Stall Fillers
To provide the ultimate in cow comfort, dairy producers should frequently maintain deep-bedded sand freestalls. The McLanahan Stall Filler is designed to handle sand bedding and provide trouble-free operation.
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Stall Fillers are available in either a truck- or trailer-mounted unit. They include controls that are mounted inside the cab in close proximity to the operator, which allows the driver to concentrate on operating the Stall Filler and placing the sand in the proper location in the stalls. The electronic over hydraulic design eliminates many hydraulic hoses and fittings, reducing complexity and maintenance.
Stall Fillers are used to replace sand bedding in freestall dairies. They can also be used to spread sand on construction sites. They are designed using a variety of wear-resistant material to give it a long life under harsh conditions.
How Stall Fillers Work
Stall Fillers are used to move and distribute sand bedding in freestall barns as part of the freestall bedding maintenance program. While cows are being milked, the freestalls are cleaned and groomed to remove manure and dirty bedding. A Stall Filler can then be used to replace the sand that has either been kicked out by the cows or removed during the grooming process.
Bedding sand is first loaded into the Stall Filler’s hopper. The Stall Filler is either pulled (trailer) or driven (truck) through the freestall barn while the cows are absent. The operator can fill the stalls to the proper levels by adjusting the tractor's rpm and belt speeds. Depending on the size of the barn, several trips may be necessary to get all the stalls filled.
Why McLanahan Stall Fillers
McLanahan Stall Fillers were designed and built specifically for sand bedding. Every component has been designed and chosen for long life under severe and abrasive use. The hopper is mounted on a heavy axle assembly that uses standard truck tires for quick and easy maintenance. The hopper discharge belt is superior to other chain type systems for providing better service life under abrasive working conditions. The belt is supported by a series of mining duty undercarriage rollers. The hydraulic system is self-contained and driven by the tractor PTO. Electric controls, located in the cab of the tractor or truck, adjust the speed and direction of the discharge belts. This allows the operator to place the sand where it’s most needed in the stalls. The high-speed discharge belt is driven by shaft-mounted urethane wheels supported by outboard bearings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stall Fillers
Ask An ExpertYou will work with our team of engineers to determine if the truck you have will work with the Stall Filler or not. A few items that you need to consider include:
- The bed length must be 16 feet or longer.
- The frame should have a width of 34” when measured from outside to outside of each frame rail.
- The carrying capacity must be 35,000lbs or greater.
- The ability to power a hydraulic pump run off the transmission with a PTO, or directly from the engine (driven off the crankshaft).
- A hydraulic pump. This must have the provision to be shut off (driven off the transmission) or the provision to bypass oil back to the reservoir without pumping it through the valve (crankshaft driven) when the Stall Filler is not operating. The pump can be disengaged with a PTO that can be shifted in and out of gear or with some type of clutch mechanism. Oil can be bypassed around the valve with some type of plumbing. If the above provisions are not made, the hydraulic oil will overheat. The hydraulic pump must also provide 24 gpm at 3,000 psi for operating the Stall Filler.
- 12VDC power available to power the control box.
When the Stall Filler is full of sand, it will weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds. The tractor will need to be able to handle this weight and have the horsepower necessary to drive the hydraulics. We recommend a tractor that is at least 60 Hp.
These Stall Fillers will fit in most modern freestall barns. Occasionally, barns are built with alleys that are too narrow. A drawing that shows the major dimensions of the Stall Filler can be found here.
Yes, multiple machines have been shipped overseas. In order to fit into a shipping container, the Stall Filler needs to be partially disassembled and reassembled once delivered.
The main hopper conveyor assembly uses a heavy-duty belt supported with bed rollers. This is the same kind of design that is used extensively with conveyor systems to move sand and gravel, and it is the best option for abrasive materials. The discharge conveyor uses a continuous cleated belt, similar to what is used to drive a snowmobile. The underside of the belt has drive cogs that match up with the cogs on the drive wheels. We use our own urethane drive wheels, not plastic or metal wheels. The urethane wheels and outboard bearings provide a long service life despite being inundated with sand.
Stall Fillers are used to replace sand bedding in freestall dairies.
Features & Benefits
- Truck- or trailer-mounted Stall Filler units available
- Between 8 and 10 yards struck level
- Adjustable hopper and discharge belt speeds and direction
- Self-contained hydraulic system driven by tractor PTO
- Integral hydraulic pump
- Rear discharge on truck-mounted Stall Fillers
- Front discharge on trailer-mounted Stall Fillers
- Electric over hydraulic control included
- Urethane wheels support and drive discharge belt for reduced wear and long life