[vc_row type=”container”][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Mixing & feeding equipment” btn_style=”custom” btn_custom_background=”#fdc900″ btn_custom_text=”#666666″ btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dairyaustralia.com.au%2F~%2Fmedia%2FDocuments%2FPastures%2520and%2520feeding%2FFeed%2520management%2FFlexible%2520feeding%2520systems%2520-%2520Mixing%2520and%2520delivering%2520feed.pdf||” btn_add_icon=”true”]
Delivering feed on a feedpad
Machinery can constitute a significant part of an infrastructure investment, so make sure equipment suits the feed you will be delivering to the feed pad.
Think about future herd requirements too:[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060013623{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Mixer Wagon
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060063467{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Mixer wagons are purpose built for mixing a range of ration ingredients. There are three types: paddle, vertical, and horizontal mixers.
Different mixer wagons have different power requirements of the tractor needed to operate it – e.g. paddle mixers require less power than vertical or horizontal mixers.
- Match the tractor to the mixer wagon.
- Ensure the tractor is large enough to tow a full wagon safely on slippery or sloping surfaces.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1449059997398{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”71555″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060013623{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Tractor and front-end loader
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060063467{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Useful for simple mixing of dry feeds but be aware that long, fibrous materials can separate out and uneven mixing can occur.
- Fit load cells to weigh ingredients.
- Cannot mix minerals, feed additives or urea.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1449059997398{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”71556″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060013623{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Silage carts
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” css=”.vc_custom_1449060063467{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Silage carts are designed to deliver chopped silage but can also be used for crude mixing by layering various feed ingredients in the wagon. Note that uneven mixing may occur.
- Can have high wastage if cart has a wide feed-out.
- Fit load cells to weigh ingredients.
- Cannot mix minerals, feed additives or urea.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1449059997398{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”71557″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Err on the side of big if you are building a large feed pad or freestall – most farmers who’ve already built say they wished they’d purchased larger mixing machines and tractors.
Approximate power requirements for tractors using mixer wagons of different capacities
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container”][vc_column][vc_table vc_table_theme=”simple_green”]Effective%20mixer%20capacity%20(m3),Less%20than%206%20m3,6-8%20m3,9-14%20m3,15-20%20m3|[b]Tractor%20size%20(horse%20power,75,100,125,150[/vc_table][/vc_column][/vc_row]