Elevator Lifts Cattle To Barn's Haymow Pens

Elevator lifts cattle to barn's haymow pens LIVESTOCK Buildings 9-1-24 Wisconsin farmer Joseph Boesl, of Boyceville, built an elevator to lift cattle and feed from the ground floor to the haymow of his remodeled barn. The need for the elevator arose when Boesl built cattle pens in the haymow. Since he was putting most of his hay in the silo, he decided to make use of the empty space in the haymow. He put a 3-in. thick, 34 by 37 ft. concrete slab on the haymow floor. The concrete and cattle weigh no more than a barn full of hay, he points out. He divided the slab into three sections for different sized cattle and ran water and electricity to the pens. Manure is pushed from the pens into 4 in. diameter pvc pipes ù one for each pen ùthat drop the manure to a gutter on the lower level. The 34 by 37 in. elevator is situated next to the feed room so Boesl can wheel the feedcart into the elevator, raise it to the haymow and them wheel the cart out to feed the cattle. The elevator is also used to carry newborn calves up to the mow, and to bring 500 lb. cattle down. Boesl made the elevator with steel mesh panels for sides and a steel floor. Two of the side panels are hinged to act as gates. The elevator is powered by a reversible ¢ hp. motor, winch and 3/8 in. cable. The top pulley is anchored in the haymow ceiling. A garage door opener switch on each floor stops/starts the elevator.

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