It takes about 60 skirted fleeces to fill a wool bale, depending on the size and age of the sheep. The presser closes the bale with four internal and five external metal bale fasteners, before weighing the bale, if the press does not have an inbuilt scale. Bales should weigh between 110 kg (243 lb) and 204 kg (450 lb), unless the wool is under 18.6 microns, in which case they may be a minimum gross weight of 90 kg (198 lb). Bales that weigh less than 110 kg (243 lb) are known as a butt and those over 204 kg (450 lb) will not be sold at auction without repacking at the vendor 's expense. The maximum wool bale length is 1.25 metres (49.2 inches). Overlong bales may create problems with over wide loads when trucking, in brokers ' stores and in the jamming of dumping equipment. The presser is responsible for completing the wool book and then branding the bale head and face with the owner 's brand, contents description, number and wool classer ID.
how many sheep to make a bale of wool
about 60