The stand and fill feeders that have the flat plates at the bottom to deter varmits are all the rage and for good reason. They are thought to be varmint proof but I do not think they are. Its been mentioned a little on here before but I feel its worth getting specific about. Most dont like the cages cause they knock corn down and the eliminator type spinner isnt fool proof either. I think the plate style is best but the manufacturers need to tweak it some.
We have 3 different styles, including Bucees that are all very similar. The plates are about 23 to 24" across. This makes it about a 9 to 10" reach for a coon to the spinner. Its not easy but if a coon has long arms, is hungry and industrious, then he can reach the spinner. It must not be easy cause they dont drain them. I have meant to put up a camera with video to show it but I havent. I have a lot of pics with them spending a lot of time there. I also closely document usage and some that have more coons are definitely going through more corn. Yes, corn will sit on the plates and thats easy for them to get, but this is more than that.
I plan to extend the plate the 2.5" or so to get them out to the same as the hopper that serves as the top plate. I hope thats enough, until they start using sticks which maybe they already have. If anyone has any more ideas about this or how to fix then let us all know. For those of you that dont monitor your usage closely, you just wouldnt know.

The long armed coons at my feeder spin the TSC feeder plate pretty well. Sometimes 2 at a time in pictures with their arm in up to their tits. The bucks seem to like the corn on the mat under the feeder.

Pootie, Im not familiar with TSC feeders. Do you think they are about the same size plates(23/24") that I referred to?

Just deal with it. Raccoons need love too. You'll be okay.

I extended the bottom plate to about 2in past the bottom edge on the buc-ees feeders used a heavy gauge screened metal used the same mounting points plus added another between each one as you can see in this pic it’s holding up well . And yes this pig is dead.

The TSC feeder was made by the same company making the Bucees feeder. Same but different - smaller hopper 350-400#, not galvanized, etc. I'll check plate size next time I'm out if I don't forget. Plan is to trap the coons with the long arm gene and relocate them.

Where is SAHunter when I need him

Why not use the "Eliminator" spinner plate. Being spring loaded it closes the flow of corn when the motor stops.

Lamco Low and Throw feeders. Coons can’t reach their thieving paws far enough. Only feeder I ever had that was coon proof.

IF, I need to replace one, I'll replace it with a Lamco. Lots of good reviews on here. I'm up to 7 spots this season, plus a couple night feeders for pig traps. That's plenty for me to handle by myself.

I have raved about Lamco for years but it often seems to fall on deaf ears. So many always think purchase price should always be the primary determinant. Cheaper can secure trouble. Daddy always said buy the cheapest and the whole purchase price is at risk. Pintos never drove like BMWs. Didn't look for the cheapest girl when I got married and boy did I "succeed" there. Lamcos be bullet proof.

You are borrowing trouble when trying to take on coons. They have more time than you. They are like the illegals stealing Tony's water. Intellect does not come into play, but desire and persistence are in their favor. Trapping will dent them only until resources explode where replacements will move in.

Well said. But a bigger bottom plate should solve all ills.

Pretty sure they engineered these plates with the size of coon arms in mind. Not entirely certain, but that would make sense. I think a coon with the arm length required would weigh say 75 pounds.

I've been trying to "proof" my feeders for 40 years, and the best scheme I've come up with is using a bunch of DP's and declaring open season on the masked bandits 24/7/365. I start with setting the traps under and immediately around the feeders. Then I slowly work my way out, on the game trails in the in the direction of the nearest water source. Last trapping station is at the tanks (when there is water in them). I then start the cycle again, when my game cams begin sending pictures of their activities again. I haven't fixed the problem, but I no longer find game cam pics with a half dozen of them around and under the feeders!

Agreed, I’m sure they designed them with the length of coon arms in mind. I just think the model they used wasn’t a long arm one. I’m out here right now putting a few cameras to video to see what happens. Regardless, I plan to extend the plates when time allows.

I’m too exhausted to elaborate but the picture should do it.
This is the one and only coon I have been able to measure. No reason to assume hes the biggest or littlest. Stretching out his arm is 11”. We have 3 models of feeders with plates and it’s 9 to 9.5” to the spinner.
I rest my case.

I have officially seen it all now.

Okay, official it is. The solution to your problem is simple really. Point the cameras away from the feeders so you do not see what is bothering you.

Wow, we could just quit watching CNN too.
Wonder what that coon weighs…….

I dunno, really didn't think the arms would be that long.

I think Creek may be working on a spread sheet showing weight, age, arm length(R and L), height while standing back legs. I would invite him out to do his research but I don’t think he mops…,

You could put a corn bank in your barrel problem would be solved.

Never heard of a corn bank. I will probably not be the one to eat that first oyster. Seems like more parts to go bad.

I’ve been using them for 5 years now with no issues.

Cornbank. I had never heard of them till now.