How we got these numbers
Enter field yield and bale details to see the step-by-step.
Formulas
- Round bale volume (ft³) = π × (D/2)² × W (inches → feet)
- Square bale volume (ft³) = L × W × H (inches → feet)
- Bale weight (lb) = volume × density (if no known weight)
- Total bales =
- acres × bales/acre (if yield is bales/acre)
- (acres × tons/acre × 2000) ÷ bale weight (if yield is tons/acre)
- Total tons =
- acres × tons/acre (if yield is tons/acre)
- (total bales × bale weight) ÷ 2000 (if yield is bales/acre)
- Loads (if payload given) = ceil( total weight ÷ payload )
Worked example (bales/acre option)
Scenario: 35 acres at 3.5 bales/acre; known bale weight 900 lb; payload 14,000 lb.
- Total bales = 35 × 3.5 = 123 bales.
- Total weight = 123 × 900 = 110,700 lb.
- Total tons = 110,700 ÷ 2,000 = 55.4 tons.
- Loads ≈ 110,700 ÷ 14,000 = 7.91 → 8 loads (rounded up).
Assumptions & notes
- Geometry: Round bales treated as cylinders; square/rectangular bales use finished, tied dimensions.
- Density: Dry grass hay ≈ 10 lb/ft³; alfalfa ≈ 12 lb/ft³; straw ≈ 8 lb/ft³ (moisture and baler tension vary).
- Known weight overrides density/size: Use average scale weight when available.
- Short tons: 1 ton = 2,000 lb.
- Transport: Payload-only loads; verify deck space and legal axle/group limits.
- Field variation: Yield is rarely uniform—use conservative inputs when planning hauling.
Prepared by AgCalculator · Last updated October 27, 2025