A baling maching includes a variable volume baling chamber with which there is associated a hydraulic tension cylinder containing fluid in its rod end for resisting expansion of the baling chamber. A high pressure relief valve is connected in circuit between the opposite ends of the cylinder for permitting fluid transfer between the ends in accordance with the pressure setting of the valve. A low pressure relief valve is connected in circuit between the opposite ends of the tension cylinder so as to be in parallel with the high pressure relief valve. A mode select valve is located in circuit between the tension cylinder and the low pressure relief valve and is shiftable between a dense bale position wherein it prevents flow from the rod end of the tension cylinder to the low pressure relief valve whereby fluid exchange between the opposite ends of the tension cylinder is by way of the high pressure relief valve, and a soft bale position wherein it allows fluid to flow freely from the rod end of the tension cylinder to the low pressure relief valve whereby fluid exchange between the opposite ends of the tension cylinder is by way of the low pressure relief valve.