I have also made the first example using the PVC and the "Y" piece on the bottom. Another modification is to add a bucket to the top so it can hold more corn/feed. If adding the bucket, I recommend adding a bracket so you can mount it to the tree along with a few bungie cords to keep it from toppling over. You can also just buy a metal bucket, cut a hole, and fabricate a metal funnel, then just buy the actual spreader/battery and make your own automatic feeder. If doing this, I recommend putting a cable between two trees with an eye bolt on each tree and then another cable attached to the top of the bucket with a pulley/winch system mounted to a tree. The feeder stays suspended between the trees. This one is good if you are in an area where bears destroy the plastic/legs on traditional feeders.
Thats a good point. Never really got into feeders and feeding besides some mineral licks. Looking into the PVC style feeders.
The only problem with the PVC feeders is that raccoons will climb in and paw some of the corn out for his buddies waiting on the ground. A .22 or trap is a good remedy.
I have to give it a quick paint job and attach the feeder. Almost done. Easy rain day project. I scored the 13 gallon bucket and photo cell from my friend. I am going to build him one for helping me get started. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
My friend gave it to me to help get me started. Walmart, Kmart, ****s...after season sales prices drop. You can pick them up for $10.00. This feeder, including battery will cost me $25.00, start to finish (if I had paid $10 for the feeder kit.) Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
I used to use a Smart Timer attached to the bottom of a 10 gallon garbage can. 10 gallons = 50 lbs of corn so it was really convenient. The only issue is finding the right tree crotch to throw a rope through to hold the weight. I ended up selling 3 or 4 of these type of feeders on Ebay. They worked well and sounded like a dinner bell when they went off. If the deer weren't there within 15 minutes they weren't coming during that feed event.
Thanks guys. However, I wont paint any more like that. Waste of paint. Paint doesn't stick to well to that type of plastic. I even scotch brite and rubbed cleaned with acetone. I will just paint it one solid color and then wrap in camo netting. It will break up the outline of the feeder a lot better too. I just scored a new lease with a friend and can't wait until Jan to deploy it with a cam and see what's on the property. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
FYI, to those with questions...use poly rope instead of nylon. Nylon stretches under load and if you drop the bucket, etc, it will crush the motor. Also, the PVC across the top allows you to take the lid off when the rope is under tension (hanging) so you can easily refill. It would be impossible to put the lid on by yourself after filling it without it. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Finally got the time to get these made. Total cost was just under 25 for both feeders. I used the drainage light green PVC which is a little cheaper then PVC as well. I used metal gratting on the bottom to allow water drainage.
