Diet feeder loaded with tractor loader

[MickyMook]

I'm coming from a place of zero experience with this so I'm hoping some people on here with experience can help:

I'm planning on upgrading my feeding method to use a diet feeder. The only problem is that most of my loader work is done with an old JCB 3cx or a NH 7740 with front loader, so I don't have a massive lift height.
I'm thinking that this probably limits me to a paddle mixer like a Keenan. Everyone seems to have an opinion of the Keenans but I've never really heard the justifications. Just how slowly do they run and are they reliable? Is there any way of feeding bales with them that doesn't involve some sort of additional chopper?)

Additionally, I feed cows, youngstock, finishers and for part of the winter, sheep in the same yard, so will I really be saving any time over just bucket feeding meal?

Thanks in advance for opinions and suggestions

 

[Fendt516profi]

Build a ramp to drive up

 

[MickyMook]

Build a ramp to drive up

That would be the obvious solution now that you mention it The two silos are at oppositon ends of the yard, but I'm sure something could be managed. Still, is it worth it for a tub mixer?

 

[Wellytrack]

Wouldn’t go near a Keenan with bales. The horizontal auger type can handle bales alright so long as they have plenty of knives.

 

[MickyMook]

Wouldn’t go near a Keenan with bales. The horizontal auger type can handle bales alright so long as they have plenty of knives.

Would the tub feeders leave precision chopped clamp silage in a bit of a paste? Would prefer to avoid topping up with straw for fibre as I barely cover my bedding as it is with my home grown barley, and the price of straw in Northern Ireland would scare you!

 

[thesilentone]

The feeding of the stock should be No 1 priority and ensuring you have the best equipment to do so. No 2 should be the logistics and all-round ability to suit the machine. No 3 should be any compromises you may need to make based on 1 and 2.

The answer to your question above is no. The vertical auger forces feed up and not under compression, if it's precision chop, you can remove knives and take the stops out.

The fiber content is important for digestibility and scratch factor, so adding a bit of straw would help increase DM intake.

 

[Wellytrack]

Would the tub feeders leave precision chopped clamp silage in a bit of a paste? Would prefer to avoid topping up with straw for fibre as I barely cover my bedding as it is with my home grown barley, and the price of straw in Northern Ireland would scare you!

No tubs will break up short chop silage quickly and easily and as said mix and tumble.
You could consider feeding an odd bale of stemmy grass or hay in lieu of straw if the mix is needing it.

 

[mo!]

Had 10 years trying to put bales into a Keenan, messed about chopping them up with the shear grab, putting them through the straw blower etc. None of it works well, now we have a tub and life is easy. 12cube tub holds about 50% more than a 14 cube Keenan.

 

[Pistonbroke]

This is the main problem with bales. Clock showing 130kg left but nothing coming out

 

[MickyMook]

Had 10 years trying to put bales into a Keenan, messed about chopping them up with the shear grab, putting them through the straw blower etc. None of it works well, now we have a tub and life is easy. 12cube tub holds about 50% more than a 14 cube Keenan.

Is that because of the space taken up by the shaft and paddles in the keenan? I never thought about that.

 

[Pistonbroke]

Is that because of the space taken up by the shaft and paddles in the keenan? I never thought about that.

It needs spare room to allow the feed to tumble. If it gets too full it will just turn as one mass and not mix or chop.

 

[Sid]

Build a ramp to drive up

Or dig a hole and drive in it

 

[Fendt516profi]

Or dig a hole and drive in it

Could fill with water and snow

 

[Sid]

Could fill with water and snow

Do you not have drains ?

Just safer than balancing on a ramp.

 

[Fendt516profi]

Do you not have drains ?

Just safer than balancing on a ramp.

Where do you drain the bottom of your hole to in a flat yard?

 

[Sid]

Where do you drain the bottom of your hole to in a flat yard?

Same place as the gutters

 

[dannewhouse]

Could you get a twin auger tub mixer so that it's lower? I'm sure I have seen an abbey? Twin auger 14cube
I load a shelbourne 10 cube with loader I can just reach 4 th bale in a stack.
I have to be square to tip grain (and shake bucket) in but I have a bale ring 1ft higher than sides!

 

[KennyO]

A friend used to use a toe tip bucket when they loaded their dairy feeders with old mf industrial loaders.

 

[Wellytrack]

These type are lower if you are concerned about height. They will handle bales quite well so long as they are chopped.

 

[MickyMook]

A friend used to use a toe tip bucket when they loaded their dairy feeders with old mf industrial loaders.

They look like the dog's danglies for loading a feeder