Tyre mat for silage pit

farmerjj

Anyone here use tyre mats to cover there pit? We,re thinking of trying it out this year but not sure is it worth the time in bolting all the tyres together,what size is the best or whats the pit falls(excuse the pun)

pms7

Got 2 lots done, great job. Not cheap but will last years, don't use old perished tyres. Get your man from north to do it, bit of a nack to it, be ages yourself

enricoh

There was a lad at the ploughing doing them e1 a bolt, he had a handy jig made up with a compressor.
I wouldn't dream of doing myself -by the time u buy bolt washer n nut it'd be near e1 anyway.

st1979

Works out dear enough I taught. Only good thing is if you have tyres already how else do you use them. Would much prefer those green covers if I was going to buy anything

bullnuts

st1979 wrote: »

Works out dear enough I taught. Only good thing is if you have tyres already how else do you use them. Would much prefer those green covers if I was going to buy anything

What are these green covers?

st1979

Think volac make them there are other makes. Looks like heavy windbreak. Lots use it around here. You then can put a few tyres or gravel bags on. There very good

Dawggone

bullnuts wrote: »

What are these green covers?

They're the job!

Make sure they're heavy enough, iirc they need to be over 250g/sqm.

bullnuts

Dawggone wrote: »

They're the job!

Make sure they're heavy enough, iirc they need to be over 250g/sqm.

What about a heavy duty tarpaulin w with weights tied to the corners! Or is this what you mean ?

st1979

Tarp would be no good. Wind would blow it off. This is a fine mesh so wind can pass through. Looks the very same as windbreak just heavier

cute geoge

where can you get the green covers ye are on about

bullnuts

A big tarpaulin that could be spread out and a water hose connected !ridges to evenly fill the tarp and a tap and valves at the low side to empty sections and roll back as being used !

bullnuts

st1979 wrote: »

Tarp would be no good. Wind would blow it off. This is a fine mesh so wind can pass through. Looks the very same as windbreak just heavier

What about those half tonne builder bags quater filled with dung! Could be lifted on and off with front loader ! Or would it rot in a season?

st1979

All these systems require tractor on the pit. The green stuff 2 people can just drag it on. Then throw a few tyres on. I got a little bit and wished I had enough to do the whole pit. Stops birds pecking if you got maize under it. But like all nice things they are dear. Glanbia sells them. Off the top of my head a 160' x 50' pit cost 2k. But if you paid a euro per bolt to do a tyre mat it would work out similar

K.G.

Putting in a second pit this year and will need extra tyres to cover it.at the i use car tyred on top and tractor on sides .are they still doing those tyre mats and are they worth it

49801

K.G. wrote: »

Putting in a second pit this year and will need extra tyres to cover it.at the i use car tyred on top and tractor on sides .are they still doing those tyre mats and are they worth it

If you’ve a telescopic be easier to handle

Truck tyre sidewalls look good to me... not sure if anyone doing them in Ireland though
https://www.rwn.org.uk/rwn-heavy-silage-covers-lorry-tyre-side-walls.htm
Supposed to be cheaper than mats.

pms7

st1979 wrote: »

All these systems require tractor on the pit. The green stuff 2 people can just drag it on. Then throw a few tyres on. I got a little bit and wished I had enough to do the whole pit. Stops birds pecking if you got maize under it. But like all nice things they are dear. Glanbia sells them. Off the top of my head a 160' x 50' pit cost 2k. But if you paid a euro per bolt to do a tyre mat it would work out similar

I have the tyre mats few years now find them good, I open the pit a few times. Obviously that netting is easier, do you find there is enough weight in it, is silage underneath ok?

K.G.

pms7 wrote: »

I have the tyre mats few years now find them good, I open the pit a few times. Obviously that netting is easier, do you find there is enough weight in it, is silage underneath ok?

Loadal them on or do you roll back plastic

mr.stonewall

49801 wrote: »

If you’ve a telescopic be easier to handle

Truck tyre sidewalls look good to me... not sure if anyone doing them in Ireland though
https://www.rwn.org.uk/rwn-heavy-silage-covers-lorry-tyre-side-walls.htm
Supposed to be cheaper than mats.

They look the job, easy and quick to put on, clean an easy store. Wonder how do they cut the tyres

pms7

K.G. wrote: »

Loadal them on or do you roll back plastic

Front loader, so have to roll plastic

kevthegaff

I reverse dump trailer to edge of pit and fill up then pull back cover every few days

Yarrumkram09

They look a good job alright. What sort of price are they?..Currently using tyres here but id be worried about bits of steel wire falling down through the plastic from perished tyres, and would like to get away from tyres.

edit: replying to OP, just seen it was 3 years ago but mabye someone can give me advice?