Diet feeder for bales

[Agrifool]

What is best for baled silage, vertical tub feeder or horizontal twin auger machine? A lot of horizontal machines going 2nd hand for keen money. But tubs now seem more popular?

 

[manfromhill]

Have used both and think the tubs better

 

[Iogijones]

Have an abbey tub and can put 4-5 bales in to mix in a 1450cube single auger

 

[KB6930]

I've a horizontal auger machine and do bales and really wish I had a tub

 

[tr250]

Vertical will be best for bales but both will drive you insane with bales silage is best chopped with a forager if you want to use a feeder wagon

 

[michael N123]

Vertical will be best for bales but both will drive you insane with bales silage is best chopped with a forager if you want to use a feeder wagon

Chopped threw the baler there no problem

best thing to have is a big bucket so can take the net and plastic off on the floor then safely drop the bale in

 

[thesilentone]

To make a complete diet (non-selective) a Horizontal makes the best mix, however due to the operation, consumes much more power chopping bales than a vertical.

 

[Agrifool]

Is it a big job replacing knives on a horizontal? Do you climb inside or remove augers from machine? A vertical tub does look a simpler drive train

 

[thesilentone]

Is it a big job replacing knives on a horizontal? Do you climb inside or remove augers from machine? A vertical tub does look a simpler drive train

You do it from the inside. No auger to remove. The auger knives are single center bolt, the stationary are held by a fillet of metal which you lever open, tap out the old and slide in the new.

 

[KB6930]

Is it a big job replacing knives on a horizontal? Do you climb inside or remove augers from machine? A vertical tub does look a simpler drive train

From the inside and an absolute pig of a job.

Bales are bad for getting wedge in either end as well !!!!!!!

 

[Chips]

Vertical will be best for bales but both will drive you insane with bales silage is best chopped with a forager if you want to use a feeder wagon

Really ? I've moved to bales and find it far easier, far cheaper and far less waste .
15 cube single auger tub and tanco bale slice make it a breeze.
Organic hill farm is why it's cheaper

 

[dairydurham]

Put the grass through a forager and save yourself a whole load of time , hassle & diesel

 

[daveydiesel1]

The silage comin out of a paddle feeder is more palitable than a tub. Iv seen it demonstrated by a farmer done 1 side of shed with paddle and other with tub. Also another day he done every other bay with each feeder, the cows choose the silage from the paddle first. It was a demo tub feeder but needless to say he went paddle again

 

[thesilentone]

The silage comin out of a paddle feeder is more palitable than a tub. Iv seen it demonstrated by a farmer done 1 side of shed with paddle and other with tub. Also another day he done every other bay with each feeder, the cows choose the silage from the paddle first. It was a demo tub feeder but needless to say he went paddle again

That is more to do with Cows being habitual, not the feeder. Cow's usually go to the same place for most things. Anyway it's irrelevant, as a paddle feeder can't handle round bales.

If it were me, I would go for vertical if feeding round bales, full set of knives and all stops in. Horizontal (auger not paddle) can increase DM intake slightly due to compression, however overall vertical is much better suited for the task.

Balance the risks, and make sure you are equipped to handle bales.