Feed Mixer Wagon with a Discharge Conveyor – When Is It Worth Choosing?
Feed Mixer Wagon with a Discharge Conveyor – When Is It Worth Choosing?
A feed mixer wagon with a discharge conveyor provides greater control over where the prepared TMR ration is placed and makes it easier to adapt feed distribution to the layout of a particular livestock building. This solution can significantly simplify daily feeding, especially in buildings with narrow feed passages, unusually positioned feed tables or limited manoeuvring space.
However, a discharge conveyor is not essential on every farm. In many buildings, a standard gravity discharge opening and chute are fully sufficient for efficient feed distribution. The decision should therefore be based primarily on the dimensions of the building, the position of the feed table and the required discharge direction.
When does a discharge conveyor provide a real advantage? What is the difference between a cross conveyor and a longitudinal conveyor, and what information should be prepared before ordering a feed mixer wagon?
How does a discharge conveyor work on a feed mixer wagon?
Once mixing is complete, the prepared TMR ration passes through the discharge opening onto the conveyor. The hydraulically driven belt moves the feed in the required direction and places it on the feed table.
With a standard gravity discharge, the feed passes directly through the open discharge door, onto a chute and then falls next to the wagon. This is a simple and effective solution, but the exact position of the TMR depends mainly on the location of the discharge opening and the distance between the machine and the feed table.
A discharge conveyor can move the feed further away from the opening and direct it more precisely to the required location. It is particularly useful when the design of the building prevents the wagon from travelling sufficiently close to the feed table.
It is important to remember that a discharge conveyor does not directly improve mixing quality. The homogeneity of the ration depends primarily on the design of the mixing chamber, the mixing auger, knives, counter-knives and the correct loading sequence and mixing time. The conveyor is responsible for the efficient and controlled distribution of the prepared TMR.
Discharge conveyor or standard gravity discharge?
There is no single discharge system suitable for every farm. Both a standard gravity discharge and a conveyor have their own advantages.
| Standard gravity discharge | Discharge conveyor |
|---|---|
| Simple design | Greater control over feed placement |
| Lower purchase price | Ability to move TMR further away from the discharge opening |
| Fewer components requiring maintenance | Easier adjustment of the discharge direction |
| Suitable for wide, easily accessible feed tables | Useful in narrow or unusually designed buildings |
| Feed is discharged directly beside the machine | More precise placement of TMR on the feed table |
A standard gravity discharge is a good choice when the wagon can travel close to the feed table and the ration falls directly into the required location. A discharge conveyor becomes more useful when there is a greater distance between the machine and the feeding area or when the feed must be directed to a different side.
A conveyor should therefore not automatically be considered better than a gravity discharge. It is an additional system designed to solve a specific feed-distribution problem.
Cross and longitudinal discharge conveyors – what is the difference?
Different conveyor systems can be used depending on the design of the feed mixer wagon and the layout of the farm buildings. The two main solutions are cross conveyors and longitudinal conveyors.
Cross conveyor on a feed mixer wagon
A cross conveyor is positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel. Its purpose is to move the TMR sideways—to the right or left of the machine, depending on the selected direction of belt operation.
This solution is particularly useful when:
- one wagon is used in several different feed passages,
- feed must be distributed on both sides of the passage,
- the feed table is located some distance away from the machine’s wheels,
- a standard discharge opening cannot be positioned in the required location,
- the building layout requires the discharge direction to be changed.
ZAMET feed mixer wagons can be equipped with a PVC cross conveyor measuring 700 × 2100 mm. Availability and installation options depend on the selected feed mixer family and its individual configuration.
Longitudinal conveyor on a feed mixer wagon
A longitudinal conveyor operates along the axis of the machine. Depending on the position of the discharge opening and the selected configuration, it can move the feed towards the front or rear of the wagon.
It can be useful when the TMR must be moved away from the standard discharge position or when the building layout makes a cross conveyor unsuitable.
The dimensions and position of a longitudinal conveyor should always be selected for the specific feed mixer model. Before ordering, it is necessary to determine where the feed table is located, which route the machine will follow and exactly where the feed should be placed.
When is it worth choosing a feed mixer wagon with a discharge conveyor?
1. The feed table is located further away from the edge of the passage
In some buildings, a wide kerb, raised section or another structural element separates the passage from the actual feeding area. A standard gravity discharge may then leave the TMR too close to the wagon.
A discharge conveyor moves the feed further away and places it closer to the area from which the animals can comfortably reach it.
2. The wagon cannot travel close to the feed table
Columns, walls, barriers, gates or differences in floor height may prevent the wagon from travelling close to the feed table. The width of the wagon and the position of its wheels must also be considered.
If the machine has to maintain a greater distance from the feeding area, a conveyor can compensate for this gap and help place the TMR correctly.
3. Feed must be discharged to the right and left
In buildings with several feed passages or feed tables located on both sides of the wagon, the ability to reverse the operating direction of a cross conveyor makes the machine more versatile.
The operator does not have to position the wagon in exactly the same way every time. A properly selected discharge system allows the direction of feed distribution to be adapted to the current working location.
4. The feed passage is narrow
In a narrow building, every additional manoeuvre takes time and increases the risk of hitting walls, barriers or other structural elements. If the wagon can only follow one specific line through the passage, a discharge conveyor can direct the feed to the correct location without requiring the machine to travel closer to the wall or feed table.
However, the overall width of the machine with the conveyor installed must be checked—not only the width of the standard wagon.
5. The farm has buildings with different layouts
One feed mixer wagon is often used to serve several groups of animals located in different buildings. A standard gravity discharge may be sufficient in one building, while a discharge conveyor may be required in another.
In this situation, it can be worth combining several discharge solutions in one machine. The final configuration should take into account every location in which the wagon will operate.
6. More controlled TMR placement is required
A discharge conveyor helps the operator maintain a consistent route and distribute the ration more predictably. The travel speed, degree of discharge-door opening and conveyor operation can be adjusted to the amount of TMR required by a particular group of animals.
However, distribution accuracy still depends on the operator’s experience, correct discharge-door operation and maintaining a steady driving speed.
When might a discharge conveyor be unnecessary?
An additional conveyor will not always provide benefits proportional to its purchase price. A standard gravity discharge may be sufficient when:
- the feed table is wide and easily accessible,
- the wagon can travel close to the feeding area,
- TMR is always discharged on the same side,
- the discharge opening can be positioned exactly where required,
- the building provides plenty of manoeuvring space,
- the farm prefers the simplest possible design with fewer hydraulic components.
A simpler system also means fewer components requiring cleaning, inspection and periodic maintenance. The decision should therefore not be based solely on the length of the optional-equipment list.
What should be considered when choosing a discharge conveyor?
Building layout
The actual dimensions of the building are the most important factor. The following should be measured:
- width of the feed passage,
- width and height of the feed table,
- distance between the passage and the intended TMR placement area,
- width of doors and access routes,
- location of columns, barriers and other obstacles,
- space available for turning the tractor and wagon.
Measurements should be taken at several points. Older buildings do not always have the same passage width along their entire length.
Required discharge direction
Before ordering, it should be established whether the feed will be discharged:
- only to the right,
- only to the left,
- alternately to the right and left,
- towards the front or rear of the machine.
This information determines the type of conveyor and the location of the discharge openings.
Type of ration being prepared
The structure of the TMR affects how it leaves the mixing chamber and spreads across the belt. A short, moist ration behaves differently from a mixture containing a larger proportion of long, dry material.
The discharge system should therefore be adapted not only to the building but also to the ingredients most frequently used on the farm.
Hydraulic requirements
The conveyor is an additional hydraulically driven component. Before selecting a configuration, the tractor’s hydraulic capacity, the number of available hydraulic connections and the method of controlling the wagon’s individual functions should be checked.
If the machine has several hydraulically operated components, a suitable electric hydraulic valve block can make them easier to operate from the tractor cab.
Overall machine dimensions
A conveyor may increase the overall length or width of the feed mixer wagon. This is important when working inside buildings, passing through doors, turning and travelling on public roads.
It is therefore not enough to check the dimensions of the standard wagon. The complete dimensions of the machine with all selected equipment installed must be considered.
Cleaning and maintenance
Any remaining TMR should be removed from the conveyor after work. The belt surface, rollers, drive components, hydraulic connections and correct belt tension should also be inspected regularly.
Feed should not be allowed to accumulate underneath the conveyor or around its moving parts. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of premature wear and makes it easier to identify potential damage.
ZAMET feed mixer wagons with discharge conveyors
ZAMET feed mixer wagons can be configured according to the size of the farm, the type of ration being prepared and the conditions inside individual livestock buildings.
Depending on the model, the available solutions can include:
- a PVC cross discharge conveyor,
- a PVC longitudinal discharge conveyor,
- additional gravity discharge openings,
- different discharge-opening positions,
- discharge chutes,
- electric hydraulic valve blocks,
- additional equipment supporting convenient TMR discharge and machine operation.
These configuration options are available across the FIDER-i MINI, FIDER-i EKO, FIDER-i MAXI, FIDER-i 2S EKO and FIDER-i 2S MAXI families. The exact range of solutions depends on the selected model, capacity and machine design.
Installing the maximum possible number of discharge openings and conveyors is not always the best solution. The aim is to configure a machine that can efficiently serve every group of animals while remaining simple and convenient to operate every day.
How do you select the right discharge system for your farm?
Before selecting a feed mixer wagon, it is worth preparing a simple plan of the livestock building showing:
- width of the feed passage,
- position of the feed table,
- direction in which the tractor will travel,
- required discharge side,
- width of doors and access routes,
- obstacles that restrict manoeuvring,
- space available for turning.
Photographs and a short video showing the route that the feed mixer wagon will follow can also be helpful. Based on this information, it is possible to determine whether a standard gravity discharge will be sufficient or whether a cross conveyor, longitudinal conveyor or a combination of several discharge methods would be more suitable.
Each ZAMET feed mixer wagon can be prepared with the conditions of a particular farm in mind. The position of the discharge openings and optional equipment should be discussed before placing the order, as changing the discharge arrangement later may be considerably more difficult than configuring the new machine correctly during production.
A feed mixer wagon with a discharge conveyor is particularly useful when a standard gravity discharge cannot place the TMR precisely on the feed table. A conveyor can simplify work in narrow feed passages, allow feed to be delivered in different directions and compensate for a greater distance between the machine and the animals’ feeding area.
However, it will not be necessary on every farm. If the feed table is easily accessible and the gravity discharge is positioned correctly, a simpler system may be entirely sufficient.
The most important consideration is to adapt the discharge system to the actual dimensions of the building, the direction of travel and the organisation of the feeding process. Before selecting a conveyor, it is therefore worth sending the manufacturer a plan, photographs and the basic dimensions of the building.
Are you looking for a feed mixer wagon adapted to your livestock building? Contact ZAMET and send us the dimensions of your feed passage and feed table. We will help you select the right model, capacity and discharge system.
Frequently asked questions
Can a discharge conveyor deliver feed to both the right and left?
A cross conveyor can transport feed to the right or left, depending on its direction of operation and the selected machine configuration. This is particularly useful when one wagon is used in several feed passages or where feed tables are located on different sides of the passage.
What is the difference between a cross conveyor and a longitudinal conveyor?
A cross conveyor moves the feed perpendicular to the direction of travel, usually to the right or left. A longitudinal conveyor moves the TMR along the axis of the machine. The correct choice depends on the location of the discharge opening and the layout of the building.
Is a discharge conveyor suitable for a narrow feed passage?
Yes, provided that it allows the feed to be placed correctly without requiring the wagon to travel closer to the feed table or make additional manoeuvres. However, the total width of the machine with the conveyor installed must be considered.
Is a discharge conveyor better than a gravity discharge?
Not always. A conveyor provides greater control over the direction and position of feed discharge, but a standard gravity discharge is simpler and may be fully sufficient in a properly designed feed passage.
Can a feed mixer wagon have several discharge openings?
Yes. The number and position of the discharge openings can be selected according to the model and working conditions. However, additional openings should not be installed without a specific purpose—each one should serve a clearly defined function.
What information is needed to select the right discharge conveyor?
The most important information includes the width of the feed passage, the position and height of the feed table, the distance between the passage and the feeding area, the required discharge direction, the dimensions of doors and access routes, and any obstacles inside the building.
