Hay Feeder Vertical Bale Lifting and Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling and feeding large square hay bales weighing around 700-800 pounds requires equipment and results in significant waste, as existing solutions do not allow for efficient single-person operation without substantial equipment or waste reduction.
Innovation Solution
A hay feeder with an elongated chute and pivoting side members that can lift and support large square bales vertically, featuring a grate with inwardly inclined bars to minimize waste by requiring livestock to work harder to access the hay, and cover members to control access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If large square bales are left uncovered in the field like round bales, then labor costs are reduced, but hay waste increases significantly (10 percent or more of total dry matter)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal ground storage to vertical elevated storage by raising the bale off the ground on support legs. This dimensional change prevents weathering and deterioration while maintaining the benefit of uncovered storage, thereby reducing hay waste without increasing labor costs.
2Ease of operation
If equipment is used to lift and manipulate large square bales, then handling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder design allows the bale to serve its own lifting function. By positioning the bale vertically within the chute and using the bale's own weight and structure, the system eliminates the need for external lifting equipment, thereby improving handling capability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs and chute positioning create a stable vertical orientation that utilizes gravity and the bale's center of gravity to maintain equilibrium. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical lifting systems by achieving a self-balancing configuration.
3Ease of operation
If livestock have free access to the bale, then feeding convenience is improved, but hay waste increases as animals pull out large chunks
Solution Approach 1:
The grate structure creates localized access points for livestock at the lower end of the chute. By controlling where and how animals access the hay (through the grate openings rather than free access to the entire bale), the system maintains feeding convenience while preventing wasteful removal of large chunks.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical orientation of the bale in the chute, combined with the grate structure, transforms the feeding geometry. Animals access hay from the lower end through controlled openings rather than pulling from the side, which changes the mechanics of hay removal and reduces waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient loading and feeding of large square bales by one person, reducing waste by forcing livestock to pull out hay flakes rather than large chunks, and allowing for vertical support to minimize ground waste and deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
one of the side members can be pivoted downwardly to a substantially horizontal position and the elongated hay bale positioned on it. The side member can then be raised back to its vertical position to lift the hay bale with it to a vertical position within the elongated chute.
Implementation Method 2
The chute and bale have respective upper and lower end sections and the chute has openings at its lower end section to provide access through them to the lower end section of the hay bale. Cover members are also provided to selectively cover and uncover the openings to selectively permit and prevent access through them by the livestock.
Data Source
AI summary
A hay feeder for large square bales (e.g., 3′×3′×8′ ones weighting on the order of 700-800 pounds). The feeder is designed to be operable by one person to load the bale into the feeder and includes an elongated chute with four, vertical side members. In use, one of the side members can be pivoted downwardly to a substantially horizontal position and the elongated hay bale positioned on it. Thereafter, it can be raised back to its vertical position to lift the hay bale with it to a vertical position within the elongated chute. The chute and bale have respective upper and lower end sections and the chute has openings at its lower end section to provide access through them to the lower end section of the hay bale. Cover members are provided to selectively cover and uncover the openings to selectively permit and prevent access through them by the livestock.