Custom-Built Conveyor Is Powerful, Yet Simple
Ben Graber needed a portable, trouble-free conveyor to handle chicken litter fast. So he built a 40-ft. long, 30-in. wide belt conveyor that has lasted for 15 years. Graber says the rollers have never been replaced, yet they are hardly worn. It tows easily from farm to farm.
“I haul out about 17 to 18 semi-loads of poultry manure 4 times a year,” says Graber. “That’s a lot of material, and it is pretty harsh stuff. The fewer moving parts you have, the better. This one has no chains and only 6 bearings.”
It also has lots of speed. Powered by a 35 hp Vanguard engine, it can load an 18-wheeler in 12 to 15 min. “I can’t keep up with it working with a 90 hp skid steer that has a 1,500-lb. capacity bucket,” says Graber.
He credits the longevity of the conveyor and much of the speed to using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene for the rollers on the belt. How the belt tracks is also important as is designing the hopper so manure can’t get under the belt.
Having plenty of power lets Graber drive the stirrator in the hopper and the belt with variable speed motors for greater control. He also installed a hydraulic lift in place of the prior model’s hand crank lift.
“I’ve made 6 for other people, and so far I’ve had zero negative feedback,” he says. “One guy bought one for haylage. All he had to do was take the stirrator out, and he liked it fine. It will handle anything that moves on a belt without sliding.”
Graber is still making the conveyors. He prices them at $26,500.
“I wouldn’t sell mine for anything,” he says. “When I’m cleaning barns, I don’t like to have to work on the equipment too. My conveyor is as trouble-free as you will find.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ben Graber, 2822 N 1000 E, Loogootee, Ind. 47553 (ph 812 709-1470; b.graber@emypeople.net).
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Custom-Built Conveyor Is Powerful Yet Simple Ben Graber needed a portable trouble-free conveyor to handle chicken litter fast So he built a 40-ft long 30-in wide belt conveyor that has lasted for 15 years Graber says the rollers have never been replaced yet they are hardly worn It tows easily from farm to farm “I haul out about 17 to 18 semi-loads of poultry manure 4 times a year ” says Graber “That’s a lot of material and it is pretty harsh stuff The fewer moving parts you have the better This one has no chains and only 6 bearings ” It also has lots of speed Powered by a 35 hp Vanguard engine it can load an 18-wheeler in 12 to 15 min “I can’t keep up with it working with a 90 hp skid steer that has a 1 500-lb capacity bucket ” says Graber He credits the longevity of the conveyor and much of the speed to using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene for the rollers on the belt How the belt tracks is also important as is designing the hopper so manure can’t get under the belt Having plenty of power lets Graber drive the stirrator in the hopper and the belt with variable speed motors for greater control He also installed a hydraulic lift in place of the prior model’s hand crank lift “I’ve made 6 for other people and so far I’ve had zero negative feedback ” he says “One guy bought one for haylage All he had to do was take the stirrator out and he liked it fine It will handle anything that moves on a belt without sliding ” Graber is still making the conveyors He prices them at $26 500 “I wouldn’t sell mine for anything ” he says “When I’m cleaning barns I don’t like to have to work on the equipment too My conveyor is as trouble-free as you will find ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ben Graber 2822 N 1000 E Loogootee Ind 47553 ph 812 709-1470; b graber@emypeople net
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