Poor Galvanised Feed Barriers

[Pagan Stockman]

Hi everyone I am new to farming forum. But not new to farming. Just interested to hear if anyone else is having issues with IAE feed barriers and equipment going rusty? We built a beef shed 3 years ago the galvanised barriers have starting rusting on the bottoms quite badly. Our local dealer got the Iae rep to come out who agreed it was not good and said he would report to customer services along with some photos for evidence. I then have had several emails from IAE explaining it was my fault and not there's for allowing them to sit in muck and silage!!! I said I think that there galvanising was not fit for purpose. They explained that if there was a problem with the galvanising then the whole barrier would have gone rusty not just the bottom rails. I don't this is good enough quite frankly. Has anyone else experienced this??

 

[JP1]

They have their own galvanising plant . As far as I know all galvanisers galvanise to a common standard , found on the galvanising association website

They do have a point if it's only on the bottom

 

[Pagan Stockman]

They have their own galvanising plant . As far as I know all galvanisers galvanise to a common standard , found on the galvanising association website

They do have a point if it's only on the bottom

I agree it's what caused it. But surly galvanising should protect against this otherwise what is the point of galvanising? We also have 30 year old IAE equipment and 50 year old MAC gates that are fine

 

[JP1]

I agree it's what caused it. But surly galvanising should protect against this otherwise what is the point of galvanising? We also have 30 year old IAE equipment and 50 year old MAC gates that are fine

I've IAE and other ringfeeders that spend 6 months of the year sat in slurry, so I agree

 

[Optimus]

Looks like it's the height of where the silage sits to me.

 

[Wesley]

Long term slurry/dung/silage & galvanising are not friends. It will eat it away in very little time. Too late now, but some people paint bitumen on it to extend its life. Looks pretty normal to me unfortunately.

 

[Pagan Stockman]

Looks like it's the height of where the silage sits to me.

Yes it is but surely if galvanised properly then that would protect it.

 

[Pagan Stockman]

Long term slurry/dung/silage & galvanising are not friends. It will eat it away in very little time. Too late now, but some people paint bitumen on it to extend its life. Looks pretty normal to me unfortunately.

Makes you wonder what is the point in paying extra for galvanising in the first place. We also have some John Shepherd feeders that are painted steel and they have lasted 20 plus years

 

[Wesley]

Just been down to check on some dry cows. Been in longer than yours but I’d say it’s pretty standard. IAE needs the galvanise to double the thickness of the steel, especially compared to John Shepherd things. But you get what you pay for.

 

[Optimus]

Yes it is but surely if galvanised properly then that would protect it.

You'd hope so but silage eats everything.

I think if you've got the metal so close to the ground it's only going to last so long.
I've a Stewart trailer with a galvanised body.the difference is night an day between the old painted one.

 

[Nithsdale]

Looks pretty standard I'd say.
Nothing is built/made to last these days, including galvanising

 

[GingerGenius78]

The acids and such in muck and silage will react with the zinc of the galvanising. even salt water will eventually cause issues on it it is a moderately reactive metal that will combine with oxygen and other non-metals and will react with dilute acids to release hydrogen.

in that reaction the zinc is depleated in the case of galvanising that will be the reduction and eventually the loss of the coating from the steel it’s protectin.

 

[Lazy Eric]

All sounds very normal to me.
The thickness of steel will dictate how long livestock feeding equipment will last not the finish.
If you want long lasting feed equipment spend a lot more than what Iae or Bateman have to offer.
Galv on whatever thickness of steel will not last exposed to a mix of silage and cow pee.

 

[shumungus]

There's galvanising and galvanising, electricity pylons up now 50 odd years round us and galv coating as good as the day it was dipped. Galvanising quality has a lot to do with how well steel is pickled before hand and how well it is heated during.

 

[Nearly]

Sacrificial anode has been sacrificed.
Pressure wash and bitumen paint next spring?

 

[thorpe]

in my experiance if the galvanising shine,s it's cr4p!

 

[Werzle]

Everythings made as cheap as poss nowadays, metals like paper .

 

[Northeastfarmer]

There's galvanising and galvanising, electricity pylons up now 50 odd years round us and galv coating as good as the day it was dipped. Galvanising quality has a lot to do with how well steel is pickled before hand and how well it is heated during.

Yes but pylons are re painted with zinc paint every few years

 

[ridger]

Silage effluent is sore on galvanising, this sat in a slurry/ effluent tank for around a day , to be fair it was pretty potent silage but even so I think it's a good example

 

[Hilly]

They have their own galvanising plant . As far as I know all galvanisers galvanise to a common standard , found on the galvanising association website

They do have a point if it's only on the bottom

Galvanising aint what it once was , its poor quality in comparison the years ago for what reason I dont know .