safe tractor tire hay feeder
This is our solution for keeping hay from being trampled in mud or being blown away when it is windy - but also being a safe feeder for our horses kept at pasture. 

This feeder allows the horses to eat in a fairly natural, head-down position.  The rounded edges prevent the horses from "flinging" the hay out.  It also helps keep hay up out of the sand to prevent sand colic.



Materials
  • 2 bias tractor tires
  • A reciprocating saw with a wood blade
  • A handheld drill with a drill bit to match the bolts you choose
  • A pencil or marker
  • A sheet of plywood - 3/4" thick minimum
  • At least 6 sets of (1) bolt / (2) flat washers / (1) lock washer / (1) nut, with the bolt being a minimum of 1" longer than all the layers (tires and plywood).
  • 2 wrenches to fit the bolts/nuts
  • A hammer
  • Blocks to set the feeder on when bolting it together

Amount of time to build
A few hours


Note:  One person can build and move the feeder by themself - it is easier with two people though, especially for moving the tires around.


Acquire 2 nice size bias ply (not radial) tractor tires.  I like ones that are approximately 5 feet outside diameter.  We got these from our township's recycling center, free of charge.  For my next two feeders, I will be getting some tires from a farmer friend of ours.  People usually needs to pay to get rid of tires, so they are generally happy to give the tires to you.
The tires can be in fairly rough condition.  For example, one of these is dry rotted.  They do not need to match exactly, either.  Just try to get them approximately the same outside diameter.



The first step is to remove the bead of the tire - this is the inside of the tire where it is in contact with the wheel.  There is wire going through the bead, and the rubber is thickened.  It is important to remove the bead to remove the risk of the horse being injured or ingesting any metal pieces, and to allow the tire to be flexible, so a horse or foal does not get stuck in the feeder.  You should remove both beads on one tire.  The other tire can remain intact.

To get started, drill several holes a couple inches in from the bead.  Work the drill to make it a single, long slot.  This will allow you to get the blade of your reciprocating saw into the tire.



Insert the reciprocating saw blade into the drilled hole.  Cut around the whole tire.  I had better luck with our corded reciprocating saw than I did with our cordless one - I am not sure why.



This is what the tire will look like with the beads removed. The white part is the tire cords, they are a fabric-like material.






Next, lay the tire down on the plywood.  Mark the outside of the tire treads.  You may need to piece the plywood.  Connect the marks and cut the plywood with your reciprocating saw.



This is the size we make the plywood for our feeders.  I had to piece the plywood for this feeder.




Place the plywood on the intact tire, and place the tire with the bead removed on top of the plywood.  Put everything up on blocks, high enough so you can slide under to fasten the nuts on the bolts.  The feeder needs to be somewhat level, otherwise the tires will be bent slightly and it will be difficult to bolt them together.




Drill down through the top tire, the plywood and the bottom tire.  Hammer the bolt, with a flat washer on it, down through all three layers.  Slide underneath and put another flat washer and either a lock washer and nut or a lockable nut on the bolt.  You don't need to tighten the nut yet, just get it all hooked together.  Drill and secure each set before moving on to the next - it is easy for something to get misaligned.
After all the sets are secure, lift the feeder so it is on its side and tighten all the nuts.



Finally, roll the feeder out to your pasture.  This feeder will hold at least 50 pounds.  Be sure to tuck the hay into the tire on the sides.  We place a small rock or other spacer between the tire and plywood - in a space between bolts, to let any water drain out.



* Please excuse the muddy horses - spring is just beginning!