Abstract: A mounting device for use with a hand tying device to tie a bale of compressed material comprises a pair of elongated members positioned generally parallel to each other to form a generally planar body and legs extending from an end of the body, generally perpendicular to said body. Mounting feet depend from the legs and are configured to engage a generally horizontal surface of a bale to secure the body along a vertical surface of the bale. At least one standoff element extends from another end of the body and is configured for coupling to a hand tying device and orienting the hand tying device against the vertical surface of the bale when the body is secured to the bale.