Dewey Marcy, Greeley, Colo., has developed a new mechanical feeder for large round bales, small square bales, or big square bales. The tub-type machine scoops up big bales, loads them into a hopper, chops the material and spreads it in a bunk or windrow. By removing the deflector chute, bedding or mulch can be thrown as far as 60 feet.

The tub tips hydraulically and, as the machine is backed up, forks attached to the side of the tub slip under the bale. The tub is then returned to the normal, upright position, ready for transport or to start chopping hay.

To feed the bale, the tub is rotated hydraulically. The bottom of the bale is exposed to a flail chopper driven directly from the tractor pto. (This, too, is similar in principle to a tub grinder, says Marcy.) The flails cut hay from the bale and throw it out the discharge spout. To place hay in a bunk, windrow or conveyor, a deflector hood directs material downward in a steady stream. However, to spread bedding or mulch, the hood is removed and material is spread over a wide area. Spreading distance depends on pto speed, type of material, moisture content, density, etc.

According to Marcy, the feeder can be operated by a 50 hp tractor with either 540 or 1,000 rpm pto. Both trailing and 3-pt. hitch-mounted models are available.

Marcy points out that there are no screens or hammers in the "All-Around Feeder" so it is not a grinder. Chopping is done by cupped, swinging flails, each 2 in. wide and 8 in. long.

Marcy is building a limited number of the feeders in his shop and has granted an exclusive license to Hesston Corp. to manufacture the machines.