Winch up feeders?

[BW96]

I'm thinking about building a winch up feeder. But I'm not sure if a boat winch will raise 300lbs of corn effectively. I know a lot of folks use them, but I'm just looking for input and maybe some ideas!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[Graysonhogs]

It will.

[Eastwood]

We pick up 500 pounds plus the barrel weight with no issues. We are gravitating toward stand and fills though.

[Capt Glenn]

Make sure you get the right kind of boat winch. You want one with a brake.

I'll never own another winch up feeder. I've had a couple close calls with them. Stand and fills are so much easier and safer.

[BW96]

Make sure you get the right kind of boat winch. You want one with a brake.

I'll never own another winch up feeder. I've had a couple close calls with them. Stand and fills are so much easier and safer.

I guess I should have clarified. I have cows on the property. They done fool with the corn now, but my feeder is 7.5 ft tall to the timer. So I worry they would destroy a stand a fill.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[deerplanter]

I've built lots of them and yes a boat winch works just fine, with either a brake or not. I prefer one without the break but that's just me.

[sqiggy]

I use the one you can get from Harbor Freight. They cost about $23 & are 1200lb. cap. Put a double pulley system on it and it will be much easier to crank up.

[mikerosa]

I hang my feeders stationary with a chain. However plenty of the guys use the pulley / cable/ winch method. Simple boat trailer will lift a 55 gallon drum full of corn easily.

Guys I know have hooked up their screw guns to the winch to raise and lower them. No hand cranking !

New guy on the lease just bought 4 small 12 volt winches from Harbor Freight. A regular hand crank winch is like $25. For $55 on sale, he bought 4 twelve volt ATV smallish winches.

He attached his pulleys and cables. Using jumper cables he jumps the winch to work up and down. He’s been taking a 12 volt battery with him on his Atv to do the deal. I’m sure you could use the Atv battery but it might hurt things ? His system, has got me thinking !

I have two feeders because of their locales in wet flooded areas cause them to clog on account of water vapour lifting up into the funnel turning back to wetness and spoiling the corn.

I have to disconnect these stationary feeders and it’s an ordeal. With a winch, it’s now a cinch !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ATI]

I'm thinking about building a winch up feeder. But I'm not sure if a boat winch will raise 300lbs of corn effectively. I know a lot of folks use them, but I'm just looking for input and maybe some ideas!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. Yes it will with ease.

I wish we were closer, it would be fun to get together and build a few.

[dustoffer]

For sure get one with a brake, and you can double-pulley the cable to make it easier to raise, though it will take twice as many turns.

Also, if you don't have a winch w/brake and it slips out of your hand, don't try to grab it to stop the fall

[bowhntrmatt]

Another vote for stand and fill. But if you must, make sure you get the winch with the brake and longer handle, and preferably double pulley. Over-do your cable size and connections, and dont ever stand under it or try to stop it if it falls.

We have a whole lease full of winch-ups and I hate them. Been slowly replacing with stand and fills as needed.

[Bayouboy]

I use the one you can get from Harbor Freight. They cost about $23 & are 1200lb. cap. Put a double pulley system on it and it will be much easier to crank up.

I had one built recently and it has the HF winch. Good winch and cable.

[ATI]

Speaking of....
What size and gauge pipe or square tubing is best to use to not make it super heavy and still strong enough. I also need a size that will fit into the next size up for the cap on top for the legs to slip into and be held in place. Also the cable needs a wheel to slide/roll on, correct?

Any pics / diagrams / advice would be appreciate it.

[Burnadell]

Make sure you get the right kind of boat winch. You want one with a brake.

I'll never own another winch up feeder. I've had a couple close calls with them. Stand and fills are so much easier and safer.

This^^^

[MisterB]

Put a pen around your tripod feeder. We had a couple of cows learn how to shoulder the legs and turn the feeder over. One cow sees another do it and the others do it too. Make sure the lid of your feeder is attached good. They will gorge themselves. The one on that particular lease died. At the time cows cost $600. Don’t ask me how I know.