After looking at pricing on new feeders I've decided I can build my own for far less. All in, parts will cost me about $100 and the labor is free. (If you don't count the cost of beer) My question is this, they're going to be 55 gallon food grade drums, is a funnel absolutely necessary, or is it more of a recommendation?

No, a funnel is not necessary but after you have to clean it out every so often if you don't put one in. If you leave that corn down around the bottom edges for a couple of years it will break from ever building one without a funnel after that. Nasty is all I can say

A bit of fermentation?

Spend $20 at Basspro for an adjustable funnel, you wont regret it.

More corn sitting to long. Then getting brown bugs and weevils in it that turn it to powder. It then turns to mush or sludge. Might even get a few maggots in it.

Ok. No desire for maggot infested corn. Material price just went to $120.

It also helps with the flow of the corn. Ime it sometimes tends to clog at the opening without a funnel. I went with steel funnels.

good kits at bossbuck..

Also it will stop throwing corn when it gets low....it builds up and empties right at the hole.

As stated, go with a galvanized metal funnel. You'll be happy you did in the long run.

I found a lid to a Weber grill on the side of the hwy. Have been using it for a funnel for a long time

I didn't put a funnel in my homemade feeders. I drilled holes in the bottom of the 55 gallon drum so water can leak out, haven't had a problem with spoiled corn.

Having said that, I have some thin scrap metal lying around and have been thinking about making a funnel.

you will get corn accumulation and rotting around the edges of the bottom of the barrel from sitting there so long that can't fall through the center hole and onto the spinner plate. It's not for water. No way to get around it except a funnel plus it feeds a little "smoother"

never used s funnel. Never had a problem with rotted corn etc. only time that happened was when I used s plastic lid and critters chewed a hole it and it rained and corn molded.

I like for there to be a little corn left in the bottom of my barrel in case I show up and forgot to fill barrel. I just shake and a it and a little falls out.

I have always used funnels in feeders that I've built. You're gonna have corn along the feeder sides if yhou don't have funnel. They are not expensive.

I have built probably 10 and don't use funnels. I do insist on a metal lid with a 3-4 inch lip. It keeps out any rain or moisture and the vibration of the spinner when it throws, prevents build up. Keep corn in "em and they work great!

USE A FUNNEL. Do it right the first time. No matter whether you use metal or plastic funnel. I build Winch feeders all the time and have never had a customer complain about the HCR plastic funnel. It is very thick but no matter which way you go you will end up with a "gooder" result, and be happier in the long run.

Bought the funnels yesterday.

You'll be glad you did!

Before you cut the legs you should strongly consider a stand and fill. If you put a pen around it you don't need to elevate it to where you have to use a ladder. Just put a good coon cage around the bottom of the barrel. Much safer feeder to fill and less material.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbth...ers#Post5746946

Legs are already cut. I made the height so that the top of the barrel will be at 7' and I stand at over 8' on my pickup bed. The motors are Primos Vaults so, according to their website, I shouldn't have to worry about coons getting it off the feeder plate. I guess time and experience will tell if that's or not. I'm setting em up at the lease this weekend with cams, so we'll see how they're doing in about a month.

If you have hogs they will destroy it eventually without a pen around it. You could always make a door panel to back your truck into. This is another good reason to shorten the legs so you can just build a good strong pen and not worry about using your truck bed or a ladder. Been there and done it many times your way and ends up costing alot of time and money when they knock it over usually when it's full or corn. Good luck.

I have three of the Primos Vaults. Two have been ruined by coons. They work and work on the feeder plate until they weaken the spring. The other has a screen around it and is still working.

I have several of the Primos Vaults and they work awesome with a few adjustments. 1) Where the base and motor housing come together with wing nut/bolt, put silicone in the gap, so corn doesn't fall in there. If coons see the corn, they will stop at nothing to get it. I also silicone where the base screws onto the bottom of the feeder. 2) Make sure to set out some duke dog proof traps with corn in them for bait this time of year. Coons will find the corn on the ground and come. The traps will catch a couple and then keep them away. I trap them for a couple months and it keeps them away for a long time. In cold months, they seem to come back and it is time to set them again. 3) Once a year, let all the corn run out of the feeder and take the bottom section off, and grease the spinner shaft. I use spray silicone grease. I have 3 feeders with this setup/maintenance and they have been going for 3 years with zero problems.

You will be amazed at how much corn you don't go through since coons are spinning the plate and wind isn't blowing it away as well. If all the feeders on your place are done like this, the coons learn very quick that there is no easy meal. If you have a couple feeders that are like most where the coons can see the corn on the plate, they will continue to attack your primos vaults because they know there is corn and the motors is the key to releasing it. Don't under estimate them coons, they are smart.

Ok, Primos Vault guys, I need help! On all three feeders, I have adjusted the height of the motor, I adjusted the spin speed and I'm still getting a TERRIBLE throw. A 5' radius at best. What else can I try? I've given up for today, but am gonna go mess with em again in the morning.