steer stuffer question

For those of you that feed out cattle with a steer stuffer (Smidley or similar style..) After you fill it with a load of feed, how often do you have to check it to make sure feed is flowing out? Does most of the feed flow out by itself, or do you have to work on it daily to keep the feed moving?

Reason I ask... I've been using a steer stuffer for the last three winters to fatten 5 steers, and I have to check it every afternoon, since the steers will eat all the feed on both sides, and usually the feed doesn't flow down enough to keep the pans full. This is with the flaps fully opened up. So I have to bang on the door flaps to get the feed flowing down, and reach up with my hand to help pull it down. Every few days I have to open up the roof and poke around because the feed will bridge over.

I'm thinking I need to use a smaller screen, since my Gehl mill only has a 1 1/2" screen in it. Would think that coarse would flow OK, but I think the husks are part of the problem. Also had a lot more big chucks of cob this last season, so the screen and hammers are probably worn too. Thinking about changing to a 3/4" screen and rotating the hammers to see if that helps (posted in Implement thread about where to find a screen.)

I replied over on the implement side. I'm thinking 3/4 is pretty small, that's a big change on ear corn.....

I've never used a stuffer but some I see have a chain or cable or rod in them the cattle rattle as they eat, that helps shake stuff loose form inside? Never looked at the engineering of that but might be something to look into?

Paul

Mine has rods that connect the knocker doors to a wire grid on the angled part of the wall. So when the cows push on it, the wire grid will shake the feed down. Part of my problem is that the husk strands get caught in the grid, so it can't move like it should. Or the feed will drop down by the grids, but leave a void behind them.

Loren:

Sounds like you need to install a vibrator on the lower side of your hopper.


:>)

Your problem isn't screen size. The smaller the grind the more it will bridge. I always throw alfalfa or brome into the grinder when I grind hog feed. That really helps to bridge, too. I'd imagine that husks or cobs ground would be even more sticky.

I should think your feeder should have something the calves nudge to feed. My other thought is to grind feed and then put whole wheat through the mineral hopper. It will help it feed both through weight and through size and shape.

Another thought. Not sure where you are at. If it gets good and cold this won't be an issue in the winter. During the summers I have to keep hog feeders free of bugs. They make the batch damp and then it really bridges. The hogs could care less about the extra bonus in their feed, but any other animal is a little more picky.

I used stuffers for years before I went to a TMR wagon and fence line bunks. I never had any issues if the corn was dry enough. If your ear corn is over 18% or so it will bridge. Dry corn 15% and lower always flowed well. I also never ground corn with a 1 1/2 screen. Your barely grinding it with that big screen. go down to and 1 or 3/4 screen and you will have better luck and your cattle will do better too. With the 1 1/2 screen your getting to many whole kernels through the finished feed.

That's a good point too. For how much the steers ate, and being a more mild winter compared to last year, they didn't gain weigh much more than last years at slaughter.

First change the screen size. If needed, add a "stirrer"...weld short rods on a pipe/rod, extend one end thru the stuffer, and put a handle on it for turning.