With winter feeding and the housing of livestock fast approaching, it’s time for farmers to pull out the diet feeders, shear grabs, bale handlers and all other feeding equipment once again.

On many farms, feeding is done by means of a loader or loading shovel but there are many other products on the market today, making a never-ending job somewhat easier. We’re a country of farmers who feed a lot of round bales, from small suckler farmers right up to the dairy farmers with large operations.

Bales have both benefits and negatives – whether it is “taking out” strong paddocks or as a backup when grazing gets tight, every farmer has made round bales at some point.

In the first part of this article, we look at some of the bale shears available on the market, while on p13 we look at unrollers/unwinders. Bale shears, as loader attachments, are seen as labour-saving devices for the thousands of farmers who are feeding round bale silage across the country. These implements, with their plastic and net retaining devices, are increasing in numbers on livestock farms. Manually stripping the wrapped bale of its plastic and net usually requires a number of stages. Net and plastic-retaining bale shears eliminate this, saving time.

The main advantage is the easier feeding out due to bales being halved. Also, when used in conjunction with a diet feeder, it promotes easier mixing and chopping. However, the main benefit is being able to feed animals without having to leave the tractor cab. The disadvantage is that the bale needs to be forked out to the animals and a tractor fitted with a front loader with good hydraulic output is required.

Here are just some of the bale shears available on the market today.

Tanco I73

The Tanco I73 bale shear is popular when it comes to bale handling. Its design is very smart in that its weight is kept to a minimum while handling what are usually very heavy silage bales. The bale shear’s hydraulic rams and pivot are conveniently located, allowing for the splitting of round bales up to 1.5m while retaining plastic and net. The l73 weighs 450kg. The clever design and strength of Tanco’s bale shear allows for it to be one of the most popular on the market, priced at €3,800 including VAT. See www.itanco.com.

Sonarol

The Polish company Sonarol, not a commonly heard name in Irish agriculture, had a very impressive bale shear on display at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. The design is somewhat similar to what Tanco has on offer, with the hydraulic rams pulling the shear bar down through the bale as opposed to pushing it. This is a very effective design with the rams not exposed, all coming in at a weight of 440kg. The Sonarol bale is priced at €2,850 including VAT. See www.gordonagrisales.com.

Keltec Engineering

The bale shear on offer from Keltec Engineering, based in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, works on a different principle to any of the other options available. This concept cuts the bale from the bottom upwards, meaning the bale does not fall on the plastic when split. The plastic is forced into the plastic film gripper at the top ensuring a strong hold every time. The Keltec Engineering shear has a total weight of 480kg and is priced at €3,950 including VAT. See www.keltec.ie.

CAshels Engineering

Cashels Engineering, located in Co Mayo, also offers a bale shear, with its cutting concept based on the traditional shear grab design. A uniquely shaped cutter bar and film catcher ensures that it functions properly every time, with any bale shape or density. The bale shear is capable of handling bales up 1.4m in diameter, weighing in at 400kg. It costs €3,300 including VAT. See www.cashels.net.

Another type of feeding equipment increasing in popularity are bale unrollers/unwinders. These work on the principle of rotating a chain upon which the bale sits via a hydraulic motor. The spikes on the crossbars grab the layers of silage rolled up by the baler and feed it out. A number of companies have their own approach to this. Here, we outline what a number of companies have to offer.

Hustler SL300X

New Zealand company Hustler manufactures the SL300X bale feeder, which is available through its Irish agent, Johnston Farm Equipment, in Co Longford (www.johnston.ie). The Hustler bale feeder is designed to handle either round or square bales of silage, hay, haylage or straw. It can be operated on three-point linkage or on a front loader.

The SL300X is the manufacturer’s latest model for this season and is based on its tried-and-tested predecessor, the SL350, with some added features giving the operator increased comfort and productivity.

The machine is made up of two parts like its predecessor, the headstock and the cradle.

The key point is that the bale can be loaded without having to detach the machine from the three-point linkage or loader. When it comes to loading bales, the operator simply pulls a cord to unlatch the headstock and spikes from the cradle part, loading a bale on to the cradle, then returning the spikes into their slots under the cradle.

The dog clutch automatically reconnects with the headstock allowing feeding to recommence. Lining up the spikes is easier as one tine is shorter than the other. Four bearings require infrequent greasing and this is the only maintenance required by the machine. It is priced at €5,800 including VAT.

Bridgeway Diamond bale feeder

Bridgeway Engineering from Co Offaly offers the Diamond bale feeder, which features a galvanised body and chain. It is built on the same principle as the others, having the bale spike integrated into the cradle.

Hydraulic side shift and a weigh cell is an optional extra offered by Bridgeway. The side shift feature allows the operator to move the feeder out 25cm (12in), allowing for feeding closer to the barrier where tractors may have wide tyres. Feeding out either side of the machine is possible aided by a rubber flap and roller to prevent loose material from falling off.

If feeding into a trough is necessary, a hydraulic controlled arm can be fitted to allow for this. The feeder comes as standard with three-point linkage while loader brackets can be fitted. Prices start from €5,800 including VAT. See www.bridgewayengineering.com.

Blaney Agri Solutions bale feeders

Blaney Agri Solutions, based in Co Antrim, has a range of bale feeders available. Its design, much like the other brands, offers an integrated bale spike to load bales into the cradle, before recoupling for fast, efficient feeding. The X6 offers a galvanised chain and a painted chassis. The X10 model, comes fully galvanised as well as having the option of an extension wing allowing silage to be dispensed further away. All models have the ability to dispense feed from both sides, with an optional extra of added side bars.

The X6 is marketed to be a cheaper more affordable feeder and the X10 a heavy-duty product. Telehandler brackets of choice can also be fitted where required. Prices starting at €5,688 including VAT

This is just a small number of the brands that offer bale feeders. Other brands include IEP, Nugent and Gerety Farm Machinery to mention just a few. See www.blaneyagri.com.