Hey guys, I'm seriously looking into starting up a little side business building feeders and would like some input from you guys. I've got a sheet metal shop at my disposal and would like to get something out there that doesnt break the bank, And has the features that make everyone happy.

I will have a few built and out on the lease within a few weeks but I want to know what you guys like or dont like about your feeder set ups.

So far I know I want to make them where they can easily be changed between corn and protein just by swapping the tube. I also am trying to figure out a way to make them easier to set up and take down for one man. They will be fully Galvanized and completely water tight for sure.

I'm looking for the little things that tick you off about your feeders, Whether it be in the set-up, filling, maintenance, toughness, stability, or take down areas.

Thanks guys, So far I'm looking at being at least a couple hundred under everything else on the market pricewise and excited about getting it started.

P.S. - I am still working on the whole "Fill themselves up with free corn/protein" thing!

If you get this figured out, I'll buy 5!

Hold min 500 pounds, no taller the pick up bed so you don't need a ladder.

Also on skids.

Under $400 bucks with timer

Amen to pickup-bed height and 500 pound minimum. Needs to have the slinger varmint-proofed- like the 2 inverted plates to keep coons out.

Good luck Cntryboy, as someone who builds feeders I think the fact that you asked the question on this site is great. I think that is one of the main reasons it's here, however be carefull what you ask for. I focus mainly on winch feeders and game hoist and have found while I don't sell the volume that some do there is a market for quality at a fair price. I do not mean cheap, there are pleanty of folks building stuff fast in such a way to make as much as possible but very few who try to foresee the issues that you are and design them into the product.
Quality, a fair price, and someone to stand behind their product if problems do arise seem to be what I hear.

Thanks BHolt, we needed a few fr our lease so when I started drawing em up I started thinkin about all the little things that bother us and thought it surely bugged somebody else too.

I plan on doing a few options as well as a winch up protein feeder that folks should like. I plan on selling one or two at my cost to throw out to someone as test dummies before I kick off. Thanks for your input and ill shoot you a PM later today with a question for ya.

Also, on the skid note, why do you like them on skids? Is it for for the loading/unloading phase or do you like to be able to just drag it around to reposition it.

I am looking at purchasing a Boss Buck 1200LB Spin Cast Feeder by March. Anything comparable to that feeder at lower price I would be interested in.

Stronger and easier to move.

I like this feeder but not the price, has just about everything I want except the ability to feed protien but I think I have that figured out.. although a 700-100lb option would be awesome.. can pick it up easy and transport easy also.

And I can fill it from ground

A lid that won't hold water (no cold showers). And realize that not everyone is 6' tall (sorry Guys) or taller.

I might volunteer as a test "dummy". I am opinionated, picky, and short.

And the impossible - hog proof!

Ive got the lid situation handled already for sure!

For all of you that want them to be low enough to load from a pickup bed, Are you against the idea of a winch up? I have an idea just about finished up where I will have a winch up 1200 lb Protein/Corn feeder, Protein will be free choice, And corn slung.

All my protein feeders are low profile type because I can fill them from the back of the pickup. It is an "old man" thing.

A winch up 1200 pound feeder is going to require an exceptionally strong set of legs, winch, cable, pulley system and winch attachment method. That usually translates to heavy or expensive or both.

BUT, If it was within budget, Would you buy one if I told you I'd buy it back if you didnt like it?

What would you guys consider "Within budget" for a feeder like that?

Put good galvanized lid, motor / timer, and solar with armor cladding (No exposed wires) and you will have no complaints from buyers.

For me winch up is the only way to go.

Thanks for all your input folks, Ill have a some things on the ground before long and I'll update this thread when I drop em in the classifieds.

Now this is an itelligent man. The worst winch feeder is better than agood tripod, as long as it is equipt with a good timer.

I wish I'd known about (and installed) a heavy duty winch with automatic brake on my winch feeder.

I will probably buy one and change it out this spring. They're only $20 or $30 more than the knuckle eaters I've seen on most feeders.

Many folks tell you that brake winches are not needed and the boat style is good enough. Two comments: If you are going to upgrade, then upgrade and do it right. Most folks telling you that a brake winch is not needed are someone who has never had one fail or a dealer trying to keep their cost down.
Besides mine there are a few other good companies out there who equip their feeders with a brake winch if you are comparing theirs to a feeder that comes with a brake winch just ask them why they don't furnish brake winches. I would love to hear their response.

I have had 3 "incidents" with my boat winch in the past year. Two of them involved simply losing grip & getting a knuckle rapped. Luckily, the feeder wasn't far from the ground when that happened.

The third was when my grandson was cranking with the "safety" lever clicking away & on. The lever tilted slightly losing the grip and he got a knuckle rap.

It isn't worth the savings to go cheap on a winch. I have a good brake type in my Amazon wish list & will be putting it on this spring.

bholt, thanks for building them right to begin with. I wish I'd found your site before I got mine.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, glad no one got hurt. You can get them at Northern tool at a good price and sometimes they go on sale.

I agree with both of ya'll, Boat winches are one of the worst idea to ever go on a feeder. I've watched em fall, Had the knuckles ate up, And watched the "safety tab" kick off to the side. For 30 bucks extra...No reason you shouldnt have one.


Gettin closer to having some on the ground, We are behind on a project or two and havent had time to kick any of these out but there is a light at the end of the tunnel for sure!

Well, Got an order for a beast and got her done. All i need to do is weld on the feet and attach the spinner plate and shes done.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3100461/Re_1000_lb_Feeders#Post3100461

Whatcha think fellas?