$200 Double Your Money Winner!
Marc Crompton |
A homemade round bale unroller allows Marc Crompton to feed hay in a windrow, giving his cattle ample access to the hay. The attachment took 60 hours to build. Crompton is a fourth-generation rancher who raises black Angus cattle, yearlings and grass hay with his father, Jim.
Spinning Round Bale Feeder
Using raw materials, I fabricated a spinning round bale feeder. I built the main frame and chain guard but bought the hydraulic motor and cushioning valves, chain and sprockets. The stationary large round spear supports the bale while the three square spears attached to the spinning plate unroll the bale. The hydraulic hoses attach to the rear SCV ports to allow variable speed operation from inside the cab. I made a frame with three detachable/retractable legs that keep the attachment up and off the ground while in storage and also provide support when hitching to the tractor.
Fence In Your Tools
I got tired of shovels, rakes, pry bars, sledgehammers, axes, and weed whips hiding behind doors, propped up in corners and left on the floor. So I put together a storage rack using supplies from around the farm. I cut two hog panels to size and tack-welded them to a table frame made from angle iron. The handles easily slide between the spaces in the hog panel—and best of all, my tools are easy to find. Tim Geis Papillion, Neb.
Strap Unroller
Unrolling a long strap can be awkward. Using extra rebar we had sitting in a corner of the shop, we built a stand with a free-turning axle to make the job quick and easy. The axle connects to the stand via two nuts welded to the rebar. The stand, which we painted black, is mobile and nice to
use in the back of the pickup or utility vehicle. Allyn Plattner Morris, Minn.
You can join our $100 Ideas Club!
Share your unpublished ideas and join our $100 Ideas Club. The Double Your Money winner receives $200. Other farmers featured receive $100 each. All 2012 $100 Ideas winners are entered to win a free trip to the 2013 Miller Welding University and secondary prizes.
To submit your unpublished idea, which must include a description, photo or sketch, address and phone number, write to $100 Ideas, Farm Journal, P.O. Box 1188, Johnston, IA 50131-9421, e-mail $100-Ideas@farmjournal.com or fill out the entry form at www.farmjournal.com/enter_100_ideas. Winners receive a hat and a check. All published material becomes Farm Journal Media property.
