steve49
408 posts
Feb 19, 2010
3:19 PM
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many years ago, i saw a picture of a device used to clean the dust out of feed. it looked very much like a bingo machine, with a handle that you would use to turn the feed, and the dust and dirt would fall thru. the entire thing was made of mesh, with a screen material for the outer layer, and wood framing to hold it all together. anyone have or use one? i'd love to build one, but want to see it first hand to get an idea how to make it. i guess it would be large enough to hold a 50lb bag.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1650 posts
Feb 19, 2010
3:52 PM
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Steve, It's low tech. but a large kitchen sieve would work for small batches.
Thom
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steve49
409 posts
Feb 19, 2010
4:37 PM
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Thom, yes, your low tech solution would work, but consider how many bags of feed you go thru, and the sieve method starts to look a bit too much. i tried searching for a feed/grain cleaner but i get mostly farm equipment links. i think it can be made of 1x1 stock, with screening stretched across. two trusses or supports would hold it waist level, and a metal rod would go thru the center and out the side. then i'd attach a handle to that center rod, and you could turn it, like a drum and the dirt and dust would fall thru. just take a scoop of your average grain, and allow it to flow thru the air and you'd be surprised at how much stuff is in it.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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steve49
410 posts
Feb 19, 2010
5:15 PM
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you guys are no fun! and also what happens if there's no wind? ;0
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
Last Edited by on Feb 19, 2010 5:36 PM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1651 posts
Feb 19, 2010
5:17 PM
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Sounds like a plan! I'm just to lazy! :)I have to say though, Pete runs a close second! :)
Thom
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steve49
411 posts
Feb 19, 2010
5:36 PM
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wait a second, i thought you were retired! are you even allowed to be lazy? if i build this thing, i know you'll want one. think how cool it will be. you dump an entire bag of feed into it, and with a beer in one hand, you rock the cradle, or uh, rotate the thingie with your other hand, and voila! super clean pigeon feed! its just too cool.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
Last Edited by on Feb 19, 2010 5:37 PM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1652 posts
Feb 19, 2010
5:50 PM
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O.K., same plan but! I clean each days worth of feed, with a beer in one hand and the sieve in the other! Your plan only allows for one day, one beer! You have lost your mind! :)
P.S.I never worked this hard, until I retired!
Thom
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nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
4151 posts
Feb 19, 2010
7:09 PM
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I use a high velocity blower and adjust my distance from the fan to keep the grain from blowing away while I poor from bag to a large container. Then I go from container to container until I get it reasonably clean of dust and particles.
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"Left leaning communist pinko @#%* and Masturbator"
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Nick Siders
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steve49
412 posts
Feb 19, 2010
7:31 PM
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Nick, your idea, although very promissing, uses vast quantities of generated power, at what cost? hence it lacks the greeness that my manually operated device has. and if you're not careful, you could blow away some of your birds' feed.
furthermore, Thom, you're basically saying that when I retire, i will be working harder than now? plus, you didn't even ask about the daily ritual of turning my device, with prementioned beer in hand, as opposed to your occasionally used system, when you feel like it. so, in all honesty, i can tell you that this device of mine will become more of a habit, and a good one i might add. not sure of the beer part, but i could put a small fridge in the breeding loft to accomodate a keg or some bottles of the sudsy stuff. you guys can keep coming up with those lame ideas, but you know MY idea is way better. and when i complete the prototype, you'll all be asking for the plans. i guarantee it!
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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stiff
90 posts
Feb 20, 2010
9:26 AM
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What I use to clean my feed is I have a square frame that is about 4 inches high 2x4 wide I have wire mesh small enough so that milo cant go thru it and under the wire mesh I have screen the type you use for your house I will usually put enough grain in it and bake the grain in the sun for a couple of days so it will dry the grain out and kill the bugs in the grain especially wheat has lot of bugs. There are times when we get grain here we dont know how long it has been sitting and then they got to ship the grain here and there are times when you open your bag of grain if you smell it it has a musky smell, When you dry your grain you will notice that it has a different smell, the purpose is to dry the grain out and you can clean the grain while you drink your beer.
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clayton leu learning the ways to fly rollers!
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nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
4152 posts
Feb 20, 2010
10:36 AM
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steve49-I am not going to add anymore stuff to my operation. The blower is there for summer ventilation and the two containers are there to be used to hand mix feeds and to tote feed. It (your feed cleaner machine) just adds to the clutter, green as it may be. Find me another use for it when not cleaning feed and I might think about it.
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"Left leaning communist pinko @#%* and Masturbator"
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Nick Siders
Last Edited by on Feb 20, 2010 5:01 PM
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steve49
413 posts
Feb 20, 2010
3:33 PM
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Nick, i was kinda saying it in jest. pigeons are such tough creatures, we often take their care for granted. some mills seem to do a better job of screening their feeds, others not so much. i tried some cheap wildbird mix for the wildbirds, and when i poured the bag into a container it was so dusty i was choking. i think pigeon feeds are much cleaner, but not perfect. if a reasonable means of winnowing or cleaning the feed is working for you, that's great. i also like the fact that the feed, once cleaned can stay in the bin and benefit from the added air circulation.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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JDA
GOLD MEMBER
702 posts
Feb 20, 2010
4:11 PM
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Steve... check and see if you can get Leeches Grain . It is in SO CAL.Phone #562/869/4451.I know they ship to Hawaii,So you might be able to get it on the east cost. That is by far the cleans feed going.JDA
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polarbear
72 posts
Feb 20, 2010
5:01 PM
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Dont want to ruffle any feathers, but if you have to clean your feed you should look for a different brand or different company.
Another good clean feed is Winners Cup out of California.
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steve49
414 posts
Feb 20, 2010
5:05 PM
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thanx Joe. i'm pretty satisfied with the choices we have on LI, such as Brown's (Pa.) and Baden (toronto, ca). one feed store even carries some Euro mixes. most are very clean, but i decided to build a cleaner because i'm getting cabin fever not flying my FLYING rollers. plus, i haven't built my breeding loft yet, so i've only got the 2 kits of 09 birds and i guess i'm bored.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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steve49
415 posts
Feb 20, 2010
5:09 PM
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Polarbear, i'm not actually saying my feed is so dirty it needs cleaning. i'm saying i saw the device many years ago, and thought it would be a good thing to use. can't hurt, right? maybe feed in your area is very clean, but no matter how clean it is, there's still stuff in it. since it won't be expensive to make, i'm going to give it a try.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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polarbear
74 posts
Feb 20, 2010
5:25 PM
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Steve, when you get it done post a picture.
And I agree there is always some chaff or small stuff in most feed.
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PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3545 posts
Feb 20, 2010
6:16 PM
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I use purgrain that mix is so clean dust free I love it-...but alot of feed is dusty out there .so you never know once people see it they will want it..go for it..---------
Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1653 posts
Feb 21, 2010
6:45 AM
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Jokes aside, if I was going to build this contraption, I would try to find a electric or phone wire spool as the core. Then build a stand with 2x4 stock and a piece of pipe for the spindle. Add hardware cloth or screen, door, a crank and a catch pan for the clean feed. :) OH, and red wine instead of beer.
Thom
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steve49
416 posts
Feb 21, 2010
7:17 AM
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Thom, i think a spool wouldn't be that good. the center of the spool takes up a lot of space. if you can imagine a hexagonal shaped bin, longer than wide made of 1" stock, then you'll have the picture. stretched across each rectangular section would be the wire mesh, with a coarse (1/4x1/4)cloth for strength, and fibreglas screen to prevent millet and rice from fallng thru. i'm going to see if i can do something in 'paint' to show it.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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steve49
417 posts
Feb 21, 2010
7:52 AM
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here's a quick idea of what i'm talking about.
Steve in Blue Point, NY
Last Edited by on Feb 21, 2010 8:02 AM
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JBow
159 posts
Feb 21, 2010
10:24 PM
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Steve i have seen cleaning Tumblers like your sketch. Years ago Frank Picolet had one like that with a 1/4 horse washing machine motor on it and it worked great for him. I use a 15 by 24 inch by 2" high siffter. after i siffted the seed i let sit out in the sun. I've been trying to get myself to build a tumbler but as of yet been to lazy. Jim Bowen
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