It’s one of the most common questions we hear from customers across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah:

“Do I need a vertical baler or a horizontal baler?”

The honest answer is — it depends on your operation. Both types of balers do the same fundamental job: compress recyclable materials into dense, manageable bales. But they do it differently, at different volumes, with different costs, and for different types of facilities.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the right decision. And if you’re still not sure after reading it, give us a call — we’ve helped hundreds of businesses find the right fit, and we’ll ask you the right questions to get there fast.

What Is a Vertical Baler?

A vertical baler compresses material from top to bottom using a hydraulic ram that presses down into the baling chamber. Operators load material through a large door on the front or top of the machine, the ram compresses it, and when the chamber is full, the operator manually ties the bale with wire before ejecting it.

Vertical balers are the most common type of baler in North America — you’ll find them in the back rooms of grocery stores, big-box retailers, hotels, distribution centers, and small-to- mid-size recycling operations.

Typical applications: Cardboard, paper, plastic film, aluminum cans, PET bottles, HDPE containers, light metals

Common vertical baler brands we carry: PTR, International Baler, Max-Pak, Bramidan

 

What Is a Horizontal Baler?

A horizontal baler compresses material from the side using a ram that moves on a horizontal axis. Material is fed continuously — often by a conveyor — and the machine ties bales automatically and ejects them without stopping production. Horizontal balers are built for

continuous, high-volume operation. You’ll find horizontal balers at MRFs (materials recovery facilities), large recycling processors, paper mills, fulfillment centers, and any operation running multiple shifts with large daily volumes.

Typical applications: OCC (old corrugated cardboard), mixed paper, plastic film, textiles,

aluminum, office paper, non-ferrous metals

Common horizontal baler brands we carry: International Baler, Max-Pak, Maren

5 Questions to Help You Decide

1. How Much Material Are You Processing Daily?

This is the single most important factor. As a general rule:

Under 2 tons per day → vertical baler is almost always the right call

2–8 tons per day → depends on your material and workflow; either type could work

Over 8 tons per day → a horizontal baler will likely outperform a vertical significantly

If you’re running a single retail location, a hotel, or a small recycling drop-off, a vertical baler will handle your volume efficiently. If you’re running a regional distribution hub or a full-scale MRF, a horizontal is built for your throughput.

2. What Materials Are You Baling?

Most materials can be baled in either type of machine, but some materials favor one over the other.

Cardboard (OCC) works well in both. If you’re baling primarily cardboard at low-to-mid volume, a vertical is cost-effective. At high volume, a horizontal will produce denser bales and require less labor.

Plastic film (shrink wrap, poly bags) can be tricky in vertical balers because it’s bulky and light. At higher volumes, horizontal balers handle plastic film much more efficiently. Mixed recyclables are generally better suited to horizontal balers, especially two-ram models, because they can process heterogeneous loads without pre-sorting.

Scrap metal typically requires a specialty vertical baler designed for the extra force required — or a two-ram horizontal for high-volume metal recycling.

3. How Much Floor Space Do You Have?

Vertical balers are the clear winner here. Many models fit in a standard back-of-house storeroom or dock area. The footprint can be as small as 5’ x 5’, and the machine only needs to be accessible from one side.

Horizontal balers are large pieces of equipment. Beyond the machine itself, you need room for infeed conveyors, bale ejection, and bale stacking. Many horizontal installations require 30–60+ feet of floor length and specific ceiling clearances. If space is tight, a vertical baler may be the only practical option regardless of volume.

4. How Much Automation Do You Need?

If you have the labor to manage a manual feeding and tying operation, a vertical baler is very manageable. Most operators can be trained quickly, and the machines are designed to be simple and safe.

If labor is a constraint — or if you’re running a high-throughput operation where stopping to tie bales would create a bottleneck — the automatic tying and continuous operation of a horizontal baler pays for itself quickly in labor savings.

5. What Is Your Budget?

Vertical balers are significantly less expensive than horizontal balers, both to purchase and to maintain.

New vertical balers typically range from a few thousand dollars for compact models up to

$30,000–$50,000 for large, high-capacity models.

New horizontal balers generally start around $50,000 and can exceed $200,000+ for large

automatic systems.

Pre-owned equipment is a strong option in both categories. A well-maintained used vertical baler can deliver years of reliable service at a fraction of the new price. We regularly carry inspected, refurbished used equipment in both categories — and we stand behind what we sell with service and parts support.

What About Two-Ram Balers?

Worth a mention: if you’re processing a wide variety of materials at high volume — including mixed recyclables, plastics, metals, and bulky items — a two-ram baler may be the best fit. Two-ram balers use two hydraulic rams operating in sequence to produce extremely dense, wire-tied bales from virtually any material. They’re common in large MRFs and commodity  focused recycling operations.

New vs. Used: Does It Matter for This Decision?

Not as much as you might think. Both vertical and horizontal balers are available new and pre-owned. Pre-owned equipment, when properly refurbished, performs comparably to new for most operations.

The key is buying used equipment from a dealer who knows the machine, has serviced it, and will support you after the sale — not a blind auction listing from across the country.At Altitude Recycling, every piece of used equipment we sell has been inspected, repaired as needed, and is sold with our service team behind it. We can also install it, train your staff, and set you up on a maintenance program from day one.

Still Not Sure? Here’s How We Help

We’ve placed balers in grocery chains, distribution centers, municipality recycling programs, industrial facilities, hotels, universities, and everything in between. Every operation is different, and we take the time to understand yours before recommending anything.

When you call us, we’ll ask about your material type, daily volume, available floor space, labor setup, and budget — and we’ll give you an honest recommendation, even if that means pointing you toward a pre-owned machine that fits your needs better than a brand-new one.

Call us at 720-545-5348 or email sales@altituderecycling.com to talk through your

options.

Browse new balers → View used/pre-owned inventory → Get pricing on baling wire for your new machine →

Don’t Forget: Wire, Parts & Maintenance

Once you’ve selected your baler, make sure you have the right setup to run it:

Baling Wire: The right gauge and type for your machine and material — we stock and

ship nationwide. Shop baling wire →

Spare Parts: Keep key wear items on hand so a small issue never becomes a shutdown.

Preventative Maintenance: Protect your investment from day one with a scheduled PM

plan. Schedule a service visit →

Altitude Recycling Equipment — Colorado’s Trusted Source for Recycling Balers, Baling

Wire, Parts & Service Serving Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and shipping nationwide

720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com