Round Bale Feeder Loads Itself

Round Bale Feeder Loads Itself LIVESTOCK Feeding Equipment 28-1-28 You don't need a tractor to load big bales into the new Freedom Feeder manufactured by Kinsella Plastics. The self-loading feeder can be pulled behind a truck at speeds up to 45 mph, thanks to the two regular sized tires at the rear. To load a bale, one side of the feeder folds down to form a ramp. Pins are inserted into either end of the bale and a scissors unit attaches to the pins and to a winch on the feeder, which then pulls the bale into the feeder. It rolls right up the ramp. The feeder was invented by Donny Lane of Fort St. John, B.C. and is patented in both Canada and the U.S. "It will pay for itself after eight to 10 round bales, says Neil Gillard, owner of Kinsella Plastics. "It allows smaller farmers to enjoy the convenience of using round bales, since the feeder will load, transport and feed one round bale at a time," Gillard says. "Since it's classed as a farm implement, there's no need for trailer wiring if you use the slow moving vehicle sign which comes with it. You don't need to bother your hay supplier to start up his tractor when you come for a bale, and once the feeder is parked at home in your corral or pasture, there's no more work involved for days or weeks at a time, depending on how many head you are feeding. For example, you can go away for the weekend without having to rely on anyone to do your feeding like you'd have to with square bales," he says. Once the side panel/ramp is closed and secured, the operator can pull the feeder to his or her corral or pasture. It can then be unhooked and stabilized with the unit's jack and stabilizer legs. Animals access the feed from either side, with those panels positioned at an angle (further out at the top) in order to minimize feed waste. The unit accommodates the larger 6-ft. bales. A 2 by 6-ft. mineral tray is located between the back wheels for feeding minerals or salt blocks. The Freedom Feeder costs $2,500 (Can.) plus freight. Custom orders for two-bale versions of the Freedom Feeder are also accepted, according to Gillard. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Neil Gillard, Kinsella Plastics, Box 5, Kinsella, Alberta, Canada T0B 2N0 (ph/fax 780 336-3308; email: kinplast@telusplanet.net).

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