It’s one of the first questions anyone asks when they start thinking seriously about recycling equipment: how much does a baler actually cost?
The honest answer is: it depends. A compact vertical baler for a retail backroom costs a fraction of what a fully automated two-ram baler costs for a large-scale recycling center. But that answer isn’t very useful if you’re trying to budget for a machine or compare options — so let’s break it down properly.
This guide covers real price ranges for every major baler type, new versus used, and what rental costs look like if you’re not ready to buy. We’ll also tell you what drives the price differences so you can make sense of why two machines that look similar on a spec sheet can have very different price tags.
Quick Reference — Baler Price Ranges at a Glance
| Baler Type | New Price Range | Used Price Range | Rental (Monthly Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical Baler | $18,000 – $30,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 | $250 – $500 (Used) |
| Horizontal Manual-Tie | $120,000 – $150,000 | $30,000 – $90,000 | Call for pricing |
| Single Ram Auto-Tie | $150,000 – $500,000 | $85,000 – $200,000 | Call for pricing |
| Two-Ram Baler | $240,000 – $850,000+ | $95,000 – $300,000 | Call for pricing |
Prices vary based on manufacturer, model, configuration, condition, and market availability. Call us for current pricing on specific machines: 720-545-5348.
Vertical Baler Cost
New: $18,000 – $30,000 Used: $6,000 – $15,000
Vertical balers are the most affordable entry point into recycling equipment, and the most common machine found in retail stores, distribution centers, hotels, and mid-volume recycling operations. They’re compact, straightforward to operate, and available from a wide range of manufacturers at a wide range of price points.
What drives the price within this range:
- Motor size — a 5 HP motor handles light cardboard volumes; a 15–20 HP motor is built for heavier, more continuous operation
- Cylinder size — larger cylinders generate more compression force, producing denser, more valuable bales
- Bale size — standard 60″x48″x30″ bales are the most common; oversized bale configurations cost more
- Brand and build quality — a PTR, BACE, or International Baler machine is built to a different standard than an entry-level import. The price reflects that, and so does the lifespan
- Single phase vs. three phase power — single phase machines are easier to install in facilities without industrial electrical service, and sometimes command a slight premium
Used vertical balers we currently have available:
- 2018 BACE V63OCC — $8,000 — 10 HP, 6″ cylinder, 60″x48″x30″ bale size, good working order
- 2023 BACE V63HD — $10,500 — 10 HP, 6″ cylinder, single phase power, good working condition
→ Browse All Used Vertical Balers
Horizontal Baler Cost
New: $120,000 – $150,000 Used: $30,000 – $90,000
Horizontal balers represent a significant step up in both throughput and price. They’re built for continuous, high-volume baling — feeding material in one end and producing dense, uniform bales out the other without stopping to manually tie each one (on manual-tie models) or at all (on auto-tie models).
The price jump from vertical to horizontal is real, but so is the productivity difference. A horizontal baler can process in an hour what might take a vertical baler a full day. For operations hitting the ceiling of what a vertical baler can handle, the math often justifies the move quickly.
What drives the price within this range:
- Motor horsepower — horizontal balers range from 20 HP entry models up to 50+ HP industrial configurations
- Platen force — measured in pounds, this determines how dense your bales will be and how efficiently the machine processes material
- Feed opening size — a larger feed opening accommodates more material per cycle and reduces the need to pre-size material before loading
- Manual-tie vs. auto-tie — manual-tie models are less expensive upfront; auto-tie models cost more but significantly reduce labor
- Full penetration vs. standard — full penetration designs (like the Excel EX Series) produce cleaner bale breaks and are generally built to a higher standard than standard horizontal designs
Used horizontal balers we currently have available:
- 2014 IBC Titan 6-EC Horizontal Baler with 48″ Conveyor — 20 HP, 8″ cylinder, 58″x35″ feed opening, 60″x48″x30″ bale size, full penetration. Conveyor included. Call for pricing.
→ Browse All Used Horizontal Balers
Single Ram Auto-Tie Baler Cost
New: $150,000 – $500,000 Used: $85,000 – $200,000
Auto-tie balers eliminate the labor cost of manually wiring each bale — the machine ties automatically, allowing one person to manage a much higher volume than they could with a manual-tie machine. For high-volume operations where manual tying creates a bottleneck, the labor savings from an auto-tie machine can pay for the price premium relatively quickly.
What drives the price within this range:
- Automation level — basic auto-tie vs. full electronic controls with cycle monitoring and remote diagnostics
- Cycle speed — measured in seconds per cycle, faster cycle times mean more bales per hour
- Bale weight capacity — heavier target bale weights require more force and more robust construction
- Brand — International Baler and Max-Pak auto-tie machines are built for continuous, multi-shift operation; the price reflects that durability
→ Browse All Used Auto-Tie Balers
Two-Ram Baler Cost
New: $240,000 – $850,000+ Used: $95,000 – $300,000
Two-ram balers are the heaviest-duty machines in the recycling equipment world, built for processing mixed recyclables, scrap metal, non-ferrous materials, and high-density baling applications that would destroy a standard horizontal baler. The price range is wide because the capability range is wide — from an Excel 2R63 entry two-ram up to an industrial 2R10 with dual 50 HP motors and over 235,000 lbs of platen force.
What drives the price within this range:
- Ram configuration — true two-ram construction vs. single-sheet interlocking design (like the Excel HV Series)
- Motor size — 20 HP entry configurations up to dual 50 HP industrial setups
- Platen force — the defining spec for two-ram machines; higher force means denser bales and the ability to process tougher materials
- Cycle time — industrial machines cycle as fast as 16 seconds; slower cycle times reduce throughput
- Automation level — from manually-tied entry models up to fully operator-free systems with automatic wire tying and hardened logic controllers
New vs. Used — Which Is the Right Call?
Buying used doesn’t mean buying a risk. It means buying a machine whose original owner absorbed the depreciation hit while you get the remaining useful life at a significantly lower price point.
Here’s how to think about it:
Buy new when:
- You need a specific configuration, motor size, or feature set that isn’t available in current used inventory
- You want a manufacturer warranty and full support from day one
- Your operation runs multiple shifts and you need the reliability assurance that comes with a new machine
- You qualify for Section 179 or bonus depreciation in a given tax year (consult your accountant)
Buy used when:
- Your volume doesn’t justify the cost premium of a new machine
- You want to test a baler type or brand before committing to a new-equipment investment
- You need a machine quickly and the right used option is available now
- You’re outfitting a second or third location and want to keep capital costs down
The Altitude difference on used equipment: every used machine we sell has been physically inspected before listing — not picked up blind at auction and passed along. We know the equipment because we service the same brands. And when you buy used from us, you have access to our service team after the sale, not just a transaction and a handshake.
→ Browse All Used Recycling Equipment
Rental — What Does It Cost to Rent a Baler?
If you’re not ready to buy — or if your need is seasonal, temporary, or uncertain — renting is an option worth considering seriously. Rental eliminates the upfront capital cost, typically includes maintenance and repair coverage, and gives you the flexibility to scale up or switch equipment as your needs change.
We offer vertical balers, horizontal balers, and compactors for rent. Pricing varies based on equipment type and rental duration. Call us to get a quote for your specific situation.
→ Learn More About Baler Rentals
What’s the Total Cost of Ownership — Beyond the Purchase Price?
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Here’s what else goes into the total cost of operating a baler:
Baling wire — a recurring consumable that every baling operation needs constantly. Single loop bale ties, black annealed box wire, or coil wire depending on your baler type. We supply baling wire at competitive prices and ship nationwide — this is a cost we can help you manage.
Preventative maintenance — scheduled PM visits twice a year (vertical balers) to quarterly (high-volume horizontal and auto-tie) catch problems before they turn into expensive breakdowns. Budget for this as an operating cost, not an emergency fund.
Parts and repairs — hydraulic seals, wear plates, wire guides, and other components wear over time on any baler. Having a service relationship with a team that knows your equipment is worth more than the parts themselves.
Labor — manual-tie balers require an operator to wire each bale. Auto-tie machines dramatically reduce this cost. Factor labor into your equipment comparison, not just the purchase price.
→ Request a Baler Service Estimate
Get a Quote on the Right Baler for Your Operation
Every operation is different — your material type, your volume, your available space, your electrical setup, and your budget all factor into which baler is actually the right fit. We’d rather help you find the right machine than sell you the wrong one.
Call us, tell us what you’re processing and how much of it, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation — whether that’s a $8,000 used vertical baler, a new horizontal baler, or a rental arrangement while you figure out the right long-term path.
Call: 720-545-5348 Email: sales@altituderecycling.com → Browse New Balers → Browse Used Balers → Request a Quote
Altitude Recycling Equipment — Aurora, CO New & Used Recycling Balers, Baling Wire, Rentals & Service Serving CO, WY, UT, NE, KS, AZ & NM — Equipment Available Nationwide 720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com