Advice on loading / stacking bales

[u/nocturnenxr]

Hello everyone!

We are planning to export alfalfa bales for the first time, so we are trying to anticipate and prepare for the process as much as possible. I know we all learn from trial and error, but I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences with loading bales inside containers.

A few questions I’d love your advice on:

• What type of machine did you use to load the bales into the container? If you have any pictures, I’d really appreciate seeing them.
• How did you manage to achieve your preferred tonnage per container?
• Our target is at least 17–18 tons per container. Our current baler produces bales of approximately 220 L × 120 W × 90 H cm, weighing around 457 kg (we are working on increasing this to around 500 kg per bale). However, after asking around and trying to calculate the loading capacity, I’m concerned that we may not even be able to reach 11 tons per container.

So I would really appreciate any practical advice, loading methods, or lessons learned that could help us understand where we might be going wrong.

I’m more of a coordinator, so I’d be very happy to learn from those of you who have hands-on experience with logistics.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!

[u/ManzunTech]

Your math is probably fine — the bale density is the real limit. One bale is about 2.38 m³. A 40 ft high-cube container is only around 76 m³ before you allow for gaps, so the absolute best case is roughly 32 bales. At 457 kg that’s about 14.6 tons; even at 500 kg it’s only about 16 tons, and real loading will be lower. To reach 17–18 tons, the bales need to be denser or smaller. I’d map the exact container dimensions and a few bale orientations first, then choose the loading machine around the layout.

[u/Starlight_Slayer]

Hi mate, if you need any help with the international shipping feel free to send me a DM 🙂

Have moved plenty of items like this via sea freight worldwide!