Loading The Machine - Farm Aid 500 Owner's Manual

LOADING THE MACHINE:

 Empty mixer of any standing water in it by removing the clean out bung in the
end of the mixer. Raise the front of the machine so water will exit. Water can
soak the hay causing it to mix differently, possibly causing the machine to bind.
 Before starting the towing vehicle make sure the mixer is empty. Zero out the
scale.
Be sure that there are no tools lying on or in the mixer/feeder.
Beware of bystanders, animals and, particularly children!
Always look around to make sure that it is safe before starting the engine of the
towing vehicle. It is hard to hear people with the newer quiet cabs.
 Do not add side board extensions to the mixer.
 Mixer must be rotating while feed is added to the mixer.
 Do not overload the mixer! Mixer capacity can be reached by weight or volume.
The maximum weights are as follows:
o 340 model 7,000 Pounds
o 430 model 9,000 Pounds
o 500 model 10,500 Pounds
o 560 model 12,500 Pounds
o 680 model 15,500 Pounds
 Lower density commodities (hay/silage) decrease the capacity of the mixer. The
maximum height of feed in the mixer is one foot less than the top of the spiral.
Generally the highest point is above the discharge door. When overloaded,
certain high roughage rations may bunch up and "barrel roll" resulting in poor
mixing.
 Do not "Dump" commodities into the mixer, especially roughage. This can cause
the roughage to bind between the reel/spiral and the mixer wall. Wet or stringy
hay is more prone to this. It can damage the mixer. The belt should slip if the
machine starts to wedge. Do not tighten the main drive belt if this happens.
Instead remove the wedged roughage.
 Load feed starting with the lightest and then the heavier commodities. Example:
Ground hay, Silage, Distillers grains, then corn. Loading corn first may result in
the mixer "kicking" it in the air. Loading hay last may result in damage to mixer.
 However, when adding minute supplements or medication in non liquid form load
these first in the mixer.
 Damage to the mixer springs will occur if Liquid feed and Corn/Distillers grains
are put in the mixer before roughage.
 Load from the auger side of the mixer. Loading from the other side may result in
damage to the machine. The top of the spiral moves from the high side to the low
side. If the loader bucket touches the spiral/reel it is less likely to damage the
spiral/reel loading from the high side. It is more likely to damage the spiral/reel if
it comes in contact with the spiral/reel if loading from the low side.
 Loading on the high side will result in faster/better mixing. Feed that falls out
closer to the loader will get caught in the return auger and most feed will interact
FARM AID EQUIPMENT, INC. 40 EAST 1ST STREET, CORSICA, SD 57328
PHONE (605) 946-5479 FAX (605) 946 5899 www.farmaidequip.com