I'm mapping out scenarios on how to best secure my spincast (tripod) feeders to keep hogs taking them out.
For the past few years I have successfully kept my feeders up by sledgehammering 2 foot pieces of half inch rebar at approximately 45 degrees of the feeder legs. I've then used adjustable steel hose clamps to secure rebar to feeder legs.
After this past deer season, one by one my feeders began to topple. From the looks of things, one big pig is responsible taking them out. The failure point seems to be where the pig can rub or uplift a leg along with the rebar anchor. I've yet to have a steel hose clamp break as the rebar anchor is still attached to each leg once the feeder has been knocked to the ground.
Before I go on, it should be noted that the feeders are located in rocky country with shallow soil. In most cases, you're lucky to not hit rock (often bedrock) within the first 6 inches of soil.
My initial thought to remedy the situation was to drill pilot holes at 45 degree angle to legs (or straight into the ground) with a 1" hammer drill bit and then try to use a t-post pounder to pound in 6 foot t-posts so that I can secure the feeder legs. My guess is that this will be nearly impossible.
Second thought: Jackhammer holes for t-posts. Doable, but possibly overkill if option three works.
Option three: Use hammer drill to drill pilot holes as deep as possible for half inch rebar. Angle pilot holes in such a way that when rebar is inserted, the rebar will be the same angle as the legs. Once rebar is secured to legs, essentially the rebar serves as an extension of the leg into the ground.
The more I think about it, the more I think option three will be less work-intensive yet probably the securest.
So I post these ideas here seeking OB input. Is your lease/land in the hill country or out west? If so, what works for you?
[This message has been edited by SanAntoneAg (edited 7/22/2013 12:44p).]
For the past few years I have successfully kept my feeders up by sledgehammering 2 foot pieces of half inch rebar at approximately 45 degrees of the feeder legs. I've then used adjustable steel hose clamps to secure rebar to feeder legs.
After this past deer season, one by one my feeders began to topple. From the looks of things, one big pig is responsible taking them out. The failure point seems to be where the pig can rub or uplift a leg along with the rebar anchor. I've yet to have a steel hose clamp break as the rebar anchor is still attached to each leg once the feeder has been knocked to the ground.
Before I go on, it should be noted that the feeders are located in rocky country with shallow soil. In most cases, you're lucky to not hit rock (often bedrock) within the first 6 inches of soil.
My initial thought to remedy the situation was to drill pilot holes at 45 degree angle to legs (or straight into the ground) with a 1" hammer drill bit and then try to use a t-post pounder to pound in 6 foot t-posts so that I can secure the feeder legs. My guess is that this will be nearly impossible.
Second thought: Jackhammer holes for t-posts. Doable, but possibly overkill if option three works.
Option three: Use hammer drill to drill pilot holes as deep as possible for half inch rebar. Angle pilot holes in such a way that when rebar is inserted, the rebar will be the same angle as the legs. Once rebar is secured to legs, essentially the rebar serves as an extension of the leg into the ground.
The more I think about it, the more I think option three will be less work-intensive yet probably the securest.
So I post these ideas here seeking OB input. Is your lease/land in the hill country or out west? If so, what works for you?
[This message has been edited by SanAntoneAg (edited 7/22/2013 12:44p).]
