Single Loop Bale Ties
If you are going to transport materials securely, you need to make sure you are using the right wire product for the task at hand. When that task is baling recyclable materials like scrap metal, plastic, and cardboard, the right product is likely to be single loop bale ties. Wire bale ties are easy to use when paired with the right baler, and our competitive prices mean you won’t have to blow through your budget to secure each bale properly.
Product Details
Size Options
Here are the sizes available for our Single Loop Bale Ties. Custom lengths are also available. Contact us for help to determine the correct size for your baler.
| Gauge | Length | Strands Per Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 6’ – 15’ | 250, 125 |
| 13 | 10’ – 18’ | 250, 125 |
| 12 | 10’ – 22’ | 125 |
| 11.5 | 10’ – 24’ | 100 |
| 11 | 10’ – 24’ | 100 |
What Is A Bale Tie?
A single loop bale tie is a strand of high strength galvanized bale wire with a twisted loop on one end. These bale ties are used to secure bales of recyclables such as cardboard, scrap metal and plastic that have been compacted in a baler.
Attention To Detail
A big benefit to shopping with Vulcan is that we pay attention to even the small details with regard to our products. To make sure we provide our customers with reliable wire bale ties, we start with 1018 carbon wire. It is hot-dipped and consistent lengths are cut to ensure you get great performance and consistency time after time. We offer gauges from 14 up to 11, and lengths run from 4 feet up to 24 feet. If you aren’t sure which size bale ties will be right for your baler, please feel free to contact us for assistance.
Here To Help
You should never feel like you are on your own trying to determine which ties are going to be right for your machine and your projects. With that in mind, you can consider the team here at Vulcan at your disposal. We’re available and ready to answer any questions to help you find the perfect product. Thank you for taking the time to consider Vulcan, and we look forward to serving you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Single Loop Bale Ties
What are single loop bale ties used for?
Single loop bale ties are used to secure bales of compacted recyclable materials after they’ve been processed through a baler. Common applications include binding cardboard, scrap metal, plastic, hay, lumber, and fabric. The single loop on one end of the wire makes it easy to thread and twist-tie by hand, making these ties a go-to solution for vertical and horizontal manual-tie balers across recycling, manufacturing, and distribution operations.
Why choose Vulcan Wire as your single loop bale ties supplier?
Vulcan Wire has been a trusted single loop bale ties supplier for over 50 years, serving businesses throughout the United States. We start with 1018 carbon wire that is hot-dipped galvanized for durability, then cut to consistent lengths for reliable performance. Our team is available to help you identify the exact gauge and length that matches your baler, so you never have to guess. We offer competitive pricing with no sacrifice in quality.
What are wire bale ties for recycling, and how do they work?
Wire bale ties for recycling are pre-cut lengths of high-strength wire with a loop on one end, used to bundle and secure compacted bales of recyclable material before transport or storage. Once your baler compresses the material, the bale tie is threaded through the baler’s channels, looped around the bale, and twisted tight to hold everything in place. Using the right gauge and length ensures the bale stays intact from the facility floor to the end buyer.
What single loop bale ties work best for a cardboard baler?
For most cardboard balers, 14 gauge or 15 gauge single loop bale ties are a popular choice because cardboard is relatively lightweight and doesn’t exert extreme outward pressure. At Vulcan Wire, our 14 and 15 gauge ties are available in lengths from 4 to 30 feet and come in bundles of 125 or 250 strands, making them easy to stock and deploy for high-volume cardboard recycling operations. If you’re unsure which length suits your specific baler model, contact our team for a free recommendation.
Are Vulcan’s single loop bale ties galvanized?
Yes. All Vulcan Wire single loop bale ties are made from hot-dipped galvanized wire, starting with 1018 carbon steel. The galvanization process coats the wire in a layer of zinc, which provides strong corrosion and rust resistance — especially important in warehouse environments with humidity, condensation, or outdoor staging areas. Galvanized single loop bale ties also hold up better to the abrasion that comes with rough handling of dense recyclable bales.
What is the difference between 12, 14, and 15 gauge single loop bale ties?
Gauge refers to the wire’s thickness — the lower the gauge number, the thicker and stronger the wire. Here’s a quick guide:
- 15 gauge — thinner wire, ideal for lighter bales such as cardboard and paper; easiest to hand-tie and available in bundles of 125 or 250
- 14 gauge — a versatile mid-range option suited for cardboard and light plastic bales; also available in bundles of 125 or 250
- 12 gauge — heavier-duty wire designed for denser, heavier bales including rigid plastics and mixed recyclables; available in bundles of 125
Vulcan Wire also offers 13, 11.5, and 11 gauge options for operations that require maximum holding strength. Not sure which gauge is right for your machine? Our team can help you match the correct specification to your baler.
Can I use single loop bale ties for a scrap metal baler?
Yes — single loop bale ties are commonly used with scrap metal balers, but it’s important to select the right gauge. Scrap metal bales are among the heaviest and most dense in the recycling industry, so we generally recommend a lower gauge wire (11 to 12 gauge) to ensure the tie holds under high pressure and doesn’t snap during handling or transport. Vulcan Wire’s 11 and 11.5 gauge single loop bale ties are specifically suited for heavy-duty applications like scrap metal baling.
Are single loop bale ties suitable for plastic recycling?
Absolutely. Single loop bale ties are a reliable choice for bale ties for plastic recycling, though it’s worth noting that plastic bales tend to have higher expansion force than cardboard or paper bales. This means you’ll likely need a lower gauge (thicker) wire to keep the bale secure. For most plastic recycling applications, 12 to 14 gauge ties from Vulcan Wire provide the right balance of strength and workability. Contact us and we’ll help you dial in the exact spec for your plastic baler.
Do you offer custom length bale ties?
Yes. In addition to our standard lengths ranging from 4 feet to 30 feet, Vulcan Wire offers custom length bale ties to fit non-standard or specialty baler models. Whether your machine requires an unusual tie channel depth or you’re working with oversized bale dimensions, we can cut wire to your specifications across all available gauges. Reach out to our team with your baler make, model, and bale dimensions, and we’ll determine the correct custom length for you.
What is the difference between single loop vs double loop bale ties?
The key difference comes down to the number of loops and the type of baler they’re designed for:
| Feature | Single Loop Bale Ties | Double Loop Bale Ties |
| Loops | One loop on one end | Loop on both ends |
| Baler type | Manual-tie vertical & horizontal balers | Auto-tie balers |
| Ease of use | Twisted by hand, quick to apply | Fed through machine mechanism |
| Best for | Cardboard, plastic, light-to-medium materials | High-volume, heavy-duty materials |
| Customization | Wide range of gauges & lengths | Typically pre-set lengths |
Single loop ties are faster to apply by hand and highly versatile across gauge and length options. Double loop ties are better suited for automated, high-throughput operations dealing with heavier or more compressible materials like foam, tires, or dense scrap metal.
How do I know what length bale tie I need?
The correct length depends on the size of your baler’s chamber and the dimensions of the finished bale. A general rule of thumb is to measure the perimeter of the bale (height + width x 2) and add 12–18 inches to account for the tie channels and the twisting overlap needed to secure the wire. Vulcan Wire offers single loop bale ties in lengths from 4 to 30 feet, so whether you’re running a compact vertical baler or a full-size horizontal baler, we have a length that fits.
How many bale ties come per bundle?
Vulcan Wire’s single loop bale ties are available in bundles of 125 or 250 strands, depending on the gauge. Lighter gauges like 14 and 15 gauge are available in both bundle sizes, while heavier gauges like 12 gauge come in bundles of 125. If your operation runs through ties quickly, contact us about volume pricing — we’re set up to supply recycling facilities, manufacturers, and distributors at scale.
Can single loop bale ties be used with a horizontal baler?
Yes — single loop bale ties are compatible with both vertical and horizontal manual-tie balers. Horizontal balers typically produce larger, denser bales, so if you’re running one, pay close attention to both gauge and length selection. You’ll generally want a heavier gauge (11 to 13 gauge) to handle the increased bale pressure, and a longer tie length to wrap the wider bale dimensions. Vulcan Wire carries the full gauge range to cover both baler types.
