Diet Feeders

A brief look at some of the models on the market today

Abbey Machinery are an agriculture technology company located in Nenagh, Tipperary, Ireland who specialize in manufacturing “Total Cow” solutions for farmers. As part of the total cow solution, Abbey provides an expert feed management system, supporting the progressive on farm enterprises, while providing a consistent mix for any herd number and raising the performance of the herd.

Abbey Diet Feeders are ideal for customers wishing for extra capacity with stability and quality of mix without extra height. Included in the range are a variety of Vertical Auger Diet Feeders, Paddle Feeders and Static Feeders. Included in the Vertical Auger Feeders range are Single, Double and TriAuger models with a capacity from 8m3 to 33.5m3 - these can all be tailored for individual requirements with optional extras.

Abbey Diet Feeders have a low power requirement and are key to saving operators’ time. For example, a farm with 1000 cows can save 10 hours a week by incorporating an Abbey feeder into their programme. Abbey Diet Feeders also contribute to a sustainable farming programme. Feeders can help reduce high emissions of ammonia by balancing fermentable energy in the feed, thereby helping to reduce carbon emissions on the farm.

Feeders feature Digi-Star weighing systems for feed

Abbey Diet Feeders

accuracy, heavy duty COMER gearboxes, and either 15mm or 22mm augers for premium mix quality. The unique tub design of Abbey Diet Feeders results in complete movement of feed for a well-mixed, easily digestible mix for your herd.

Mix consistency is the key to feed performance from BvL

Consistency is the key to a good ration mix and no two farms are the same. Therefore it’s important that a wide range of specifications and options are available, so that machines can be tailored to meet those requirements.

It’s 40 years since Bernard van Lengerich Maschinenfabrick (BvL) introduced the first vertical feed mixer wagon to the market, during which time the company has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of diet mixers.

Today, the BvL V-MIX range of trailed diet feeders covers a wide range of machines, available in single, twin and triple auger variants and in capacity from 3.5m³ up to 46m³. In addition there are the increasingly popular V-M<IX DRIVE single and twin auger self-propelled models with capacities from 11m3 up to 21m³. Instead of cutting, these use a combing action to loosen the silage from the clamp which helps avoid damage and helps preserve feed quality.

At the heart of all BvL mixers are powerful mixing augers, with Hardox leading edges and adjustable knives. Twin and triple auger versions incorporate mixing wedges for a thorough and consistent mix.

A unique feature of all BvL diet mixers is the patented

EDS (Exact Dosing System) discharge. This is designed to provide consistent, even forage discharge that is deposited in a loose swath. With doors on both the left and right hand side of the feeder, this provides complete feeding flexibility and even allows for the mix to be deposited on both sides simultaneously. A wide range of additional discharge door options are available, as is a discharge conveyor on all models. A new feature on the V-MIX DRIVE is a creep speed function that allows fine control of the speed when filling and discharging. A new automatic nixing system is also now standard which at the push of a button allows the mixing time and auger speed to be set to help ensure a consistent ration mix every time. When the mixing time has elapsed, the augers automatically shut off and engine speed reduced. The Conor vertical feeder is the result of extensive field testing and its unique design ensures that even the toughest of bales are mixed quickly and efficiently. The design of the auger and the shape and angle of the tub allow a mixing process that is gentle on the fibre and is fast and exact in the mixing of all fodder components. The design of the auger ensures the ration is cut uniform and square. This increases the rumen “scraping” effect which increases saliva production which increases feed intake which increases milk yield. The mixing auger and tub are perfectly matched to give fast and homogenous mixing. The blades are positioned to give a uniform cut along the length of the blade, this reduces blade wear and fuel consumption.

Through the use of a Conor diet feeder you can achieve increased milk production per kg of feed and improved beef yield. You will be feeding a total mixed ration which improves digestibility in the rumen allowing

Conor vertical feeders

cattle to extract more nutrients from their food and produce more milk or beef. The gentle mixing process produces a better ration for your cattle. The position of the large one metre wide discharge doors on the corners of the tub

is the optimum position for the even distribution of the ration. This gives even product flow and consistent fodder discharge and prevents fodder accumulation.

The tub has a sloped welded spill ring, this prevents forage from staying on the top of the feeder and it gives strength and stability. The tub and auger are made from the higher grade S355 steel, this reduces wear and increases the lifetime of the feeder. The Conor feeder has long forward positioned counter knives. These help reduce material travelling around the tub at the beginning of mixing while also producing a wave effect during the mixing process.

Hi-Spec Vertical Auger and MixMax diet feeders

With its range of Vertical Auger and MixMax paddle type feeders, Hi-Spec Engineering Co Ltd offers one of the widest ranges of diet feeders on the market.

A particular feature of HiSpec diet feeders is the wide range of options, with various feed-out options available, ensuring they can be adapted to suit all types of building and feeding system.

The Hi-Spec Vertical Auger range of feeders is available in both single and twin auger variants and sizes from 7m³ to 32m³.

A specific feature of the HiSpec range is its ability to quickly and efficiently incorporate complete bales into the mix, due to the unique knife arrangement, which also allows the Vertical Auger mixer to be used with lower horsepower tractors. The Vertical Auger range uses a low pitch mixing and chopping auger that creates a simple cycle action and is fitted with eight selfsharpening knives one of which runs close to the body of the Vertical Feeder. This ensures that once the mix is drawn up by the auger, as it falls back down the side it continues to be chopped and mixed, ensuring a quick and thorough mix can be consistently achieved.

The wide range of options includes various discharge outlet positions or a variable height hydraulic chute or Cross Conveyor with elevator. It can also be specified with the Digi-Star TMR Tracker fully programmable electronic weighing system.

The Hi-Spec MixMax range of paddle type feeders range in size from 10m3 up to 24m³, and are designed to be flexible, sturdy and economical, with a long lasting and simple design that ensures low running costs and low maintenance.

MixMax paddle feeders use the Hi-Spec Feed-Flo mixing system that features a single angled rotor arms to provide thorough end-to-end mixing and a light fluffy ration without the need for multiple augers. The mix is discharged through a hydraulically operated door through a teaser roller that makes it easy to adjust the flow rate and provide an even, consistent feedout.

New twin auger trailed mixer launched by Kuhn

KUHN has filled the gap between its PROFILE S and L range of trailed mixer wagons with the PROFILE M series. Fitting neatly between the narrow- and wide-bodied machines, and aimed at mediumsized farms, the M series will be produced from 2023 onwards in five mixing capacities from 16 to 25m³.

The 20m³ capacity machine has an overall height of less than 3 metres, making it well suited to housing with lower access. The largest machine in the range at 25m³ can feed 200 cows in a single pass, making it perfectly positioned for the average UK dairy herd which is estimated at 212.

Two feed out options are available, a cross conveyor in the CM model can be positioned at the front of the machine, and a chute or tilting slide conveyor is offered on the DM models. Plus models are specified with a straw blowing turbine capable of blowing 158kg of straw up to 18

metres per minute, and all models can be upgraded by adding a selection of tub extensions.

All models in the range feature KUHN’s patented 5 load cell weighing system that is well suited to both small and fullload mixtures. This is coupled to KUHN’s unique C-DRIVE system which, with a 1.10 metre distribution door, offers fast and well-balanced distribution of forage.

The twin augers can be specified with KUHN’s long-life K-NOX coating. This increases the life of the auger by up to six times by acting as a corrosion resistant layer to protect against the abrasion of acidic silica contained in forage.

For farms looking to distribute forage into troughs or raised feeders, FLEXILIFT can be specified. This tilting cross conveyor will distribute forage evenly and does not protrude from the body of the mixer wagon. As herd numbers have grown, Carlisle-based Bowe Dairy Farming has increased feeding efficiency with a triple auger, 40 cubic metre capacity Kverneland Siloking 4.0 feeder.

“It’s not just the size,” explains George Bowe, who runs the 900-cow, 1750-acre Chalk Lodge Farm alongside his dad, Michael. “Mixing quality and unloading performance is also important for cow intake and milk production. It needs to be done quickly and efficiently.”

Replacing a 36-cubic metre model for the larger, 40-cube System 1000+ model supplied by RC Dalgleish saw one key option chosen to boost efficiency – that of HD doors.

High-efficiency feeding with Kverneland Siloking

“We had small doors on the corners of the tub, and we feed directly on-floor, not into troughs,” explains George. “We wanted larger, wider doors, but they needed to be on the sides of the tub. This lets us unload faster, and much closer to the feed barriers.”

For the complete range of Strautmann Diet Feeders contact your local depot

He says a pair of HD doors on the left-side of the System 1000+ 4535 feeder has halved unloading times.

“I’m really impressed with the unloading speed,” he says. “Our smaller feeder used to take around 30 minutes to unload a full mix, and now this bigger model empties in just 15 minutes. This saves time and diesel, and also means each ration spends less time inside the feeder, and more time in front of the cows.”

Mixing around 40 tonnes of feed each day, grass silage forms the lion’s share of the ration, with straights added as required.

“Mixing times are unchanged, and that really doesn’t take long with a T6.180 tractor,” he says. “The T6 offers a good mix of size and power for the feeder, and I feel that we’ve got the balance about right.”

Cameras make it easier to see in and around the tub, and with two steered axles, the 9.9m overall length of the feeder is easy to manage.

“It turns really well, and doesn’t need a lot of space, though we couldn’t go higher, as we have low overhanging roof space on the corner of some sheds,” he says.

Seko Diet Feeders from Harry West (Press) via Italy

Harry West (Prees) Ltd are the sole importers of the Italian built Seko diet feeder range for the whole of the UK & Ireland.

The Seko range of diet feeders is possibly the most comprehensive line up of models produced and offered in Europe. From tub mixers, horizontal mixers, trailed, static and self propelled there is a size and model to suit all needs and applications. The whole range is imported and distributed in the UK via the Harry West (Prees) Ltd dealer network. www.harrywest. co.uk

The Seko Sam 7 Unifeed range of trailed Diet Feeders have models from 5 to 30 cubic metre capacity requiring tractors from 30 -170HP. Models of the horizontal mixer are also available in both stationary and self propelled machines.

Seko Diet Feeders have the ability to chop any kind of fibrous material including bales of silage, hay or straw and to quickly and homogeneously mix ingredients thanks to their “Double Mix” system. They give excellent results even with very moist material that equivalent machines would struggle with. The simple but effective design provides greater reliability, reduced maintenance and a longer machine life. Low horsepower requirements reduce wear and tear and running costs.

The range are equipped with two augers with four convergent windings rotating towards the centre with star shaped blades on their periphery. These and the centre counter blades quickly chop any fibrous materials. A large bale

of forage can be broken down in 4 to 5 minutes. The system produces a standard mix 99% perfect in less than 10 minutes and this feed results in an improved animal performance superior to that achieved by an alternative feeder.

The many options available on this range include onboard weigh system capable of interfacing with a PC, onboard crane loading, rear loading shovel, onboard silage tiller and the Vulcan series equipped with powerful blowers for bedding.

The Seko Tiger range of “Tub Mixers” are available from 9 to 45 cubic metre models. The wide range chopping- mixer models in the Tiger series offers the most complete and versatile solutions for feed preparation on farms with dairy and fattening cattle. With trailed machines, static and self propelled versions of the Tiger we can meet the demands of feeding and aim to achieve the best results both in terms of production and health of the animals.

Chopping and mixing are developed through augers designed with high resistant materials, heavier gauge with a helicoidal profile, these augers determine the smooth movement of the products from the base to the top, keeping the mix extremely soft. The augers are equipped with special sabre-profiled blades which interact with the counter blades put diagonally in the box, assuring a precise chop of entire bales of forage and straw.

Various feed outlets are available, conveyors and direct chutes. Choice of control systems and weighing facilities are also available.

Strautmann Verti Mix range

For over 80 years Strautmann have been building their expertise in livestock feeding. Since late 2021, all Strautmann Verti-Mix diet feeder wagons have been equipped with new IMS (Intensive Mixing System) auger.

Previously, Strautmann’s tried and tested Vario2 auger consisted of 900 stepped segments, welded to each other to form a particularly solid and robust mixing auger. However, in order to further improve mixing efficiency and to extend the service life, Strautmann have changed the auger’s geometry.

The 900 steps have become 600 steps and the number of steps has increased meaning the ration is both rotated and tumbled. Increasing the number and flattening the steps between the auger elements improves the tumbling action, providing a homogeneous mix faster, whilst using less power and creating less wear.

Strautmann Verti-Mix wagons range from a single auger with capacity of 7.5m twin to a triple auger machine with 45m³capacity. The mixing tub design is also patented and provides the container with additional rigidity but it also adds flexibility, by enabling attachments to be added, increasing the capacity of the mixing tub. The double auger 2401 (capacity 19m³ – 24m³) is the most popular model in the UK and is typically suitable to feed out between 190 and 240 animals.

Once the mix has been processed it is all about feeding out, many discharge options are available to suit individual needs – from single and double doors to a cross conveyor or a V conveyor designed to feed over a feed barrier or into a trough.

Various weighing options are available and, through Strautmann’s selected partner status, the popular CowConnect plug and play weighing and feeding app can be specified.

All Strautmann diet feeders are backed up by strong and reliable support, both from the network of Strautmann dealers and by OPICO’s dedicated technical support team.

For the complete range of Strautmann Diet Feeders contact your local depot