2011 - Volume #35, Issue #2, Page #20
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Feed Wagon Shoots Out Cattle Bedding
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"We built a new freestall barn in 1998, and needed a good way to spread bedding," says the Berlin, Penn., dairy farmer. At first he used a forage wagon, but still ended up shoveling.
So they started experimenting with a feed wagon.
"We took off the conveyor extension and built a framework out of channel iron," Smiley explains. The frame supports an old fertilizer elevator belt at the front of the feed wagon, which is sprocket and chain-driven by a hydraulic motor.
The feed wagon auger moves the wood shavings to the front of the wagon where they drop down on the belt and are shot out of the side.
"The shavings shoot up to 6 ft.," Smiley says. "It works perfect and shoots nice even layers."
He added board extensions on the wagon and can bed the barn twice with one load.
He has also used it to spread ground soybean stubble and hasn't had any problems with it. It's fast, easy and a lot less expensive than purchasing a side shooter for a skidsteer, Smiley says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Joel Smiley, 705 Pike School Rd., Berlin, Penn 15530 (ph 814 267-3741; smileyequip@gmail.com).
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