conformity mark<\/td>\nPTO shaft cover integrity; gearbox oil type documented<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United States<\/td>\nASABE S331.4 (PTO safety); OSHA 29 CFR 1928.57<\/td>\nPTO guard, master shield; operator manual requirement<\/td>\nGearbox rated torque must exceed peak PTO output of compatible tractors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ASEAN (Vietnam, Thailand)<\/td>\nNational agricultural machinery safety standards; burning restriction ordinances<\/td>\nCountry-specific import certification; varies by market<\/td>\nTropical climate oil specification for gearbox (SAE 90 or higher viscosity index recommended)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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8. Round Baler Models: Matched to Korean Rice Straw Biomass Collection<\/h2>\n

The following models address the range of operational scenarios encountered in Korean rice straw baling for feed and biomass use \u2014 from smallholder paddy farms accessing cooperative subsidy programmes to large-scale contractors supplying regional biomass energy facilities under seasonal forward contracts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\n\"9YG-2.24D
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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Pengikat Bulat 9YG-2.24D (S9000)<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2240 mm | Bale: \u03c61300\u00d71400 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: 55\u2013100 kW | Output: 40\u2013100 bales\/h | Dual gearbox, sensor density control<\/p>\n

High-throughput flagship model with dual-gearbox architecture. Sensor-controlled density ensures every bale meets subsidy eligibility and biomass energy feedstock specifications without operator input variation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-2.24D
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-2.24D Round Baler (Transcend)<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2240 mm | Bale: \u03c61300\u00d71400 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: 55\u2013100 kW | Dual gearbox \u00b190\u00b0 lateral rotation<\/p>\n

Designed for small, fragmented Korean paddy parcels. Independent \u00b190\u00b0 dual gearbox eliminates PTO shaft binding on tight headlands. Reduces non-productive turning time by an estimated 15\u201325% versus single-gearbox models in typical Korean paddy conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-2.24D
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-2.24D Round Baler (Classic)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2240 mm | Bale: \u03c61300\u00d71400 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: 55\u2013100 kW | 20A heavy chain, dual-side sprocket drive<\/p>\n

Premium drivetrain specification with dual-side 20A heavy chains and a new safety torque limiter drive shaft. Built for sustained high-intensity operation across the Korean autumn harvest season. Dual-side chain drive in the rear chamber delivers stable, consistent compression pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-1.0
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-1.0 Round Baler<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 1900 mm | Bale: \u03a61100\u00d71000 mm | Density: 115\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: 48\u201380 kW | Machine mass: 2640 kg<\/p>\n

Compact small round baler for smaller tractors. Bale weight 100\u2013200 kg suits local cooperative delivery logistics. Axial-flow camless pickup handles damp autumn straw without plugging. Ideal for smallholder rice farms accessing the direct payment fodder programme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-1.0C
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-1.0C Round Baler (Hammer Claw)<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2400 mm (hammer claw) | Bale: \u03a61000\u00d71250 mm | Density: 115\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: \u226569.8 kW | 20 hammer claws | Dual-side 16A chains<\/p>\n

Hammer claw pickup handles standing or lodged rice crop without pre-raking \u2014 eliminating one full field pass and reducing total operation time per hectare. Particularly suited to lodged crop conditions common in Korean high-yield paddy regions after late-season rainfall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-1.25
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-1.25 Round Baler (Double)<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2240 mm | Bale: 1300\u00d71250 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: \u226575 kW | Interchangeable pickup types<\/p>\n

Switchable spring-tine and hammer-claw pickup allows the same machine to handle both raked windrow straw and standing crop residues. Useful for farms running mixed rice and corn operations across the same autumn harvest window.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"Baler
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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Baler Bulat 9YG-1.25A<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2150 mm | Bale: \u03c61300\u00d71250 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: \u226575 kW | PTO: 540\u20131000 r\/min range<\/p>\n

Broadest PTO speed compatibility in the range (540\u20131000 rpm) accommodates older Korean tractor fleet models without PTO speed conversion. Mid-size round hay baler for operations running a combination of local cooperative livestock feed and biomass energy delivery contracts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\n\"9YG-2.24D
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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9YG-2.24D Round Baler (Standard)<\/h3>\n

Pickup: 2240 mm | Bale: \u03c61300\u00d71400 mm | Density: 100\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 | Power: 55\u2013100 kW | Machine mass: 3922 kg<\/p>\n

Entry point to the 2.24D platform. Axial-flow camless pickup, 18-roller chamber, sensor density control. Core-forming efficiency approximately double conventional designs. Suited to contractors entering biomass collection with established regional supply relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\"9YG-2.24D<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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9. Building the Economic Case: From Burning to Profitable Baling<\/h2>\n

For a Korean rice farmer considering the switch from burning to mechanised baling, the financial calculation involves both cost reduction \u2014 avoiding fines, retaining direct payment eligibility \u2014 and income generation through bale sales and subsidy receipts. The net economic position depends heavily on whether the farmer owns equipment, uses contract baling services, or participates in a cooperative equipment sharing arrangement, and on the volume and type of buyer available for the bales.<\/p>\n

A farm operating 10 hectares of rice paddy in Chungnam province, producing approximately 5 tonnes of dry rice straw per hectare (50 tonnes total), would generate roughly 250\u2013350 bales of \u03c61300\u00d71400 mm format at 130\u2013150 kg per bale using a 9YG-2.24D class machine. If those bales qualify for the direct payment programme at the current rate and are sold to a regional livestock cooperative at market rate, the combined income from subsidy plus bale sale can exceed the cost of contract baling by a meaningful margin. Farms that pool equipment through an agricultural cooperative and share operating costs across 30\u201350 hectares can further improve the economics, and the addition of a biomass energy supply contract \u2014 where a fixed-price seasonal agreement provides price certainty \u2014 removes the market price volatility that makes spot bale sales less predictable.<\/p>\n

Equipment purchase subsidies of 20\u201350% reduce the capital investment hurdle for farms that wish to own a small round baler or a mid-range round baler machine rather than relying on contract services. At 50% subsidy, the net capital cost of a 9YG-1.0 or 9YG-1.25A class machine falls to a level that can be recovered through baling services to neighbouring farms within 2\u20134 harvest seasons in most Korean growing regions \u2014 a payback period that compares favourably with other farm capital investments. Regional agricultural extension centres (\ub18d\uc5c5\uae30\uc220\uc13c\ud130) can provide area-specific financial modelling based on local subsidy rates, bale market conditions, and typical straw yields, and are a valuable first point of contact for farmers considering the transition.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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10. Round Baler Parts: Planning Maintenance for the Korean Harvest Season<\/h2>\n

The concentrated intensity of the Korean rice straw harvest season \u2014 4\u20136 weeks of near-continuous operation \u2014 means that round baler parts availability is a practical competitive issue, not merely an after-thought. A machine that goes offline during peak harvest because a drive chain, pickup tine set, or net wrap drive component is unavailable can lose a week of billable operation while waiting for parts on order. Planning ahead is the most effective maintenance strategy for Korean contractors.<\/p>\n

The highest-turnover round baler parts in a rice straw operation are pickup tines, which experience abrasive wear from silica-coated straw material and soil contact; drive chains (16A and 20A), which elongate through sustained load cycling; and net wrap rolls, which are consumables consumed at approximately one roll per 200\u2013250 bales. The 9YG series uses 16A and 20A chain standards that are stocked by Korean industrial hardware distributors nationwide without special ordering, which is a meaningful advantage over machines using proprietary or European-market chain formats. Pickup tines on the spring-tine models are standard agricultural specifications available through Korean agricultural machinery dealers.<\/p>\n

A pre-season inspection protocol for the round baler should cover: chain tension and wear measurement on all drive circuits; roller surface inspection for cracking or deep scoring; net wrap guide roller and brake mechanism function; hydraulic cylinder seal integrity on the rear gate; and gearbox oil level and condition. This inspection, completed 2\u20133 weeks before the harvest window, allows time to order any needed round baler parts without disruption to the operating season. Many Korean agricultural machinery dealers offer pre-season inspection services for round balers at the start of the autumn period \u2014 a service worth using for machines approaching their second or third season of operation.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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11. Compatible Systems: PTO Shafts and Drive Chain for Your Round Baler<\/h2>\n

Reliable biomass baling operations depend on the complete drivetrain \u2014 not just the baler itself. Our round baler range is designed for full compatibility with matched PTO shaft and agricultural chain components, delivering a one-stop supply solution that simplifies equipment procurement and ensures system-level performance consistency across the entire power transmission chain.<\/p>\n

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Agricultural PTO Shaft \u2014 Round Baler Compatible<\/h3>\n

A correctly specified PTO shaft is the first and most critical link in the round baler’s power transmission system. Under-rated or mismatched shafts are the leading cause of coupling failure during peak-load rice straw baling \u2014 particularly at headland turns where angular deflection adds bending stress to the already high torque transmission load. Our range of Agricultural PTO Shaft for Round Balers<\/a> is engineered to match the torque ratings and spline specifications of the complete 9YG series, including the dual-gearbox Transcend configuration. Cross-joint angles, safety clutch ratings, and shaft length telescoping range are all verified for compatibility with the most common Korean tractor PTO outputs from brands including LS Mtron, TYM, Kukje, and Branson. The torque limiter integrated into the safety clutch section protects both the tractor PTO and the baler gearbox from overload events \u2014 the most common cause of mid-season drivetrain failure in high-intensity rice straw operations.<\/p>\n

\"Agricultural<\/div>\n
\"PTO<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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Agricultural Drive Chain \u2014 16A & 20A Heavy Duty<\/h3>\n

Agricultural roller chain is the mechanical backbone of the round baler’s internal drive system \u2014 transmitting rotation from the gearbox output to the compression rollers, pickup reel, and net-wrap mechanism. For rice straw baling at commercial intensity, chain specification is not a cost-saving variable: an under-rated chain that elongates or fails mid-season creates machine downtime at exactly the time when throughput matters most. Our compatible agricultural drive chain selection covers both 16A standard (as used in the 9YG-1.0 and 9YG-1.0C front and rear chambers) and 20A heavy-duty specification (as used in the 9YG-2.24D Classic dual-side rear chamber drive). Both specifications use standard Korean-market sprocket profiles and are replaceable without custom tooling or workshop facilities, keeping field maintenance practical. Chain tensioner adjustment, a routine maintenance item at 50-hour intervals, is accessible without disassembly in all 9YG series models. One-stop supply of baler plus chain ensures specification compatibility across the full drive system \u2014 eliminating the risk of installing a domestically sourced chain that differs in pitch tolerance or surface hardness from the manufacturer’s design specification.<\/p>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
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\nQ1. How can a Korean paddy farm access a government biomass subsidy programme for collecting rice straw with a round baler instead of burning it?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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The primary entry point is the Direct Payment Programme for Preserved Field Fodder (\ub4e4\ub158\uacbd\uc601\uccb4 \uc9c1\ubd88\uae08), administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Farmers register through their local \ub18d\ud611 branch or the Ministry’s online portal before the harvest season, declare their rice paddy area, and commit to delivering certified bales to a registered livestock operator or feed processing centre. Delivery records and bale quality documentation (including density and moisture readings at acceptance) are submitted post-season for payment processing. Regional agricultural extension offices (\ub18d\uc5c5\uae30\uc220\uc13c\ud130) can guide you through the registration steps specific to your province.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ2. Which round baler model is best suited for a small Korean rice farm with a 40 to 60 hp tractor looking to access field fodder direct payment eligibility?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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The 9YG-1.0 small round baler is designed specifically for the 48\u201380 kW (65\u2013108 HP) tractor range and produces \u03a61100\u00d71000 mm bales at 115\u2013200 kg\/m\u00b3 density \u2014 which qualifies under the direct payment programme’s minimum density threshold. Its machine weight of 2640 kg keeps ground pressure manageable on wet paddy margins, and the camless pickup handles damp autumn straw without the plugging problems that affect conventional cam-track machines. For farms under 5 hectares, the bale output rate of 40\u2013100 bales\/hour is more than adequate to clear the full field within a workable daily schedule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ3. What are the legal consequences for a Korean farmer who continues burning rice straw fields after the Clean Air Conservation Act prohibition took effect?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Direct fines under the Clean Air Conservation Act (\ub300\uae30\ud658\uacbd\ubcf4\uc804\ubc95) reach up to KRW 1,000,000 per incident, and some provincial ordinances carry additional penalties. Beyond the direct fine, burning violations can result in partial or full suspension of Basic Agricultural Income Support direct payments (\uae30\ubcf8\ud615 \uacf5\uc775\uc9c1\ubd88\uc81c) for the certification year \u2014 which frequently exceeds the direct fine in total financial impact. Monitoring has expanded to include drone patrols, satellite image analysis, and neighbourhood reporting channels, so the probability of detection has increased significantly since 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ4. How does the round baler gearbox design on the 9YG Transcend model help Korean contractors work on small fragmented paddy fields with tight headland turns?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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The 9YG-2.24D Transcend uses a dual gearbox architecture where each gearbox can rotate independently up to 90\u00b0 in the horizontal plane \u2014 left and right. This allows the tractor to make sharp headland turns without the PTO shaft reaching its angular deflection limit and requiring the operator to cut power and reposition. The result is that PTO power remains continuously engaged through the headland turn, the baler continues operating at consistent speed, and the total field cycle time per hectare reduces. For Korean paddy parcels with headland widths under 5 metres, this operational advantage translates directly into higher daily throughput and less driver fatigue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ5. Where can a Korean agricultural cooperative get a supplier quote for a round baler suitable for a regional rice straw biomass energy collection programme?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Contact the farm-balers.com inquiry team directly through the contact section<\/a> with the following details: number of tractors and HP ratings in the cooperative fleet, total hectares of rice paddy to be serviced per season, target bale density specification from the biomass facility buyer, and whether the cooperative is applying for the agricultural machinery purchase subsidy. This information allows the team to recommend the most appropriate model or combination of models, calculate approximate throughput against your seasonal volume requirement, and assist with the certification documentation needed for subsidy application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ6. What bale density does a Korean biomass energy facility require from a round baler contractor supplying rice straw as a renewable energy feedstock?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Most regional biomass energy facilities operating under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in South Korea specify a minimum bale density of 100\u2013120 kg\/m\u00b3 for rice straw feedstock, with moisture content below 20% and no significant soil or plastic contamination. Some facilities processing under combined heat and power (CHP) arrangements specify higher density minimums above 130 kg\/m\u00b3 to reduce the volumetric handling cost at their intake facility. Always obtain the specific feedstock specification from the buyer before calibrating your round baler’s density sensor setting \u2014 the target density should be set 10\u201315 kg\/m\u00b3 above the buyer’s minimum to account for natural variation and moisture-related weight reduction during storage and transport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ7. What is the typical payback period for a Korean rice farmer who purchases a small round baler using the agricultural machinery subsidy programme?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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With a 30\u201350% machinery purchase subsidy applied to the net acquisition cost, and income generated from a combination of direct payment programme receipts, bale sales to livestock cooperatives, and baling service fees charged to neighbouring farms, most Korean operators in mid-scale rice regions report recovering their net capital investment within 2\u20134 harvest seasons. The exact payback period depends on local bale market conditions, the farmer’s own paddy area, and whether they offer contract baling services to neighbours. Regional agricultural extension offices can provide area-specific financial modelling to estimate your specific payback timeline before commitment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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\nQ8. How does the camless axial flow pickup system on these round baler models reduce plugging when collecting damp autumn rice straw in Korean paddy fields?\uff0b<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Conventional cam-track pickup systems use stationary guard rings around the tine reel that control tine retraction angles. Damp rice straw \u2014 which is silica-coated and forms interlocked mats \u2014 accumulates on these guards within minutes of operation, progressively blocking the intake until a full plug forces a shutdown. The axial-flow camless design removes these guards entirely: tines move through a simplified rotational geometry with no fixed obstruction surface, so straw passes continuously through the intake without build-up. Users transitioning from cam-track to camless pickup systems typically report plug frequency dropping to less than one-third of their previous experience when handling early-season autumn straw before it has fully dried.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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Editor: PXY<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rice Straw Management \u2014 Field Burning Reduction Guide A practical knowledge guide for Korean farmers, agricultural contractors, and biomass energy operators on replacing open field burning with mechanised round baler collection \u2014 and accessing the subsidy programmes that make it financially viable. 1. The Hidden Cost of Burning Rice Straw \u2014 And a Better Path […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rice-straw-baling-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":686,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679\/revisions\/686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farm-balers.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}