Baling press for cotton gin trash and other biomass feedstock and methods of using the same

A horizontal baling press for baling cotton gin trash and other biomass feedstock comprising:

• a bale strapping insertion assembly;
• said bale strapping insertion assembly comprising one or more inserter shafts for insertion of a bale strapping through bale strapping insertion apertures within side walls of an extrusion chamber chute, one or more strapping positioning elements, one or more strapping guide elements, a drive assembly for inserter shaft actuation to drive movement of said inserter shafts through said extrusion chamber chute, and an encasing for mounting and supporting said inserter shafts, positioning elements, drive assembly, and strapping retention elements on an opposite side of the baling press from the encasing and inserter shafts for holding a strapping loop in place once the inserter shafts have transferred the strapping through the extrusion chamber chute;
• and
• wherein said strapping retention elements comprise a spring loaded gate and resistance pads for gripping and holding in position a strapping loop.