When I visited Wheaton Labs, I took the opportunity to photograph the bale press. First, at Base Camp, and later in action at The Lab.
Paul opened up the door so I could see the inner workings of the beast.
Here’s a view of the business end of the press doing it’s thang.
The slots in the press line up with where the strings on the bale go, so either you can put string onto loose hay to create a bale, or reach the strings on existing bales to tighten them.
This bale is far too loose to build with, so it’s a good candidate for testing the press.
Jesse inserts the bale into the press…
…and pushes is down into place.
He pulls the loose strings through the slots ready for tightening.
Then starts to tighten the bale by pulling down on the lever.
He manages to get the lever close to horizontal.
There’s plenty of slack to be taken up on those strings now, but Jesse wants the bale tighter still.
Fred comes to the rescue! Vegan lats for the win!!
The lever is below horizontal now.
Jesse tests the bale by sitting on it.
And then by standing on it. It’s much more suitable for building now!