Hustler Equipment has recently introduced a new addition to its line of livestock-feeding machines – the BaleXpress multi-bale feeder
This new Hustler feeding system aims to provide an alternative approach to handling large volumes of both round and square bales of any size – whether dry hay bales, straw, or loose fine chopped baleage – offering convenience, efficiency, and adaptability.
Hustler says the BaleXpress features a significant reduction in length compared to equivalent-capacity machines, typically measuring 3-4m shorter.
This design focuses on providing smoother operations, navigation through narrow gateways, and enhanced manoeuvrability.
Purposefully crafted to accommodate current and future bale sizes, BaleXpress introduces an adjustable side design with a low loading height.
This allows bales as large as 1.5m by 1.8m to be comfortably arranged side by side in a single layer.
The BaleXpress also facilitates convenient loading from either the side or the rear, while offering improved visibility over the feeder from the cab.
“What’s unique about this machine is its capability to feed out both round and square bales with the ability to adjust aggression and overcome those tightly centred bales,” Hustler Equipment CEO Brent Currie says.
“One of our most significant discoveries was recognising the time wasted in current bale feeding systems, where operators had to repeatedly exit the cab during loading to unwrap bales.”
With only a single cab exit needed for bale unwrapping and reduced tractor movements per load, Hustler aims to improve worker efficiency.
The low design profile eliminates the need to climb onto the machinery to remove string, netting or wrap.
This not only prevents field contamination but also reduces the risk of ingestion by livestock and worker safety.
“We’re aiming to eliminate the need for workers to risk themselves by climbing into the feeder to untangle loose pieces of string or anything that might get stuck,” Currie says.
“That’s why we’ve added features that undress bales on the ground before loading.”
The feeder comes with an integrated chainless rear floor engineered from durable 15mm puckboard polyethylene.
Paired with a hydraulic cylinder rear pusher blade, Hustler says the BaleXpress eliminates operator frustrations stemming from constant chain adjustments, breakdowns, and potential blockages.
“This feature also allows further efficiency gains by eliminating the plugging of awkward bales due to the ability to self-eject difficult bales,” Currie says.
BaleXpress features a unique tilting elevator that allows for adjustable aggression levels on the go without leaving the cab, tailored to extra tight or frozen bales, all while preserving the nutritional value of the forage.
Currie says this unique feature can more than halve feeding time on tight bales.
The control system aims for precise and accurate distribution of a feed windrow, effectively discouraging livestock from trampling and thus reducing waste.
Additionally, Hustler’s optional wireless scale system FeedLink is available on BaleXpress.
FeedLink allows operators to pre-programme their daily feeding routines and provides detailed reports for tracking feed proof-of-placement, operator performance and insights into over or underfeeding.
Available in six, eight, or 10-bale capacities, BaleXpress has made its debut in Australia and overseas, promising multi-bale feeding efficiency for large-scale farming operations.
For more on the Hustler BaleXpress multi-bale feeders, visit www.hustlerequipment.com or call 1800 750 428.