with the self-propelled mixers loading arm and its chopper.
This type of machine has excellent
loading accuracy, which translates
into better feed quality, consistency of mix and less wastage
(approximately 2 to 5%), as the
loading arm does not mess during
the loading process. In addition, it
reduces labour cost as the selfpropelled machine works fewer
hours to feed the same number of
cows. This translates into reduced
fuel cost in comparison to the tractor and loader combination but
also because of better efficiency of
mixing and reduced mixing time.
This is a one-man operation and
Willem himself operated the mixer
for the first few weeks and easily
fed their 1 000 milk cows three
times per day. The Megamix 21 W
has a 21 m³ capacity and can easily
load, mix and deliver up to
9 000 kg of feed, be it high roughage or high concentrate mixes.
Reduced silage wastages
As their silage clamp is too far
from the dairy for direct usage,
they are unable to benefit from the
reduced silage spoilage as yet, but
have changes planned to do so in
the foreseeable future. Danie Louw
of Eensgezind Farm, near Klipheuwel in the Western Cape, acknowledges that one of the reasons for
his purchase of a Megamix 21 W is
because of its reduced silage spoilage and wastage. This is a major
plus as most farmers using silage
aim to reduce wastage.
A clean face remains when silage is
cut and very little spoilage can take
place in the bunker. Wastage is
also reduced by monitoring the
weight of silage in the chamber. As
soon as the required weight is noted, the cutting stops. Should there
be any extra feed on the belt the
belt direction will be reversed and
the surplus will be offloaded. With
experience this extra amount can
be reduced to zero. Similarly, feed
straw or lucerne can be loaded by
the rotor as it is pushed into a bale
with its strings removed, and any
needed concentrates can be sucked
directly from the floor. “There is no
reason to climb out of the feeder
cab from start to finish,” Willem
says. “As the ingredients are loaded, the auger turns to create the
traditional ‘volcano’ action, its
blades reducing material size down
to the required lengths easily and
quickly.” As a result of the use of
the Megamix 21 W, Uilenkraal has
seen improved rumen function and
a far more consistent daily milk
production and fat and protein
levels.
How it works
The 208 hp Deutz motor provides
hydrostatic drive for the all the
feeder’s systems. Servicing is provided by the local Deutz dealer
who received extensive on-site
training. In front of the engine bay
is the 21 m³ oval-shaped mixing
chamber with its single vertical
auger. The most notable detail
here is the thickness of the metal
floor, which has to be strong
enough to support the action of
the augur as it spins during its mixing cycle. Directly ahead of the
mixing chamber is the feed-out
cross conveyer, fed from an outlet
in the front of the chamber. A guillotine door is raised hydraulically to
allow the mixed feed to exit onto
the conveyor and out on either side
of the machine. A tilting conveyor
is placed on the left hand side of
the conveyor for trough feeding
and the right hand side feeds onto
the ground in the dairy sheds. A
magnet is placed so as to catch any
metal object.
The cabin has sufficient space for
one person and a good view of
proceedings. The main control
stick, located over the right of the
driver’s seat, is for the operation of
the loader unit, with a large screen
to display ration component
weights, plus a screen connected
up to a rear-mounted camera. Vehicle speed is controlled by a single
pedal. As the engine is rear mounted noise levels are of no consequence.
Moving forward from the cab resides the key part of the mixer and
the piece of equipment that sets it
aside from a trailed mixer wagon.
The loader arm has at a 1, 5 m
wide rotor on which knife blade
sections are bolted at intervals and
angled to draw material into the
centre. A belt drive propels it into
the mixing chamber when loading
silage from a clamp face the rotor’s
hood is lifted clear and the loading
arm, with its internal conveyor, is
raised to the top of the silage
clamp. The hydraulically powered
rotor is fired up and the arm slowly
lowered down the face of the
clamp, the rotor taking about a
20 cm “bite”. The cut silage is conveyed up the wagon’s elevator and
then into the mixing chamber.
Conclusion
This triumph in technological advancement of feeding systems is a
feat not easily ignored. Farmers are
often bombarded with new innovative products aimed at improving
profitability and long term success.
These machines are usually extremely costly and require a rather
large capital investment. This deters many farmers as they are often
unable to justify the money spent
against the results of the product.
In the case of self-propelled feeding machines, the results seem to
speak for themselves. This innovation will probably become the
norm and not the exception as the
successes and benefits are tangible
and could dramatically improve the
efficiency of a farmer’s operation.