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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentFeed Mixer Wagons
A mixer wagon blends hay, grain, silage and supplements into a consistent ration and delivers it to the bunk. Whether one makes sense depends on herd size, ration complexity and how much labor you are trying to save.
Key points
- Pick a mixer based on your ration and herd size, not on style alone.
- Check the tractor requirements and hitch weight in the manual.
- Wear and tear shows first on knives, augers and floor plates.
- Never enter the tub or clear a jam without lockout and the engine off.
- Small herds often do better with simpler feeding equipment.
What does a feed mixer wagon do?
A mixer wagon holds several ingredients in a tub, chops and blends them with augers or paddles, and discharges the mix into a bunk or onto the ground. The goal is that every animal gets the same ration with each bite, instead of sorting out the grain and leaving the stems.
Some wagons are pulled behind a tractor and driven from the PTO. Others mount on a truck frame with their own drive. Small stationary mixers also exist for barns where the feed is brought to the machine.
What is the difference between vertical and horizontal mixers?
A vertical mixer uses one or more upright augers in a cone-shaped tub that lift material and tumble it. A horizontal mixer uses augers lying along the length of the tub. Each style has fans. Vertical designs are often compact and handle long-stem hay well, while horizontal designs tend to have a lower loading height and different mixing patterns.
Do not pick on style alone. Ask what rations you will actually run, how long the hay is, and whether your loader can reach the top of the tub.
- Long round-bale hay may need a model built to process it.
- Loading height matters if your loader or telehandler has limited reach.
- Compare how clean each design empties, since leftover feed spoils.
How do you size a mixer to your herd and tractor?
Think about the number of animals, how often you feed, and the batch size your ration needs. A machine that is far too large runs half-empty and mixes poorly, because most designs work best within a recommended fill range in the manual. One that is too small means extra trips.
Then check the tractor. Check your operator's manual for the PTO speed, minimum tractor power, hitch type and tongue weight for the wagon. A loaded mixer is heavy and can push a light tractor on a downhill or a wet slope.
What should you ask when buying a mixer wagon?
New or used, ask the same questions. Get on the ground and look at the tub floor, the augers and the knives, since these wear first. Ask how the scale system works, whether the indicator can be calibrated, and where the manual and parts diagrams are available.
- Are the knives, auger flighting and floor plates worn or patched?
- Is the driveline shield intact and does the shear or slip clutch work?
- How does the discharge door open and can it be locked closed?
- Does it have a scale, and has it been calibrated recently?
- Is the dealer or parts supplier nearby?
How do you feed safely from a mixer wagon?
Keep people out of the tub at all times. Never climb in while the PTO is engaged, and lock out the tractor before any entry for cleaning. Hands and tools do not belong near an auger. Stop, shut off and remove the key before you clear a jam.
When you drive, remember that a full wagon pushes on the tractor and can swing on corners. Use the tractor's ROPS with the seat belt fastened, drive slowly near bunks and gates, and keep children and visitors away from the feeding lane.
Is a mixer wagon worth it for a small operation?
For a handful of animals on pasture, probably not. A bale unroller, ring feeders or a simple loader approach does the job for far less money and upkeep. A mixer pays off when you feed a managed ration to a larger group, especially if supplements and byproducts need to be blended.
A neighbor sharing, a used machine from a nearby sale, or a custom feeding service can all be cheaper starting points. Talk to your extension nutritionist before you spend money, because the ration sets what equipment you need.
What mistakes do new mixer wagon owners make?
The most common one is overfilling. Every design has a fill range in the manual, and loading past it leaves dead spots where ingredients never blend. Another is loading in the wrong order, such as dumping fine grain on the floor before the long hay, which can pack against the augers. Ask your dealer or nutritionist for the loading sequence that suits your ration.
People also skip the scale check and trust an old reading for months. Calibrate on the schedule the manual gives, and write down what each load weighed so you can spot drift.
Sources and further reading
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
- Penn State Extension
- National Ag Safety Database (NASD)
- Farm Credit Administration
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.