Hay Elevator - Conveyor Recommendations

Bill VA · Sep 27, 2020

Considering a hay elevator (conveyor). Not interested in one that has a carriage and wheels, but the type that are like a frame (reminds me of a ladder) with chain running down the center and electric motor.

What do you recommend, brand, type, electric motor hp/type, length, etc.

It’s a bit of a haul, but there is a John Deere 200 24fthay elevator for sale - what’s your opinion of this elevator?

We have an old 16ft elevator, but I think it might cost more to repair than a replacement.

Thanks!
Bill

mudcreek183 · Sep 27, 2020

We had one years ago worked great can't remember the name,a lot simpler to maintain with just one chain.

Loosehandle · Sep 28, 2020

I have a 24 foot, made it so motor comes off easy and I can just move it around alone some without the loader. Don't know brand but it's time to drag it up in the hay loft for winter ugh....

ztrmowers · Sep 28, 2020

what wrong with the one you got after all, all that moves is the one chain and sprocket and motor to run

SHALER · Sep 28, 2020

Im a few hundred miles north of you. what you refer to is a "skeleton elevator" is the local vernacular. New Holland made some, Snowco made some, and others. Your area may have other makes that are popular. Unless you are planning to use it on a very steep grade, 3/4 hp motor should be good. Im thinking beyond about 24 feet long it gets pretty awkward to move around. Make sure you have a good correctly sized V Belt on it. I beleive most of the parts are pretty universal. T.R. Metalcrafters in Wisconsin has parts if you buy one at an auction and it needs some attention. IMHO that is the only way to go unless ur a BTO small square guy because they are pretty expensive new. Thanks to the previous poster about the notion of a "quick removal" motor as these elevators can generally be pretty easy to cart around if the motor is removed. My elevator was some of the smartest money I spent.

JK-NY · Sep 28, 2020

It is hard to recommend a brand of skeleton elevator, it would be more about what would be common in your area. As to length that would be determined by your needs. I have seen newer square tube elevators that can be added to in 8’ sections . If you get more than 24’ it will be harder to move without help. I have an old 16’ elevator similar to what you described that runs with 1/2 hp motor. My 36’ double chain New Holland hay/grain elevator uses 1hp electric motor.

Northvale PA · Sep 28, 2020

We have 2 elevators. You can just see the bottom end of the NH in the partially open door. They are both skeleton type, 18’ and 22’. We use them to go up and sideways as well. We use rope and pulleys to move them or They sit on steel saw horses I made. 2 people can unload a fair amount of bales as long as you aren’t carrying or throwing the bales. Cutting the labor of small bales is key. The NH is the smoother working of the two, which I bought at Wengers.

Timmycornpicker · Sep 28, 2020

There was a shop in Lancaster county PA that was making aluminum single chain elevators but I haven't seen them advertising anymore.

jaoneill · Sep 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:47:32 09/27/20) Considering a hay elevator (conveyor). Not interested in one that has a carriage and wheels, but the type that are like a frame (reminds me of a ladder) with chain running down the center and electric motor.
What do you recommend, brand, type, electric motor hp/type, length, etc.
It s a bit of a haul, but there is a John Deere 200 24fthay elevator for sale - what s your opinion of this elevator?
We have an old 16ft elevator, but I think it might cost more to repair than a replacement.
Thanks!
Bill

We had several of the old tube type skeleton conveyors a 16', 2- 24' & a 28'. They were light and easy to move around; one man could easily lift the 28, one end at a time or to just drag. Neighbor recently bought a brand new 24' square tube that is almost more than 2 men can handle.

showcrop · Sep 30, 2020

Around here what you see mainly is Snowco. I had one that I bought new from the JD Dealer. Before that I had one that was badged New Holland but I expect that it was made by someone else. For a few years I used a Snowco that was owned by the town. The Snowcos are built light which is great for handling, but you can't use it for a ladder to get up to the loft or you will have to do some repairing.

Bill VA · Sep 30, 2020

Thanks for the replies on hay elevators - very much appreciated!

Bill

Hay Elevator - Conveyor Recommendations

Bill VA

Well-known Member

mudcreek183

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Loosehandle

Well-known Member

ztrmowers

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SHALER

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JK-NY

Well-known Member

Northvale PA

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Timmycornpicker

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jaoneill

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showcrop

Well-known Member

Bill VA

Well-known Member

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