Robot Bale Feeder For Tie-Stall Barns

Robot Bale Feeder For Tie-Stall Barns HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Bale Handling (5) 19-5-23 Feeding round bales to cows inside tie stall barns is a problem for many dairymen. A new computerized bale feeder automatically moves bales through the barn, stop-ping by each cow at pre-programmed intervals with no need for any human help. The Rovibec feeder is powered by a 24-volt 3/4 hp electric motor. The bale is carried along a track made out of a 3 1/2-in. dia. steel pipe. Strips of magnetic tape are placed on the track to "tell" the feeder where to stop. You use a keyboard to tell the feeder when to start up and how long you want it to stop at each location. To load a bale, you insert a steel rod through the center of it and attach light-weight cross arms to the top and bottom. A winch on the feeder lifts the bale up. "It can be used with either hay or silage bales," says Edgar Ladouceur. "It can be programmed to make up to 10 trips through the barn per day and to stop for up to 10 minutes per animal. To save time, most farmers set it up so the bale stops between two cows. As the cows eat off the elevated bale it spins freely. "No welding is required to install the track. The system can also be adapted to existing steel I-beam tracks. There's no risk of shock to the animals because of the low voltage required to operate the system. The 24-volt battery used to power the unit can operate up to 18 hours per day before it needs to be recharged. "We also offer a steel basket that holds up to ten 50-lb. small square bales." Sells for $6,000 (Canadian) including 10-amp battery charger and track. A 2-bale model is also available and sells for $8,800. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rovibec, 591, Route 259, Ste-Monique, Cte Nicolet, Quebec, Canada JOG 1 NO (ph 819 289-2260).

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