HAVING resisted manufacturing a vertical tub-type diet feeder for many years, Irish specialist business Keenan has unveiled the result of its collaborative project with Italian manufacturer, Storti, at the recent Agromek Show, in Denmark – and it's a vertical feeder.

The Irish manufacturer was saved from receivership last year by specialist feed business, Alltech, and this is the first in an 'exciting array of developmental and engineering projects', according to Keenan.

Together, they have built a range of twin and triple-auger Keenan vertical feeders. Long known for their paddle-type feeder, Keenan says this range is a major development for them and takes them up to a massive 44 cubic metre capacity machine.

The Keenan VA2-18 is the first in a series of new vertical auger models that is being brought to market featuring twin and triple augers for the more than 18-cubic-metre capacity market.

“Keenan has always been proponents of the unique quality of the MechFiber mix produced by our paddle diet feeders,” said Matt Higgins, its commercial director. “However, in Storti we have found the best vertical machine in the market and have successfully enhanced the output from this machine with the addition of our InTouch technology.

“These vertical auger machines do not produce the Holy Grail that is the MechFiber mix, however the nutritional output they now produce has been optimised thanks to implementing our unique algorithms for the exact mixing order, speed and rotations,” he added, pointing out that their robust construction ensures durability under tough conditions.

Features include heavy-duty augers with durable tungsten-coated blades and both front (right hand side) and rear (left hand side) discharge doors with trays for dual feed out.

Keenan has put additional blades on the top of each auger for faster processing of bales and there's a two-speed gearbox with mechanical cable adjustment to switch between speeds.