US Patent:
20010029897, Oct 18, 2001
Inventors:
DeAnna Swetzig - Greeley CO, US
International Classification:
A01K001/10
Abstract:
The Programmable Hay-Forage Feeder takes a whole bale, [round rectangular, square], (optionally two or more bales), of grass, alfalfa, or grass-alfalfa mix hay or forage and works similar to a hay baler in reverse. It will break apart and release small quantities of hay from the bale and automatically dispense the forage into a feed tub for a horse or animal to consume over time, based on a programmed schedule. The hay/forage is placed into the bale chute, which is raised by a winch. A motor and programmable controller control the activity of the forage being raked and released in the gravity fed bale chute into the feeder tub. The controller has a stop, start, pause, and reset function to enable the unit to stop when not in use. This allows for a new, mechanized, time-released method of feeding hay/forage to horses and animals giving a more natural feeding alternative.