EP-9YK-870 Round Baler — Ultra-Compact Mini Round Baler for 25–50 hp Tractors
The EP-9YK-870 Round Baler (also known as a mini round baler, small farm rope-wrap baler, or 870 compact round baler) is the smallest, lightest, and most affordable machine in the EP baler lineup — round or square. At only 440 kg and measuring a remarkably compact 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 mm, it is designed for the most space-constrained field conditions in agricultural use: narrow paddy strips, terraced plots, orchard rows, vegetable fields, and any small-farm operation where a full-size baler is impractical. Requiring only 25–50 hp at a 540 rpm PTO, the 9YK-870 pairs with the most basic two-wheel-drive utility tractors and compact tractors available globally — machines that cannot operate any other EP baler model. The direct spring-tooth feed into a roll-drum compression chamber (Φ630 mm, 700 mm wide) and rope wrapping bundling keep the machine architecture as simple as possible, minimising maintenance requirements and maximising uptime in remote, low-infrastructure environments. The finished bale — Φ630 mm x 700 mm — is light enough to be carried by one person and handled without any mechanical loader.
🐄 Livestock Feed and Bedding
🌿 Alfalfa and Forage Grass
🔥 Biomass and Rural Fuel
🏗 Compact Tractor Owners
Why Choose the EP-9YK-870 Round Baler?
- Smallest and lightest EP baler: only 440 kg — can be transported on any farm trailer
- Most compact footprint: 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 mm — fits through any gate, navigates any narrow lane
- Lowest power requirement: 25–50 hp, 540 rpm PTO — works with the most basic compact tractors
- 800 mm pickup width — matched to narrow windrows from small mowers and paddy-field combines
- Direct spring-tooth feed — fewest moving parts of any EP baler, maximum field reliability
- Φ630 mm x 700 mm rope-wrapped bale — light enough for one-person manual handling
- Field operating speed 2–5 km/h — safe, controllable pace for tight field conditions
- 540 rpm PTO — the most universally available PTO speed on compact and utility tractors
- Lowest purchase price and consumable cost in the EP range
Technical Parameters — Model 9YK-870 Round Baler
| Ні. | Параметр | Одиниця | Специфікація |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Назва моделі | — | 9YK-870 Round Baler |
| 2 | Hitching Method | — | Причіпний |
| 3 | Picking Width | мм | 800 |
| 4 | Picker Structure | — | Тип пружинного зуба |
| 5 | Feeder Structure | — | Directly Feed by Spring Tooth |
| 6 | Operating Speed | км/год | 2–5 |
| 7 | Type of Compressing Bale Chamber | — | Roll Drum Type |
| 8 | Width of Compressing Room | мм | 700 |
| 9 | Diameter of Compression | мм | Φ630 |
| 10 | Bundling Type | — | Rope Wrapping |
| 11 | Bale Size (Diameter x Width) | мм | Φ630 x 700 |
| 12 | Overall Dimension (L x W x H) | мм | 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 |
| 13 | Tire Size | — | 18 x 6.50-8-4PR |
| 14 | Machine Weight | кг | 440 |
| 15 | Відповідний діапазон потужності | hp | 25–50 |
| 16 | Match the PTO Speed | rpm | 540 |
How the EP-9YK-870 Round Baler Works
The EP-9YK-870 uses the simplest possible mechanical architecture of any baler in the EP range. The direct spring-tooth feed design means the pickup tines that lift crop from the windrow simultaneously push it into the compression chamber — the same tines perform both functions in one continuous motion. There is no screw feeder, no fork mechanism, no auger, and no intermediate crop-transfer stage. This single-stage pickup-to-compression design minimises part count, weight, maintenance requirements, and failure risk to the lowest level achievable in a roll-drum round baler.
- 800 mm Spring-Tooth Pickup with Direct Feed: The 800 mm wide spring-tooth reel operates at a controlled 2–5 km/h field speed, lifting narrow windrows cleanly from the ground and delivering crop directly into the roll-drum compression chamber in one motion. The low operating speed and narrow pickup width are precisely matched to the small windrow widths produced by compact mowers, mini combine harvesters, and hand-raked windrows common in smallholder operations.
- Roll-Drum Compression: Inside the 700 mm wide roll-drum chamber, multiple pressing rollers rotate to compact the incoming crop into a growing bale cylinder. As the bale grows toward the preset Φ630 mm diameter, roller pressure increases progressively, producing a uniformly dense round bale with a consistent cross-section that holds its shape during ejection, handling, and short-distance transport.
- Rope Wrapping: When the bale reaches the Φ630 mm preset diameter, the rope-wrapping mechanism engages, binding the bale with rope in a cross-pattern that secures the bale cylinder for ejection and manual handling. Rope wrapping uses the most widely available and lowest-cost consumable of any baler bundling system, requiring no specialised net-wrap roll, twine box, or electronic wrapping control.
- Bale Ejection: The completed Φ630 x 700 mm round bale rolls out of the rear of the machine. At approximately 30–60 kg depending on crop type and moisture content, each bale can be rolled, carried, or stacked by hand without mechanical assistance.
⚙ The 9YK-870 removes every non-essential component. No screw feeder. No fork mechanism. No net wrap. No hydraulic tailgate. The result is the most reliable, lowest-maintenance baler in the EP range — and the most accessible for first-time baler owners.
🔩 PTO Shaft — Matching a 540 rpm Driveline to the 9YK-870
The EP-9YK-870 is specified exclusively for 540 rpm PTO (6-spline stub) — the standard PTO speed on virtually all 25–50 hp compact and utility tractors globally. This means PTO shaft sourcing is straightforward for most buyers. Because the machine weight is only 440 kg and the power demand is 25–50 hp, the driveline torque loads are among the lowest of any EP baler. However, correct shaft selection remains essential for operator safety and machine protection. Key requirements:
- 540 rpm, 6-spline input: This is the only PTO configuration the 9YK-870 accepts. Confirm your tractor has a 540 rpm 6-spline PTO stub before ordering. Most 25–50 hp tractors do — but confirm, as some compact tractors in this power range have non-standard or multi-speed stubs.
- Shaft length: At 1,300 mm machine length, the hitch-to-input distance is very short — the shortest of any EP baler. This is the critical dimension to measure carefully. A shaft that is even slightly too long will bottom out before the tractor can turn. Measure minimum hitch distance at full lock, not just straight ahead.
- Torque limiter: Even on a 25 hp tractor, a shear-bolt or friction torque-limiter clutch is recommended to protect the simple chain driveline from sudden straw-jam shock loads during field operation at low speed.
- CE-rated safety guard: A full plastic shaft guard is mandatory regardless of tractor size. At 540 rpm and low machine weight, the rotating driveline is just as hazardous as on a large high-power machine.
For 540 rpm baler driveline solutions, our preferred supply partner offers CE-certified shafts suitable for compact tractor-baler combinations. Review their Вал відбору потужності range for balers as a dimensional and torque-rating reference when specifying the correct driveline for your EP-9YK-870 setup.
Core Advantages of the EP-9YK-870 Round Baler
440 kg — Lightest Baler in the Entire EP Range
At 440 kg the 9YK-870 weighs less than half the next-lightest EP baler (9YQ-1250 at 1,000 kg). It can be loaded onto a standard farm trailer, transported between fields by a compact utility vehicle, stored in a small shed, and hitched or unhitched by a single operator without any lifting equipment. Soil compaction is negligible even on the most sensitive paddy and market-garden soils.
25–50 hp — Works with Any Compact Tractor
The 25–50 hp power requirement is the lowest of any EP baler by a significant margin. A 25 hp two-wheel-drive compact tractor — the entry-level utility machine for smallholder farms globally — is sufficient to operate the 9YK-870 at full rated capacity. This makes round baling accessible to farms that have never been able to afford or power a baler of any type.
Direct Feed — Absolute Minimum Complexity
No separate feeding mechanism means no screw to wear, no fork to adjust, no intermediate crop-transfer zone to clear when straw wraps or bridges. The 9YK-870 drivetrain has the fewest moving parts of any EP baler, making it the most reliable machine in the range for remote operation and the fastest to diagnose and fix when occasional issues occur.
800 mm Pickup — Narrow Windrow Precision
The 800 mm pickup width is matched to the narrow windrow widths produced by compact walk-behind mowers, mini combine harvesters, and hand-raked rows common in paddy rice, market-garden, and smallholder wheat operations. Picking up a narrow windrow with a wider machine wastes coverage width and increases side-delivery losses; the 9YK-870 matches the windrow precisely.
Rope Wrap — Lowest Consumable Cost of Any EP Baler
Rope wrapping uses the cheapest and most universally available bundling consumable of any baler type — no special net-wrap roll, no twine cassette, and no electronic wrapping control required. For small farms baling for on-farm use, the per-bale consumable saving over net-wrap machines is meaningful over a full harvest season.
Φ630 x 700 mm Bale — Single-Person Manual Handling
A dry wheat or rice straw bale at this size weighs approximately 30–60 kg — light enough to be rolled by one person, carried short distances by two people, or loaded onto a trailer by hand without any mechanical loader or bale spike. This is the only EP baler where bale handling requires zero mechanisation beyond the tractor itself.
Structure Design and Material Engineering
Main Frame: Compact structural steel frame, robotic MIG welded, optimised for the 440 kg weight target while maintaining rigidity under roll-drum compression loads and the torsional stress of the direct spring-tooth pickup at 2–5 km/h operating speed. Shot-blasted and coated with agricultural-grade epoxy primer and polyurethane topcoat for corrosion resistance in humid tropical and paddy-field environments.
800 mm Spring-Tooth Pickup Reel: Hardened 65Mn spring-steel tines across the 800 mm working width. Tine geometry and reel speed are precisely matched to deliver narrow windrow material directly into the compression chamber inlet at the 2–5 km/h operating speed range. Because this is also the feeding mechanism, correct tine geometry and reel speed calibration are factory-set for optimal direct-feed performance without field adjustment.
Roll-Drum Compression Chamber: The 700 mm wide, Φ630 mm fixed-diameter chamber uses a multi-roller arrangement to compact incoming crop into a consistent bale cylinder. Roller surfaces are hardened for wear resistance. The small chamber diameter and narrow width relative to larger EP round balers results in faster bale cycle times — more bales per hour per field pass at the low 2–5 km/h operating speed.
Rope-Wrapping Mechanism: A mechanical rope dispenser and cutting system applies binding rope across the bale width in a preset pattern. The mechanism requires no electrical power, no electronic controller, and no hydraulic circuit — it is driven mechanically from the main PTO driveline. This keeps the machine compatible with the most basic compact tractors that may not have auxiliary hydraulic or electrical outputs.
Wheels and Ground Clearance: 18 x 6.50-8-4PR agricultural tyres provide stable ground tracking at the 2–5 km/h operating speed on both paddy field surfaces and dry arable land. The compact 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 mm machine envelope ensures the machine stays within the tractor wheel track on narrow paddy strips, preventing berm damage on terraced plots.
Typical Application Scenarios
🌾 Paddy Field Rice Straw Recovery
The 9YK-870 is the baler of choice for paddy strip farms where field width is often less than 5 m and the only equipment access is through narrow earthen berms. At 1,300 mm wide and 440 kg, it fits where no other baler can go. The 800 mm pickup matches the narrow windrows laid by hand or by small walk-behind reapers after paddy rice harvest.
🌿 Small-Plot Wheat and Alfalfa Baling
On small family wheat plots and orchard grass or alfalfa strips, the 9YK-870 cleans up windrows quickly at 2–5 km/h without the headland space, turning radius, or tractor power that a larger baler demands. Finished bales are fed directly to on-farm livestock or sold locally at the village market without transport to a commercial bale handling facility.
🐄 Direct Livestock Feeding
The Φ630 x 700 mm bale format is well-suited for direct feeding to small livestock herds — cattle, sheep, and goats on family farms. Each bale represents a manageable daily feed ration for a small herd and can be moved from storage to feeding area by one person without mechanical assistance, keeping operational costs minimal.
🔥 Village-Level Biomass and Fuel Collection
In rural areas where straw and crop residues are collected as household fuel or sold to small biogas installations, the 9YK-870 pairs with 25–30 hp walk-behind tractor conversions and mini four-wheel tractors to bale material directly from the field for transport by hand cart or small flatbed vehicle to the village energy cooperative or household fuel stack.
Selection Guide — Full EP Round Baler Range: Where the 9YK-870 Fits
The 9YK-870 is the entry point of the EP round baler range. Choose it only if your tractor is below 54 hp or your field conditions require a sub-1,500 mm wide machine. Step up to the 9YQ-1250 if you have 54 hp or above and need a larger bale or wider pickup:
| Специфікація | 9YK-870 | 9YQ-1250 | 9YQ-1950 | 9YG-2.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ширина пікапа | 800 mm | 1,250 mm | 1,950 mm | 2,200 mm |
| Розмір тюка | Φ630 x 700 mm | Φ800 x 1,250 mm | Φ1,000 x 1,250 mm | Φ1,220 x 1,400 mm |
| Bundling | Rope | Rope | Net wrap | Net wrap |
| Power Range | 25–50 hp | 54–80 hp | 50–148 hp | 148–201 hp |
| Швидкість ВОМ | 540 rpm only | 540 rpm | 540 / 1,000 rpm | 1,000 rpm |
| Machine Weight | 440 kg | 1,000 kg | 2,385 kg | 3,800 kg |
| Transport Width | 1,300 mm | 2,250 mm | 2,500 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Best Suited For | 25–50 hp tractors, paddy strips, narrow plots | 54–80 hp, small plots, narrow windrows | Mixed fleets, medium fields | Max throughput, 150 hp+ |
The 9YK-870 is the correct choice if your tractor is 25–50 hp, your fields are paddy strips or narrow plots, or you need the absolute lowest entry cost and simplest possible machine. If your tractor is 54 hp or above and your windrows are wider than 800 mm, the 9YQ-1250 will deliver meaningfully higher throughput at comparable simplicity.
EP-9YK-870 vs. Comparable Mini Round Baler Benchmarks — Objective Comparison
| Елемент | EP-9YK-870 | Welmac Mini / Recon Mini Round Baler (Reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Діаметр тюка | Φ630 mm | approx. 500–700 mm |
| Ширина пікапа | 800 mm | approx. 600–900 mm |
| Power Range | 25–50 hp, 540 rpm | approx. 35–65 hp |
| Machine Weight | 440 kg | approx. 500–900 kg |
| Transport Size | 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 mm | approx. 1,500–2,000 mm wide |
| Purchase Price | Significantly lower — factory direct | USD 8,000–18,000+ (dealer price) |
| Spare Parts | Direct export stock, 48 h dispatch | Varies by supplier and region |
| Warranty | 24-month direct manufacturer | Varies by supplier |
| Best Suited For | Smallest paddy strips, 25 hp compact tractors, emerging market first-time buyers | Varies by brand and target market |
Frequently Asked Questions — EP-9YK-870 Round Baler
Q1: Can a 25 hp tractor actually run the 9YK-870?
Yes. 25 hp at the PTO is the rated minimum for this machine and is sufficient for normal operation on light-to-medium crop types (dry wheat straw, dry rice straw, light grass) at the rated 2–5 km/h field speed. At 25 hp, reduce forward speed toward the lower end (2–3 km/h) when the windrow is dense or the crop is slightly damp to avoid overloading the tractor. A 35–50 hp tractor provides comfortable headroom for dense windrows and slightly moist material without needing to reduce speed.
Q2: How heavy is a finished Φ630 x 700 mm bale, and can one person handle it?
A dry wheat or rice straw bale at Φ630 x 700 mm typically weighs 30–60 kg depending on crop density and moisture. At the lower end of this range (dry light straw), one adult can roll, lift, and stack the bale without any mechanical assistance. At the higher end (denser crops), two people can handle the bale comfortably without a loader. This is the only EP baler whose bale output requires zero mechanised handling — an important factor for subsistence farmers and very small operations without any front-loader equipment.
Q3: Why is the operating speed limited to 2–5 km/h?
The 2–5 km/h operating speed reflects the machine’s design purpose: narrow paddy strips, terraced plots, and small fields where precision at low speed is more important than throughput at high speed. At this speed range, the 800 mm direct spring-tooth pickup lifts and feeds narrow windrows cleanly without the turbulence losses that occur at higher speeds on very narrow material streams. Exceeding 5 km/h on dense windrows risks crop delivery outpacing the bale formation rate, causing chamber plugging or loose bale cores.
Q4: Can the 9YK-870 be transported on a standard flatbed farm trailer?
Yes. At 440 kg and 1,300 x 1,300 x 1,350 mm, the 9YK-870 fits easily on any standard 1.5 m or 2 m wide farm flatbed trailer and is within the capacity of most compact tractor three-point linkage systems for short-distance lifting. This makes it straightforward to transport the machine between scattered small plots or to loan between cooperative members — a practical advantage that larger balers cannot match.
Q5: When should I choose the 9YQ-1250 instead of the 9YK-870?
Choose the 9YQ-1250 (over the 9YK-870) when: your tractor is 54 hp or above; your windrows are wider than 800 mm; your fields are large enough that 2–5 km/h operating speed limits your total daily output; or you need a larger Φ800 x 1,250 mm bale for buyers or handling equipment that specifies a minimum bale diameter. The 9YK-870 is the correct choice when tractor power is below 54 hp, the field conditions are the most space-constrained (paddy strips, terraces, narrow lanes), or the lowest possible machine price is the primary selection criterion.
Q6: What warranty and spare-parts support is provided?
The EP-9YK-870 carries a 24-month manufacturer warranty on the main frame and gearbox, and a 12-month warranty on roller assemblies, the rope-wrapping mechanism, and wear parts. Direct factory support — no dealer intermediary. Because the 9YK-870 has the fewest mechanical components of any EP baler, its fast-wear parts list is extremely short: pickup tines, rope-wrap cutter, roller bearings, and the main drive chain. All are stocked for export and dispatched globally within 48 hours of order confirmation.
Get a Factory-Direct Quote for the EP-9YK-870 Round Baler
We supply EP-9YK-870 Round Balers factory-direct to small farms, cooperatives, importers, and agricultural dealers worldwide. Browse our complete range of square balers and round balers — from the 25 hp 9YK-870 up to the 200 hp 9YG-2.2 — and find the right machine for your tractor, field, and crop.