Blog posts tagged with 'farrowing'

In an earlier blog post we reported the interest shown in the SowMax (see more….) at this year’s EuroTier.  Shown is German sales rep Ulf  Maroske as he explains features and benefits to a customer at the show.  We later received this email from Ulf concerning a customer who purchased 20 International farrowing crates and 50 SowMAX dispensers to fit on existing crates this October.

“When visited my customer last week the piglets were 14 days old. He placed the sows with the highest piglet losses in the last farrowing in the Hog Slat International crates. He told me had piglet losses of .6 per sow in the new crates compared to 1 piglet per sow in the old crates. This is nice result.”

“When I asked him how satisfied he is with our SowMAX he gave me the short answer.  Today he regrets that he installed 50 of them…if he had know the SowMAX worked so well he would have equipped all 90 farrowing crates with them.”

“Compared to his other feeding system he has significantly less feed wastage.  Now the sows eat more, the amount is 10kg (22 lbs.), that was not possible before. The sows are much quieter during feeding time”

To see (more…..)

We just released our new SowMAX ebook.

It’s the illustrated manual on feeding sows in lactation with SowMAX. See the section on ordering hardware and brackets to add SowMAX dispensers to your farrowing crates.

Click here to download your free copy.

Go to our web page to watch SowMAX videos .

Hog Slat’s introduction of the Poly Lamp improves several features of plastic heat lamp shades used in swine farrowing houses. Plastic heat lamp shades have become popular since being introduced several years ago. Polypropylene shades don’t dent or corrode like aluminum shades. Plastic shades also have a some cushion or “bounce” when knocked against the crate or creep panels reducing bulb breakage.

The Hog Slat’s Poly Lamp improves several key features of the plastic heat lamp, most notably to the nylon fixture.

First, the nylon fixture screws together on the shade top, instead bolting. The two-piece fixture reduces breakage occurring with the bolt-on style of earlier models.

Second, we use a rigid fixture instead the flexible type used on other poly lamps. The rigid design eliminates cord twist when replacing bulbs.

And third, the porcelain socket resists heat damage better than plastic types.

The Poly Lamp comes with a choice of hanging options; adjustable sliding poly hanger on the 9′ cord or a wire hanger mounted on fixture top.

Rated a maximum 250 watts at 120 volts, the Poly Lamp is UL listed. The Poly Lamp also comes with an extended Three-Year Warranty.

Overall the Poly Lamp is an improved version of earlier plastic lamp shades at very attractive price. For ordering information go to http://hogslat.com/hog-slat-poly-heat-lamp

Appropriate maintenance and troubleshooting of a Grow-Disk chain feeding system will lead to smooth operation and a longer lifetime of the components.

Use this inspection checklist as a guide to maintaining your Grow-Disk feed system.

**Caution: Disconnect power before performing any maintenance.

Grow-Disk Maintenance

Daily Inspection

• Monitor system amperage load

Monthly Inspection

• Open unit and remove feed residue
• Check chain tension

Every 6 Months Inspection

• Remove dust from drive unit ventilator
• Check functioning of safety switch
• Check proximity switch
• Check any/all other safety devices or sensors

Once a Year Inspection

• Check idler wheel and drive sprocket for wear
• Check corners. Remove residue. Verify tube position.
• Check system wiring for damage

Grow-Disk Troubleshooting

If you experience an issue with a Grow-Disk Feed System, initial machinery inspection is important. Any troubleshooting exercise should begin with a thorough investigation of the machine, process, design, operation, and system maintenance records. To assist in troubleshooting the Grow-Disk feed system, use the Grow-Disk Troubleshooting Chart.

To learn more about Grow-Disk feed system visit http://www.hogslat.com/grower-select-grow-disk-feed-system