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The Pennco Feeder is one of the most innovative things I've seen in a long time. It is basically a tri-angular shaped hopper that swings on a piece of copper wire secured with a "L" bend on one end and a wire nut on the other. 2 nylon (tube) bushing in-between act as spacers. The copper wire also passes through an upside down "U" shaped frame (total length) about 4" x 13" folded into 3 sections (4x4,4x5,4x4), that attaches to a bucket above. A feed hole allows corn to pass from the bucket, down through the "U" frame and into the hopper. A weight in the bottom of the hopper ensures that the "mouth" of the hopper remains upright to be filled from the corn bucket above. I put one up on the property. While scouting the VERY NEXT MORNING....3 deer were under it sucking up the corn!. I used a semi "lube" bucket that is slightly larger than a 5 gal. paint bucket. After 1 week, about 25% of the feed was gone. It looks like it should feed for "about" 3-4 weeks between fillings.
A 24hr. Quartz clock [See page 37 in their free catalog, Item #10016. Use Q-80 Movement Cover @ $0.75 ea. pg. 34](turns slowly and uses its (one or two) arms to "trip" the trigger that allows the hopper to disengage and (with the weight of the corn) spill forward, emptying its contents. A 1/4" piece of steel acts as a counter weight, which once again returns the hopper into its upright position. Here, it re-fills, leans forward and "locks" into place by the trigger. These feeders dump a couple of handfuls or so of corn, and should be useful in remote locations. The unit must be suspended from a tree (i.e. with a rope) which could make it an easy item to steal, if you have thieves. However; it can be hoisted high up into treetops for EASY CONCEALMENT. Add some "legs" to the bucket to aid in filling up the bucket. I am experimenting with "enlarging" the feeder by 5-10%...I'll let you know how it works out.
I recommend you purchase one (or more) of these feeders from Pennco . Order on-line, The feeder is sent out via priority mail and you will receive it in a couple of days. Send in your check and start using it. You MIGHT find it cheaper to buy one from Pennco, than building one yourself .
Contact Pennco at http://www.pennco.com
For those who are interested in tinkering....
(ACAD 14 is NOT required...a free WHIP browser plug-in, lets you view them)
To view the ACAD drawings, download WHIP, a FREE program (plug-in). WHIP plugs into your web browser. Whip allows you (with a right click of the mouse) to fill the window with the plan, zoom, pan and PRINT the plans. Its best to use pan in combination with (page up/page down) to zoom. Its pretty cool. WHIP Screen shot of right mouse button.
PLAN AREA:
If the "free" WHIP! plug-in is installed correctly, you will see the plans, otherwise it will try to download them.
Pennco drawings require "WHIP!" ...... The photos do not.
Main Drawing #1 Requires WHIP |
Main Drawing #2 Requires WHIP |
Pennco X Requires WHIP |
Pennco test1 Requires Whip |
Photos: Page 1 Main frame |
Photos: Page 2 Frame-top view |
Photos: Page 3 Trigger |
Photos: Page 4 Hopper |
Photos: Page 5 Misc. |
Photos: Page 6 Misc. |
Photos: Page 7 Up view |
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| Photos: Clock Hands details - Spring (very light tension) #78, 7/8 x 9/32 x .015 Hardware Store tray number 540234 $0.79 each. |
(A step-by-step session)
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