Home-Built Rig Turns Tires Into Feedbunks

Home-Built Rig Turns Tires Into Feedbunks LIVESTOCK Feeding Equipment 6-2-3 You can turn used tractor, truck and car tires into virtually indestructible lightweight feedbunks with a home-built rig for turning tires inside out, designed by South Dakota farmer John Gruntmier, of Iroquois. Gruntmier designed his tire-turning rig after he discovered that turning them inside out increases their capacity 30%. Other advantages, he says, are that the tire feed-bunks are at a convenient height for cattle of any age but low enough so older animals can completely clean out all the feed." The feedbunks are portable and easily moved from one location to another by one person, and it's virtually impossible for animals to get cut or injured on one of these inverted tire bunks," he points out. Here's how Gruntmier built his "tire turning" rig: First, he cut a tractor wheel rim in half and welded four metal loops to it. Then, in a circle about 2 ft. wider than the rim, he sunk eight screw-type grain bin anchors into the ground. Since it was late fall, he wet the area down and let the ground freeze as winter came to be certain they were secure. (He notes that the stakes could be sunk in concrete, or sunk deeper, to serve the same purpose.) To do the turning, the tire is placed over the rim, which sits in the center of the eight anchors. The top bead and about 3 in. of sidewall are cut off the tire with a saber saw. "A little soapy water or oil along the cut makes this job easier," says Gruntmier. Then, 8 1/4 by 2-in. flat iron "'J" hooks are hooked over the now beadless edge of the tire and fastened tightly to the anchors with short chains. The tire is then turned inside out by pulling the rim up through the tire by means of the four metal loops welded to its edge. "The actual pulling is the most difficult part because it takes a tremendous amount of lift to turn the tire," explains Gruntmier. "I decided to use my combine because of the heavy-duty hydraulics that can handle big headers. However, the 3-pt. gin pole frame I built to fit my combine will also fit tractor 3 pts. I've turned tires with my John Deere 4440." The entire pulling process, from start to finish, takes about 4 minutes, says Gruntmier. To turn smaller truck and car tires, just use a smaller rim and circle of anchors. Gruntmier has turned tires for neighbors but says he doesn't want to get into the business on a regular basis. He doesn't have plans for sale, but says he'd be willing to visit by phone with interested farmers. He asks readers not to send letters. For more information, call: John Gruntmier, Iroquois, S. Dak. (ph 605 546-2259).

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