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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentElevators and Conveyors for Feed
Lifting feed or hay by hand wears people out. Elevators and conveyors move the weight for you, but they have moving parts that demand respect.
Key points
- Choose the machine for the feed type, height and volume you handle.
- Keep clear of power lines when raising an elevator.
- Never clear a jam while the machine is running.
- Keep guards on and loose clothing away from moving parts.
- Cover or shelter equipment to prevent rust and rodent damage.
What types of elevators and conveyors are there?
Bale elevators carry square bales up a sloped frame, often into a loft or onto a stack. Belt conveyors move bags, bales or loose feed along a flat or inclined run. Chain conveyors and bucket elevators move feed vertically. Augers also act as conveyors for bulk feed.
The choice depends on what you move, how high and how often.
A good first step is to measure. How high is the loft opening, how far is the stack, and how many bales do you move in a season? Those three answers tell you whether you need a long elevator, a short one or just a good pair of gloves.
Which one suits a small farm?
A 5-acre homestead stacking a few hundred small bales may only need a portable bale elevator that is set up for the season and stored away. A cattle operation moving bagged supplements may want a belt conveyor. A dairy or feedlot with bulk feed uses fixed conveyors and elevators.
Ask whether the machine is meant for your bale size, feed type and height.
- Bale elevator for lofts and stacks.
- Belt conveyor for bags and bales.
- Bucket elevator for bulk feed lifts.
- Auger for short bulk transfers.
How do you set up a bale elevator safely?
Set it on firm, level ground and anchor it as the manual directs. Raise and lower it slowly, and never move or raise it near power lines. Keep the feed end clear of people and animals.
If the elevator is powered by an electric motor, make sure the wiring and outlet are rated for the load and protected. Ask a licensed electrician if you are not sure.
Set up the elevator so that bales leave the top without needing a person to stand directly below. If you must catch bales at the top, use a second person at a safe stand and agree on stop signals before you start.
What hazards do feed conveyors have?
Belts, chains, sprockets and rollers create pinch and entanglement points. Keep every guard in place. Never reach in to clear a jam while the machine is running. Shut off and lock out the power first.
Loose clothing, long hair and jewelry catch easily. Keep children and visitors away. A stacked bale can slide or fall, so stand clear of the landing area.
A fire can start from dust, a hot motor or a slipping belt. Keep fire extinguishers close and clean up chaff around motors and bearings.
How do you keep elevators and conveyors dependable?
Check chain and belt tension according to the manual. Grease bearings and moving joints, and look at belts for cracks, fraying and wear. Clean out dust and chaff, which cause fires and slow the machine.
Stored outdoors, a conveyor rusts and its belt deteriorates. Cover it or move it into a shed, and keep rodents out of motors and wiring.
What problems should you watch for?
A belt that wanders to one side needs tracking. A chain that slaps or jumps is loose or worn. Motors that run hot or trip breakers point to overload or a failing bearing. Do not keep running a machine that is making unusual noise.
Heavy loads on a light machine shorten its life. Respect the rated capacity.
Document what you hear and see before you call for service. A short note about when a noise starts, what load it was under and how it behaves helps a mechanic.
When should you call for service?
Call a licensed electrician for any electrical repairs and the dealer or manufacturer for gearbox and structural work. Welding on the frame should be done by a qualified welder, because failure under load can drop a heavy bale on a person. Your insurance agent can tell you how stacking and loft work fits your coverage.
Keep the manual and a parts list in the shop so you can order the right belt, chain or bearing without guessing.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.