Baler Infeed Conveyor: What It Does, What It Costs, and Whether You Need One

By Hoosier Machinery Solutions – Wanatah, IN – June 8, 2026 – 8 min read

HMS designs, supplies, and installs custom baler infeed conveyor systems. New Fluent and Hustler conveyors. Refurbished Mayfran, Karl Schmidt, and Endura-Veyor. Call (219) 733-2108.

A baler without a conveyor means material gets to the hopper by hand or by fork truck – which costs labor every single shift. A baler infeed conveyor solves this by moving material from dock or processing area to the baler hopper at a consistent rate that keeps the baler running near its optimal capacity. HMS designs, supplies, and installs custom baler infeed conveyor systems for any baler brand and any floor plan.

What a Baler Infeed Conveyor Actually Does

A baler infeed conveyor moves material from where it is generated or received to the baler hopper at a consistent rate. A well-designed system reduces or eliminates labor of manually loading the baler hopper, regulates material flow so the baler receives a consistent feed for even bale density, allows one operator to manage significantly higher volume per shift, and removes fork truck or manual handling from the immediate baler vicinity for safety. Baler manufacturers including Balemaster recommend sizing the machine at 2 to 3 times actual required dock capacity – a properly designed conveyor system is what allows the baler to approach its rated capacity consistently. HMS installs conveyor systems as part of turnkey baler installations – the baler and conveyor are commissioned and tested together as a complete system.

The Three Main Types HMS Installs

Chain rubber combo infeed conveyor

Uses a rubber belt surface riding on a roller chain drive system. Combines the durability and pulling power of a chain drive with the gentler rubber surface that handles cardboard, mixed paper, and OCC without snagging or shredding material. Well suited for above-ground installations requiring incline. The most versatile option for general recycling and cardboard applications. HMS sources chain rubber combo conveyors from Fluent and Hustler in custom-length configurations.

Steel belt infeed conveyor

Uses an interlocking steel belt – piano hinge or double-beaded construction. Significantly more durable than rubber belt systems. Right choice for heavy, abrasive, or sharp materials that would damage rubber over time. Common in scrap metal operations, shredder infeed, and heavy industrial material handling. Handles high material weights per linear foot with lower susceptibility to puncture or tearing. HMS sources steel belt systems from Hustler, which has over 60 years of recycling and scrap conveyor experience.

Slider bed with cleat infeed conveyor

Rides on a flat steel pan rather than rollers, with raised cleats on the belt that grip and push material up the incline rather than relying on belt friction. Best suited to lightweight, loose, or difficult-to-control materials – plastic film, shredded paper, and light mixed recyclables that tend to slip backward on a smooth incline. Gives designers more layout flexibility when floor space is constrained. Generally lower maintenance than chain-driven systems.

Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Installation

Above-ground: conveyor frame sits at or near floor level and angles upward to reach the baler hopper. No floor modification required. Material loaded from side or end by fork truck. More floor space required. Faster to install, lower upfront cost. Best when floor modification is not practical or budget is a constraint.

In-ground: conveyor recessed into a pit cut into the facility floor, with belt surface at or near floor level at the loading end. Material pushed or fork-trucked directly onto the conveyor at floor level. Cleaner facility layout, less fork truck maneuvering, improved material flow. Requires concrete saw cutting, excavation, and pit construction. Higher upfront cost. Best when workflow and long-term efficiency justify the additional site work. HMS installs both configurations and evaluates both options with every customer before recommending one.

What a Baler Infeed Conveyor Costs

Used baler infeed conveyor: $30,000 to $60,000. Sold as-is with no belt replacement or mechanical rebuild. Condition varies – inspect belt, drive components, frame, and electrical carefully. Best for operations with in-house mechanical capability. Pre-purchase inspection strongly recommended.

HMS refurbished conveyor with new belt: $80,000 to $115,000. HMS refurbishes conveyor systems from Mayfran, Karl Schmidt, Endura-Veyor, and other manufacturers at our Wanatah, Indiana facility. Every refurbished conveyor receives a brand new belt. The belt is the highest-wear component and what matters most for reliable operation. Backed by a limited HMS dealer warranty.

New custom conveyor system: $150,000 to $275,000. New conveyor systems from Fluent or Hustler, custom-built to your floor plan. Every HMS conveyor installation is custom – no off-the-shelf runs. Price reflects total system length, conveyor type, drive configuration, controls integration, and installation scope. Full manufacturer warranty and installation by HMS own team.

Important: plan the conveyor alongside the baler purchase. The most common mistake is buying a baler, installing it, then trying to retrofit a conveyor later. Planning both together produces a better-integrated system, avoids costly site rework, and ensures the conveyor is specified correctly for the baler’s hopper dimensions from day one.

Brands HMS Carries

New conveyors: Fluent Conveyors (custom and standard systems including heavy-duty roller chain belt, slider bed, and recycling sort systems built to order and to spec) and Hustler Conveyor (over 60 years serving recycling and scrap, manufactures steel belt, roller chain, flat slider, and metering conveyors specifically for baler feed applications from a 130,000 square foot facility).

Refurbished: Mayfran, Karl Schmidt, and Endura-Veyor – all refurbished at HMS’s Wanatah, Indiana facility with brand new belt included.

Do You Actually Need a Conveyor?

You likely need a conveyor if: your operation generates 5 or more tons per day and employees are currently hand-loading the baler hopper; your baler is running below rated capacity because material feed is inconsistent; fork truck traffic in the baler area creates congestion or safety concerns; you are upgrading from a vertical or manual-tie machine to a horizontal auto-tie and need consistent material feed to realize full capacity; your bale density is inconsistent and uneven hopper loading is the suspected cause.

A conveyor may not be necessary if: volume is low enough that manual or fork truck loading is efficient; facility layout makes installation impractical; you are operating a small vertical baler at low volume where ROI does not close in a reasonable timeframe.

How HMS Designs and Installs Conveyor Systems

Every HMS conveyor installation starts with the customer’s floor plan. The right system depends on baler model and hopper height, facility layout and available floor space, material type and daily volume, above-ground or in-ground preference, and electrical service and controls requirements. HMS handles the full process – design, supply, installation, and commissioning – using our own team. The same team that sold and installed your baler designs the conveyor system that feeds it. Single point of accountability from material loading point to finished bale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a baler infeed conveyor cost?

Used conveyors: $30,000 to $60,000. HMS refurbished with new belt: $80,000 to $115,000. New custom systems from Fluent or Hustler: $150,000 to $275,000. HMS designs and installs custom baler infeed conveyors for any floor plan and any baler brand.

What types of baler infeed conveyors does HMS install?

Chain rubber combo infeed conveyors, steel belt infeed conveyors, and slider bed with cleat infeed conveyors. Every system is custom-designed to the customer’s floor plan – above-ground or in-ground depending on facility requirements.

Do I need a conveyor with my baler?

Not every baler requires a conveyor, but most high-volume operations benefit significantly. Operations generating 5 or more tons of material per day typically see a strong return on conveyor infeed investment through labor savings, improved bale density, and higher commodity revenue.

What is the difference between above-ground and in-ground baler conveyor installation?

Above-ground sits on a structural frame, angles up to the hopper, requires no floor modification, lower upfront cost. In-ground is recessed into a pit cut into the floor, material loads at floor level, cleaner layout, requires concrete work and higher upfront investment. HMS installs both and designs to your specific floor plan and operational requirements.

Bottom Line

A horizontal auto-tie or two-ram baler running at 60 percent capacity because material feed is inconsistent is not performing the way it was purchased to perform. A properly designed infeed conveyor solves that problem and pays for itself in labor savings, improved bale density, and higher commodity revenue. HMS designs and installs custom baler infeed conveyor systems for any baler brand and any facility layout. New systems from Fluent and Hustler. Refurbished with new belts from Mayfran, Karl Schmidt, Endura-Veyor, and others. Call (219) 733-2108. Hoosier Machinery Solutions, 9450 W. US Highway 30, Wanatah, IN 46390.