With the introduction of the big fertiliser bag, lots of farmers have been looking for ways to improve handling because they find the big bags difficult and awkward to use. Some farmers have made special frames that the bag can sit on, which works well. Another option that might make fertiliser handling easier and requires less steel is a hanger fixed to an existing stanchion at the side of a shed.

Jim Garry from Ennis, Co Clare made a hanger on his farm that can hold two half-tonne bags of fertiliser and makes life easier when filling the fertiliser spreader. To make the hanger, he used a 4ft length of 6in channel iron. Two pieces of 90mm piping, 3.5ft long, were welded to the channel iron, 32in apart. To make the hanger stronger, 6in flat iron was welded on to the side of the channel iron and two holes allowed space for the two protruding pipes. This is bolted with four industrial-sized bolts to an existing stanchion 11ft off the ground. The stanchion is braced to the rear and set in 2ft of concrete. Jim says there is no fear of the hanger moving when the weight is applied.

The height allows plenty of clearance for the hanging fertiliser bags and the fertiliser spreader. For safety, a piece of flat iron was welded at the pipe ends to prevent bags from slipping off.

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Jim says that the hanger is safe and it is fitted to a strong new stanchion. The height is crucial to allow room for the hanging bag and the spreader. He got the hanger, which cost €190, made and fitted and supplied the length of channel iron himself.

When Jim has fertiliser to spread, he uses the front loader of the tractor to lift a bag on to the hook. He reverses the spreader underneath and cuts the bottom of the bag to release the contents.