The bales are then fed
into a shredder where they are reduced to pieces about 1" long. They travel
out of the shredder on a conveyer toward the compressor. On the way the shredded
hay is dust screened and moisturized if needed.
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The state of the art hay cube manufacturing facility utilizes over 70,000
sq/ft of space. The process begins by taking hay (alfalfa or oat) from fields
carefully prepared and protected from rodent or other pest infestation (we have
all heard the dead rabbit in the hay stories). This hay, baled in 1 ton bales is
transported to the facility where it is inspected and rated for moisture and
nutrition. The bales are then fed
into a shredder where they are reduced to pieces about 1" long. They travel
out of the shredder on a conveyer toward the compressor. On the way the shredded
hay is dust screened and moisturized if needed.
The 3 compressors each powered by its own diesel engine 
compacts the pieces into a Die (Imagine your own Play Doe set)
.
The Cubes appear to grow out of the Die in 1/4 inch increments. 
they break off at about 3" long. They are fed onto another conveyer where
hay that did not compress into a cube is separated off and the cubes are then
fed into the drying oven. The drying process removes excess moisture and helps
prevent mold. The cubes come out of the oven
and are fed into climate controlled buildings 
where
they are stored until bagged or sold in bulk.