A baler (10) is disclosed. The baler (10) comprising: a frame (14); a feed system (22) coupled to the frame (14); a baling chamber (70); a plunger (74) at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber (70); a connecting rod (122) coupled to the plunger (74), wherein the connecting rod (122) defines a fluid volume therein; a sensor (332) in fluid communication with and configured to send signals indicating the fluid pressure within the fluid volume of the connecting rod (122); and a controller (38) in operable communication with the sensor (332) and configured to determine the magnitude of a force being applied to the plunger (74) at least partially based on a signal received from the sensor (332).
