Silo Unloader Issues

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Thank You!

[@rebeccastratton4114]

It's just so thoughtful how clean you keep your barns and how healthy your herd is. I've learned so much more than I thought I would just watching your posts. Especially about health care!

[@svfproductions9520]

Well it's the same Story on the Rohrer Dairy Farm as they keep their Dairy Clean always as Ashlyn says they keep a Clean Dairy as the milk goes on the kitchen table and as Bob Senior Aka Bob Rohrer says Everyone consumes milk

[@michaelc.3812]

Eric, don’t resist calling the installer and/or local rep for those unloaders as you JUST had them installed a few weeks ago. It’s great that you can troubleshoot all of these systems and be able to repair them, but this is a “Ringing Out” phase that really is heavily focused on the experts. You’re a good man to try and resolve this issue, but make the call and don’t be afraid to nudge them into making it THEIR issue/problem. Great video, as always.

[@Kraffty808]

The time lapse of the calf pen cleaning is very satisfying to my soul 😄

[@jazzerbyte]

Was glad to see the lockout switch on the silo unloader!

[@AnnArborBuck]

No kidding, that was making me super nervous. The installers should really put a lockout tagout on that pause button.

[@750masseyman]

We had to run a garden hose up the shute and cable tie it to the blow spout. It seems as long as it gets near the blower it works. Sometimes all we need is a couple water bottles in the blower. Really makes you try harder to get the moisture over 60% next time. Been there and done that. Good luck.

[@robynmorris2408]

Always a learning curve when things are new…hopefully works out all ok

[@nusbaumtanner]

1:33 the dust smiley in the door is great

[@PapaDan]

Good to see you keep a mallet handy for your electronics issues. 🤣 Greatest love to you and yours! Stay safe!

[@mikeyf704]

Thor mineral hammer!

[@MarkPowell-bz8em]

As a former dairy former there are some things I miss. Working on a silage unloader is not one of them for sure. Seem to break down during worst weather and always on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[@brianhembel567]

And the coldest most snowy day of the year

[@MorganOtt-ne1qj]

Been there, done that too. Left a Holiday dinner early once, to pitchfork silage to 100 cows, parts wouldn't be in for almost a week. Bags and piles reduced my stress!

[@farmingfishingfamilyontari2814]

I remember one Christmas the gathering chain broke. Later we used auger models but yup, thanksgiving and Christmas. There I was, up the silo alone fixing it whilst the rest of the family was having a Holly jolly

[@Dan-qy1rg]

I hope you can get the silo issue taken care of without too much problems. I hope your Dad has a good time off and away!

[@generybarczyk6993]

I appreciate the dedication required to produce these posts week in and week out. I always set them last in my queue because I find them so relaxing. Thanks, guy.

[@thomasperez4412]

Watching you work is motivational for me as I live on the 18th floor of my senior high rise . To do what? To just pick up after myself. At 71 yrs old my body has slowed down. But your such a impressionable young man. Thanks for great videos. Very glad your back on a regular basis. Take care and be safe. Saw your visit to Wisconsin Dairy. Nice tour. Tom in Minneapolis

[@j.s.1542]

We had issues for years just left a garden hose there and every other day would spray the feed down. Also when unloading new forage that is dryer would dump a 5 gallon pail of shell corn in blower. The corn would act like a sand paper on unloader blower and clean it up. Seen a video once a guy had a little auger to dribble a little corn in blower when unloading when filling. Gummy sucks!

[@dougdiplacido2406]

A am glad to see the safety switches on the unloader. I was at first kind of concerned when you just turned it off down at the source where someone could turn it back on. Hope the problem can be solved for good. Hope you had a good weekend.Great video and thanks.

[@burnleystarman2294]

Silo serendipity. At the top of a silo lies a wonderful place to relax. Things are really looking good.

[@karlherzog3979]

When I worked for my uncle he had a top unload alfalfa haylage silo. When he had gumming issues he had a garden hose hung threw the silo door with a spray nozzle on it. He would turn it on when he was running feed out. Worked great.

[@zombygrrrl9369]

17:58 Anyone laugh out loud at the cow on the right? Thank you for your vids Eric!

[@rk3739]

No, not really!

[@ryanwaege7251]

Super excited to see the process as you get it all dialed in. Guess you get to test the limit of how wet you can go with the triticale next year.

[@stephentreadwell8436]

Watching you load the heifers took me back to what the old man said. Only one thing dummer than a yearling ... that is two yearlings. Love to watch your videos

[@christophergood4594]

Eric, we have had good success with fasting a water hose to the unloader frame arm and running water in while the unloader is running at least once a day.

[@rocket8351]

Had crop of alfalfa some years ago that would gum up tbe unloader bad. Just ran the hose up and tied it to the door where it would never hit anything involving electricity. Run it for 1 minute before feeding was plenty and never had to make any special trips up the schute.

[@Dj-zz]

Really happy to see you to continue thinking safety Eric. Shutting the switch off at the silo unloader for extra fail safe is smart thinking. Continue to be safe.

[@montemiller3447]

It' nice to see the cows to remind us why you work so very hard to grow their food.

[@timstoffel]

We always kept a small sprayer up in the silo, whenever we went up to let it down or maintenance we would soak the blower and pipe to soften the gum.

[@stephenbutz2621]

Still working out the bugs 😢 but the future time savings will be well used for other projects😊

[@phyllishalley8972]

I know it's part of life cycle but it's still a little sad when you have to sell some cows😢 that's just the girl in me talking lol ....also it amazes me how you have the knowledge to fix everything.. you're quite the the guy!!!!God bless you all ❤️🙏🇺🇲

[@MalaininOiaissi]

I am one of your followers and I hope one day to do your job because I love this field very much. Thank you and good luck to you.

[@markvanhorne3276]

I know it's just you and your Dad...but even so, it might be worth doing a "Lock-Out; Tag-Out" procedure when you go into the silos to work on them to make sure nobody turns something on while you're working on it.

[@daveklein2826]

WOW, bet they never thought about that😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MorganOtt-ne1qj]

Just unplug it when you get to the door. 🤔😯🙄

[@markvanhorne3276]

​@@daveklein2826 I'm a little sensitive on this issue. A co-worker lost both arms past the elbow when he was inside a chip baling machine in a machine shop to do a repair. He did LOTO on the machine, but some jerk took a pair of boltcutters to the lock and threw the switch. All this stuff happens in a blink and it can have a bad ending.

[@SteveHorton-x5z]

That’s why their unloaders have manual shut off switches on the actual unloader.

[@davidholdridge2807]

you might try putting a hose fitting in the shroud away from the paddles and have the hose up and out of the way of the mechanical part, so you can do the water as needed from the ground while watching the camera. just a thought. I love your videos, keep up the good work.

[@lstone.09]

Awesome video Eric. You'll get the bugs worked out of it the more you use it. Glad to see it working as well as it is. 🚜🚜🚜

[@gregkoenig9200]

The problem with the unloader is paddles not set tight enough and not lowering fast enought for the volume of feed to keep the throat clean

[@mullermatts4357]

A sprinkler system that wets the surface over a large area + a frequency control for the fan motor could be the solution in the triticale silo.

[@michigantler5046]

nice to see when you move cattle no yellin, no whips, no prods, respect

[@tomgibson9291]

I would check to make sure nothing is binding or twisting in the unloader.

[@dingdongdaddytimanderson]

There is a product called slick plate. It is a dry graphite lubricant. Spray on, or paint on. Makes surfaces slippery. Material not as likely to stick. Know of no I'll effect to the feed. Used in gravity flow wagons, lawn mowers, etc. Could possibly help.

[@firstname6208]

need a teflon liner in that blower housing. look at commercial debris loaders (lawncare eq). they have different size blower housings depending on engine horsepower. scag or billy goat.

[@schsch2390]

Safety nannies might wonder about lack of a positive lockout for the unloader power when you are in the silo. Also wondered about water pressure needed at top of silo and surprised only 55-60psi needed.

[@daveevans7438]

Actually, i was commending him for taking the time to turn the local disconnect off. Code states, " Service disconnects must be lockable in the open position or located within sight of the person performing the work" So, he's good!

[@karencary3312]

Glad the new system is doing well. ❤❤❤❤

[@jasonmushersee]

I had that problem once gummy 4th cut alfalfa/red clover haylage plugged the unloader collector ring area for about 3 weeks kept the silo blower attached sent up 1 pail shelled corn each time i ran unloader

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Great video. Your girls are always so clean and.happy. awesome. Job.

[@Rsenior1981]

Could you run a water line up the silo and put a small nozzle to spray water into the unloader? Might only need like a 1/4" line and you can run it up the power wires, cant imagine you need much water. It could even be controlled by the automation system. If you're worried about freezing you could put a tiny weep hole to drain the line or pump air through it if the automation system supports it.

[@billcampbell2943]

Glad u got the unloader fixed.

[@francismayrand443]

The tricks for sticky silage is to adjust your blower paddle 3 different distance, 1 one cleaner super close that almost rub a little bit, une set up the pick a nickel leave a dime and the 3rd leave the nickel, when stuff build up the fan get stuck in the housing, that makes it so only one peddle get sticky and it keeps operating

[@ryaneick8864]

Maybe try steel braided hose like for washer machines on them waters

[@farmingfishingfamilyontari2814]

Also, I remember hearing about a neighbour who had a hose up his silo and would run it as he fed, in fact we did that too. One night he forgot to shut it off and it ran all night. He said it was the best thing he ever did. No more problems. The feed had a wet spot that cleaned out the unloader every revolution

[@jakerogers1861]

I was wondering if that would work! But I imagine the further down the water went the wider the wet spot.

[@jamesmilos9909]

Might try some spiral hydraulic hose protector on you water trough supply line.

[@ryaneick8864]

Poly liner in that unloader fan might help

[@randysutter3991]

Eric ..maybe u should consider just going to a bigger motor on the off load and that should eliminate those issues..

[@daveklein2826]

Or maybe not

[@MichaelHull-rq9fe]

Excellent video

[@paule5195]

Vel-Metal silo unloaders have vents on that fan hood to intake extra air for the blower, you could probably cut a hole for the garden hose. Ran silos for 20 years and never saw anything gum up like that on the blower. Don't miss climbing silos whatsoever, I hope you don't have to climb them at night because of that feed system.

[@WadeSmith19]

Hey Eric I know it may seem counter intuitive but you should try and adjust the paddles with a 1/4” gap instead of rubbing or almost rubbing. Theory is it doesn’t smear the feed into the housing which creates the gummy build up. Worth a try!

[@Marty1985class]

Take the cover off to the silo blower and weld on a hose fitting with a quick connection. Then you can connect and monitor safely.

[@farmingfishingfamilyontari2814]

Hot water gets rid of the gum quick. I use to take it up in calf bottles with the pail and rope. The nipple kept it from spilling and I could squirt it right into the blower housing. man that can be frustrating if it keeps happening. Good luck

[@chrisj7080]

Technology is great...when it works.

[@rayz5508]

You could install a VFD on that blower then control the speed from the control panel. Might make things easier.

[@Jack-r1r8y]

Erik. Just a suggestion. Make a sign to hang on your pause switch that says somebody working on unloaded. Do not push. Just another added security to be safe

[@daveklein2826]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@stevecollins1196]

Love the video much love and respect thanks for sharing ❤

[@joakrage3972]

I have shut the switch off up in the silo 4 times since I've gotten it 3 of those times i had to climb back up to turn it back on because I forgot 😂

[@Epitome63]

Lots of moving parts. And some tweaking. Always something to do for sure.

[@michaellow9539]

Hey eric, im a dairy farmer from lower Bavaria, Germany. We use 4layer hydraulik hoses for our throughs. They last much longer than water hoses und you dont have to protect them.

[@Jeremy-q2c]

I’m kinda curious if your higher amp draw and slower rate of feed coming out could be due to how hard packed the feed is down that far. The harder the auger has to eat it could make the feed more ground up and more susceptible to cake up in the fan shroud. Just kinda made me think about how you may of haven’t seen that issue yet since you haven’t had that tall of silos till now. I would be curious to see without the blower hooked up how many amps draw from just the auger running in that silo at that level verses the corn silage that’s not so packed down. Hope it helps and thanks for the video.

[@jeffdymarczyk4413]

Look at old one rubber paddles /Maybe metal or scrape paint off.

[@JimMiller-y9n]

Eric, putting a larger driven pulley reduces the speed of the fan.

[@irvenrathburn9421]

Hi Eric, looks like you are getting the bugs worked out.

[@richardarmida8151]

That silo blower muck is unusual. Once a month cleaning ain't bad? a few things to work out with the new system. Works pretty well so far...

[@steveneal2706]

Great video. Thank you guys

[@MichaelHolloway]

water feed lines 3/4" armored hose. Home Depot: "3/4 in. FIP x 3/4 in. FIP x 24 in. Stainless Steel Water Heater Supply Line"

[@db7059]

When you pause your feeding system you should have a sign saying something like Man in Silo Do Not Turn On. This way other you are more safer.

[@stuartw8866]

Lock out tag out

[@danielmckaig4809]

If you watch his previous videos, he explains that there are controls to lock out the unloader on the unloader.

[@db7059]

@@danielmckaig4809 but is there a sign saying someone in solo? No. Anyone can come in and turn it back on. Lock another person's comment lock and tag out. Pushing a pause button does help but someone can start the system up again. Yes I know he isolated the thing in the solo whilst working there but when it is live and going up or down the shoot is not ideal.

[@daveklein2826]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@db7059]

@daveklein2826 putting your life at risk is a laughing matter?

[@jacobgunter1517]

Id love to know what kind of camera you use, and editing software, Im from South Carolina and i work on my families farm and id love to start youtube because i havent seen any farming KZbin channels in SC

[@MellowYe77ow]

Eric uses a GoPro Hero to film, and DaVinci Resolve to edit.

[@dustinnoll1021]

Cupped paddles don't gum up as much as flat paddles. I have cupped paddles on my haylage silo

[@zekewarstiener5975]

If you were ever going to expand the farm would the new feeding setup be able to handle more cows?

[@rearlt]

Great video Eric. Thanks. Good detective work too. Stay strong in the Lord brother.

[@erik23478]

I would find it interesting to see how the market works. Can't you make a video about it? Greetings from the netherlands

[@bobthebuilder5779]

Where they take the animals has a no recording rule

[@ScotWalt858]

All good!

[@harrickvharrick3957]

I am doubtful the rubber on those three peddles that throw the feed up in the silo can stay in precisely the same shape over time, it's quite likely they would tend to deform as ax trailer of having been designed to PUSH that grass. If they indeed deform outwards a bit they start rubbing against the housing that surrounds it as a result.

[@jamesbreault5762]

Great video Eric thank you

[@ethanthompson681]

Can you put a thin layer of white plastic sheet where it's sticking to the unloader so it doesn't build up

[@honeyforce996]

18:30 what is the robot in the background? Great video as always - hope you & your family are enjoying fall

[@russellgilson4072]

Great looking heifers and milk cows, you got yourself healthy Holsteins!

[@OfficialSamuelC]

Awesome video as usual!

[@andrewhalenza5773]

Bigger driven pulley slows down the process

[@davidkimmel5153]

Thanks for sharing

[@rondeshazo953]

You keep.shooting water thru the hole of the blower housing and you'll be changing out bearing more often too

[@davidcantu824]

❤ YOU ERIC ❤

[@jwiereng]

17:49 Could you use a stainless wire braided hose to be more cow chew proof?

[@lesterhertel2945]

Another very interesting video Thank you

[@Scotthobart1086]

Another great video

[@johnbidwell2725]

Spray inside with cooking spray? Make it non stick?

[@franciscosandiego3026]

Great video brother from the imperial county ca 🇺🇲🇺🇲🎃🎃

[@victorkosgei]

I find it uneconomical to replace a mature cow(excluding lameness, poor production, and other factors for culing) in full production with a heifer. Breed more angus bulls and start a feedlot at the silage bunks!

[@DanMurphy-w3m]

So you mean divert feed from the dairy enterprise to a less profitable beef enterprise ? Keep less cows and replace them with cattle that are a drain on time and resources ?

[@victorkosgei]

@DanMurphy-w3m he's already spending feed, time, and resources raising heifers.

[@billabong9215]

​@DanMurphy-w3m No. Sell the surplus animals to a beef system. Raising too many heifers is an expensive business which they take years to pay back. Mature cow has herself paid for already and is high producing. A heifer takes 2 or 3 years after calving to reach peak production.

[@daveklein2826]

ANOTHER recliner professional speaks😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MorganOtt-ne1qj]

I'm pretty sure he said that they were selling the lowest producers, and Fresh 2 year olds are considered the better genetics than the over 7 year old cows. That's why DHIA Records show ME, or Mature Equivalent for milking cattle under 5 years old. Prior to Genomic evaluation of bulls, most AI companies would stress the ME on the first proof on new release bulls.

[@harveypenner2386]

Great Video!!

[@joshzimmerman161]

I dont know how fine you cut your forages, we cut ours at 13mm its plenty short but we chop 50% rye all the time and never had issues. Just an idea. God bless

[@BillySmith-st5ow]

Rye isn’t alfalfa. Totally different.

[@dw54451]

How do you like the pit under the barn?

[@khoughton411]

Once a month?? How many times have your old unloaders "Gummed up"? Drag a hose?? Dude, that stuff gets heavy. Can you get water up that high on system pressure? Bummer Eric. Hope you can get it sorted with the dealer.

[@10thgenerationdairyman]

Its only going be an issue if we put the feed in crazy dry. I've only pulled the hose up once and it has worked well since then. We have drug hoses up our old silos on rare occasions when feeding alfalfa.

[@khoughton411]

@@10thgenerationdairyman Thanks for the reply, Eric. I don't feel so bad for you now:)

[@karenzimmerman2235]

Tel jef spiro max unloaders work great in tredacal mz

[@billsauberlich7337]

Would it help to paint your blower housing with graphite paint,what is used for gravity boxes

[@jonstaum8297]

Nice work! Is the robot scapers in the free-stall acting up?

[@gerryjamieson1861]

Any chance you could spray a non stick coating on the inside of the feeder fan thing? I'm thinking something like Teflon??

[@ltgengr]

I am not a cow expert but I do drink milk. Why are the Angus cows sold?

[@Xtremeraverbaby87]

Boys probably they dont make milk

[@kencan4772]

Their beef cows not milking cows

[@imurhuckleberry7777]

do you think the dirty walls in silo will cause clogs later on?

[@Gurtsak]

Try and spray some silicone or even Pam in there to prevent sticking

[@peterquinn350]

Too bad there isn't a way to fit a strip of UHMW plastic in there. Not much sticks to that and if it were quickly swappable that would be even better!