Push Feed Carts

Many styles and sizes of “push” feed carts are available. A push feed cart requires the farmer or rancher to manually push and empty the cart. Depending upon the type of feed and how it is to be fed, the cart might be unloaded all at once (e.g., by dumping) or emptied gradually (e.g., by shoveling or scooping the feed out). Many local farm feed stores carry at least one brand of push feed carts. When feeding small grains or pellets, a push feed cart with sloped ends, which makes shoveling the feed easier, should be considered. If the terrain where the feed cart will travel is rugged, using a push feed cart with larger diameter wheels will make pushing it easier. Most push feed carts are manufactured from durable plastics, such as U.V. stabilized polyethylene, which clean easily and are less prone to rot/rust than the older or home-built wooden or metal feed carts. Some push feed carts have a single front center wheel that swivels, while others have wheels on all four corners making them more stable.

Some of the physical effort needed when feeding livestock can be reduced by hauling larger quantities of feed in “easy-to-push” carts. Depending upon the weight of loaded feed carts, push feed carts require farmers or ranchers to have the strength to push with their legs, to control the direction of shovels, or to scoop the feed from the carts using their upper bodies. Therefore, push style feed carts might be recommended for people with mild back injuries/pain or mild arthritis in their knees, hips, or lower legs. Push-style feed carts, however, may not be good choices for people with a severe back injuries/pain, severe arthritis in their knees, hips, lower legs, or any type of disability that affects walking, coordination, and fatigue level (e.g., multiple sclerosis [MS], stroke).

Powered Feed Carts

If the farmer or rancher cannot push a feed cart, perhaps a “powered” feed cart is the solution. Some of the larger and more expensive powered feed carts have electric motors and a rechargeable battery that propels the feed cart. Other powered feed carts use a small gas engine to propel them. A battery-powered feed cart should be quieter and produce less exhaust fumes than a feed cart propelled by a small engine. However, batteries that require recharging can be expensive to replace. This is one factor to consider when purchasing a powered feed cart.

The steering or maneuvering mechanism of powered carts is a consideration when mobility issues must be addressed. Some powered carts allow the operator to ride along with or sit on the cart and maneuver it with a small steering wheel. For a farmer or rancher with significant mobility issues, the ability to ride on the cart while hauling and unloading feed might be a welcome feature. Operators, however, should understand that the stock seats are not very comfortable. While not always the case, adding a seat to the feed cart might make the cart itself longer, and thus more difficult to fit or maneuver within some existing alley or aisle widths. Other powered carts allow the operator to maneuver the cart with a pivoting-style lever while walking along behind the cart.

Powered feed carts can save farmers or ranchers considerable physical effort by allowing them to haul larger quantities of feed in powered or self-propelled carts. Powered feed carts also self-unload, saving farmers or ranchers additional physical exertion. Powered feed carts might be recommended for people with severe back injuries, severe back pain, severe arthritis in their knees, hips, lower legs, or any type of disability that might affect walking, coordination, and fatigue level (e.g., MS, stroke). Two other important factors to consider prior to purchasing powered feed carts are the size, (will the feed carts fit within the alleys or aisle widths) and the maneuverability (can the farmers or ranchers walk behind the feed carts or do they need to ride on the feed cart).

Alley or Aisle Width

Whether the operator rides, walks behind, or pushes the feed cart, the cart must fit within the available alley or aisle width. More importantly, the feed cart must be able to be maneuvered around any corners or turns within the feeding area. Often times the barn alley or aisle widths are fixed and cannot easily be changed. Therefore, alley or aisle width might become the deciding factor in choosing a specific feed cart size and style. A typical feed cart brochure diagram showing alley or aisle width limits and cornering requirements is shown below. To choose the properly sized feed cart, you should measure your alley or aisle widths, including the corners, and compare the measurements with those recommended in the brochure (i.e., see alley or aisle width measurements required as indicated by the letters “A”, “B”, and “C” in the diagram below) for each style/size of feed cart.