Farmweld's Guide to Proper Feeder Adjustment

ADJUSTMENT TIPS

At entry when feeders are cleaned and ready to fill:

1. Close agitator gate by turning both adjustment crank handles (at top of feeder) in a counter-clockwise direction..
2. Put fresh feed in bin.
3. Open agitator gate until a small amount of feed starts to flow by evenly turning both adjustment crank handles in a clockwise, direction. You'll see a thin ribbon of feed flowing from beneath the agitator.
4. Return adjustment crank handles to locked position.
5. Lightly shake feeder or feed gate until feed is disbursed.One third or less of the trough or pan surface should be covered with feed. Make sure to account for all feed in pan.

Daily:

Click to magnify

1. Monitor feeder adjustment according to the photograph at right.
2. If a feeder's agitation gate appears to be plugged, clean corners of feed pan and beneath the agitator and observe again one day later. If plugged again, clean and turn each adjustment crank handle 1/2 rotation in clockwise direction. Continue to observe daily.
3. If too much feed appears to be remaining in pan (based on photo), turn each adjustment crank handle 1/2 rotation in counter-clockwise direction. Observe again one day later. If needed, continue to turn adjustment crank handles 1/2 rotation daily until feeder is properly adjusted.

The Farmweld Nursery Feeder allows you to fine-tune the adjustment of the agitator. For every 1/2 rotation on the adjustment crank handles at the top of the feeder, the agitator will move by 1/32 of an inch. Smaller changes result in more accurate feeder adjustment; however, more rotations will be necessary if the feeder is way set of adjustment.

The written guidelines were developed in part by Dr Mike Tokach and Dr Steve Dritz, Kansas State University 1999.