for a spincast and protein feeders. What are y'alls experience and thoughts when looking to purchase a new 350-600 lb spincast and maybe a small protein feeder to go along side of it?

This subject has been broached before, but let's get an update on what's out there and the pros and cons for them.

I have a Treeline 350 lb. spincast and have had quite a few problems with it over the 2 1/2 years since purchased, paid $399.00 for it, considered All Season feeder that was $700.
Took the less expensive route based on good reviews on the Treeline and the perceived significant savings. The old adage "You Get What You Pay For" certainly applies here.
More than likely going to sell it and get a better quality stand and fill feeder..

Here are a couple of considerations with the no basket around the spinner design that I am leaning towards.

Monarch 500 pound deer feeder $500 plus tax Solar built.




Lamco 600 LB. Low & Throw Corn Feeder; MSRP PRICE $879.00, interesting their 350 lb. one sells for $799, so it seems for $80 more dollars makes sense to go 600 lb'er



Saw this listing for a Outcast feeder listed at Cabela's & Bass Pro Shop that looks exactly like my Treeline feeder except the base, maybe a Copyright infringement?

Treeline $399




Outcast.$449.

My newest is a Lamco Low and Throw, and I couldn’t be happier. I have several other types of feeders, but after getting the Lamco, I’d never buy another like them.

One thing I’ve never mentioned is the throw pattern of various feeders. All the others, since I had to squirrel proof them, drop the corn downward. That isn’t much of a problem, but it does lead to a hole being dug/eaten under the feeder. The Lamco doesn’t need squirrel protection, so it shoots corn at least 10 yards, so there’s a large area for the deer and hogs to wander around for corn. It keeps them in the area a bit longer and reduces the risk of putting a round through your feeder. Incidentally, I have learned how to patch feeders, but haven’t needed to for a few years. Progress…

I'm using the Academy Game Winner stand and fill feeders 250+ lbs which are $199.00 for 3 years now with no issues. On units that I don't run all year I pull batteries and timer unit just to keep out of the weather.

I have 5 of the lamco 350# feeders. They are nice, easy to use feeders. I also have a Treeline that I've had a couple of issues with, but for the most part, it's worked okay.. but I won't buy another one.

If feeding protein is your goal, I go with all seasons stand in fill, I’d do everything I could to keep pellets off the ground, May be better off just going to a larger trough style feeder like lamco or ASF trio

I have a 600# Treeline, I got it for $449 on sale, and I think the TSC mgr knocked off another $50 because it was still boxed and it took them 15-20 minutes to find it and get it out of the storage area. It had initial hiccups with the bracket. Customer service was good and I made the necessary mods to fix it. It did need a new battery this past weekend, (fingers crossed) which appears to have it running again. It's not the greatest design but it ran flawlessly for 14 mos, twice a day. It holds every bit of 600, maybe 650.

I also have two three-year-old MB Ranch Kings. Other than batteries, these have been flawless for three years in the field. But they're $900-1000 new these days.

If I had to buy a new feeder tomorrow, I can't honestly tell you which one I'd buy. I'd likely roll the dice on another Treeline, given the price. I am hog-free at the moment, and coons and squirrels don't mess with it. My cows haven't challenged either type.

I have been using a Triple C -12V feeder for 21 years and never had to replace anything on it. The paint is still good with only one or two places starting to chip off. The bad part is they don`t make them any longer.

I noticed Ramball is building feeders again. They're expensive, but will never have to be replaced. I have one I bought a few years ago from him that I keep as my home feeder, never an issue.

It's hard to beat the 600lb feeder that Buc-cees sells for $479, especially if you have a feeder pen so that the cows and hogs can't get near it.

This for me. ^^^^^

I have the Lamco 350#. It's been trouble free for 5+ years. I have the smaller one because it's here at the house. If I was going to get one for tnhe lease I would go with the 600#. If you can't get out there on a regular basis you're much less likely to run out before you can return to fill it.

We use six of the Hang 'em High feeders. Coon proof, squirrel proof, hog proof, everything proof! Only draw back is holding 300# of corn. A 600# feeder would sure cut down on number of trips in the off season. We use the winches set up for cordless drills to raise and lower. No hand cranking!

Stand and fill is a must.

Those feeders with the plates instead of the cages have been a PITA to work on should something go wrong. Hard to beat an Allseason stand and fill.

I bought a Ranch king Mighty buck about five years ago and love it. I run it year-round and have changed out the battery one time. Worth every penny in my opinion. I know as long as I keep corn in it, it will be feeding.

Built like a tank. The spinner plate is almost touching the bottom of the funnel so squirrels and coons can’t drop feed by spinning the plate. Solar panel charges it. I couldn’t be happier.

Lamco stand and fill for me. I have two of them and the only thing I have done to them in the last 8 years is to change the batteries. As mentioned before, it would be a pain to change the motor on it especially if it is full of corn.

Me too and it is awesome! Only problem I have with these is when I bought mine several years back it was $700ish, I want one for the house now and looked the other day they are now $1100 I am looking for a less expensive stand and fill alternative...

On another note, I also have a stand and fill feeder from Academy, much cheaper, that works OK but it is not steep enough inside. Last 75 or so pounds of corn won't fall down into the funnel.

Have a Ramball feeder going every day for over 8 years now with not a single issue in all that time. I also have a couple of Spin Tech feeders that are even older but I’ve had a few small issues over the years. My ASF feeder is 6-7 years old and have had timer issues but overall it’s been good. Newest is the Treeline 600lb from last year. I like the design but have had timer issues with it also.

HB !

X3

You need to lube that spinner plate plastic grommet every now and then(dry lube was best luck but requires more applications ) . That plastic grommet will pop out. I’ve had a dozen of them, only one I use now is in road feeder.

I have two of his, lost a motor, but not hard to change out, but does take some thinking a head.

Over all it’s the only feeder I wouldn’t think twice with cows ….or bears

You'd need to add a bear-proof latch for that gravity lid.

Think his new one have latch. One of ours came with pad lock latch, but yes if in bear country ask him to add Chain link or similar pad lock latch

Ive had great luck with boss buck through the years

I have several of Ramballs, really like them for their durability, but there is a design flaw he may have fixed since. The lower plate where the wire tube goes through to the motor allows some corn to get in the motor box. With enough time, the motor box becomes filled with corn which then starts to ferment and rot the motor away. I have had to replace nearly every motor due to that cause. A simple duck tape fix solves the problem, but doing those plate type feeder repairs is not the easiest by yourself. More duck tape to help hold things up is a real solid third hand.
I have also had a two where the solar panel went out, and had to be replaced. Makes it interesting when the sizes don't match, but that's what a drill is for. But, those have been pretty good and solid for many years.

I have one ASF branded stand and fill 600# which aside form the solar panel assembly being jacked with by coons has been pretty solid for a long time.

I have one ASF built buccees feeder that has been a trip. Motor is out on it now. I have replaced timer on it already. It is going to be an interesting fix, but I will get it done when I get around to it. It is a house feeder and not a hunting feeder sp priority is low on that.

Ranch Kings are the best out there in my opinion, but have gotten very pricey.

The ASF stand and fills (not the buccees version) seem to be a good middle ground.

I don’t see a way for anything to pop out. It appears to be a closed system to me.

'Had the same problem on 2. stxranchman on here happened to be with me when they quit and helped me figure it out. Nasty. 'Had one lid blow open and bend too. It's chained and both have rocks on 'em now. (Never any mojados spotted that would have left it open.)

Texas Wildlife Systems (Brady) has excellent 1000# units, of which I've bought two, but we're getting into a very pricey level. These are now the two I keep going year-round.

I’ll vote for home made. Still using 2 crank up feeders my grandpa built… he died when I was in kinder garden and they weren’t new then. Have replaced the timer and solar panel. My kids are hunting them, that’s 4 generations so far.

I absolutely love these. Outstanding design. Easy to fill and program. Run like a champ.

I use the ASF 1,000 pound timed feeder and it works great. For cheap, larger capacity spin cast feeders, I’ve good luck with 600 pound Buc ee’s. For more money, the 800 pound Capsule and 500 pound Monarch have worked great. I have switched all my feeders to stand and fill, which makes life much easier.

Dang.

Klappenbach has one and the same situation as described by Red. Damn thing loses no corn, alwas throws and I hate it.

Several years ago, it was dirty as all get out so Klappenbach got his FIL to spruce it up. Came back with the lid havng a fresh coat of white paint on it. When queried as to this, the FIL said, the existing white paint had become splotchy. The existing "white paint" was bird droppings.

Again, Bossbuck, makes good feeders, especially the protein feeders. Might wanna look into them. All Seasons were pretty good too.

Stand and fill are a great way to save a lot of trouble. I am certainly glad the manufacturers came around to this idea.

Hud, that is hilarious. I have had some times when I shoot a hog and lose it close by to a feeder but can't find it, and sure enough the vultures will find my feeder as a perch to sit on all day. And then cue the white splotched paint. Good thing is it does wash off when we get rain. I recognize down in your neck of the woods, rain is a commodity traded like precious metals.

I had two boss buck 1000# protein feeders, dang things were so tall I had to tip toe on my upright tailgate just to reach them and then put the bag up to head level to dump it in.

I have switched to ASF stand and fill 1000# protein feeders and have zero regrets. Way easier to fill, and while not a true stand and fill, I can easily stand in my mule bed or truck bed and dump bags at leg level. Much safer and way easier, esp in the summer heat.

I've used all sorts, but have been buying Outdoor Addiction stand and fills lately, and have had great success with them.

I think he is no longer making feeders. I texted a few times and nothing. A relative told me he's done. I had to 'coon proof the wires going down to the motor.

I got one from him last year and some feeder boxes and materials, as he lives just down the road from me. I remember you posted something last summer and I texted to ask him if he was closing shop. He said you might have someone else's number because he personally never got your texts. He said, though they make feeders between other jobs, and those often sell out fast, they were still making them. Forgot to relay that to you, then. Oops! If you need to contact him at some point, lemme know and I can send you a message with his contact. or maybe try their website?: https://oahunting.com/contact-us

He gave me his personal phone number. We exchanged texts several times before he delivered 2 to my house. I didn't get the number wrong.

I had a string of about 20 feeders that went out with too big of holes in the plates and the bottom motor boxes either almost or completely welded up by my hand at the time instead of tacked to allow water to get out. Took almost a year to figure out what went wrong on the batch. I drove all over the state fixing whoever called me about them or mailed new motors if theirs got flooded out. We’ve changed several thing on these.

Instead of the top x members and chain for the lid, The bin is broke at the top and the lid has a slide catch that locks it open from wind in any direction. We also added a very simple latch to it to keep the lid down.

On the bottom, I made the gap where the corn flies much smaller, 7/8” or so. With that we’re able to make the plates a smaller diameter, and I added the spikes to the ends to make it a little more uncomfortable for the critters.

I added a corn cutoff down low as well in case you need to work on the motor. To lock it open just slide it out, and drop a 1/4” bolt through the holes to keep animals from bumping it closed.

The motor box is bolted into rivnuts so only one side needs to spin to be removed.

The motor itself has a little bit of up and down adjustment to control the rate of corn.

We switched from powdercoat to an industrial enamel. Materials and components have not gone down to anywhere near they were pre Covid, so I figured that would be the place where we would use some skimpflartion versus going thinner on material. Bins and legs are all 12ga sheet metal, we are braking a lot of it in house with our new equipment which has made it cleaner and a little quicker. I may give an option to upgrade the skids to something thicker, we did have one fall off a truck bed going through the ranch and bent the legs a little bit.

Looks Industrial

Ranball, let me be clear, i wasnt complaining, just letting people know of my discovered design flaw and hoped you had fixed it since that first batch went out. The build quality is second to none, and they will last a lifetime. And now that i know what/how to fix on the corn plate, its all good.

The improvements you talk about and show look really good and demonstrate some serious thought. The corn cut off is genius.

I would buy again from you in a heart beat, but the good thing is i dont need any new ones right now.

We have 11 I think, we had one or two motors go out, and figured out it was the plates and where the sq tubing with wire intersected. Easy fix. I used 2 strips of HD duct tape or aluminum duck tape. That was 6 or 7 years ago. No issues since. I ordered mine with detachable legs, but hindsight would have been easier to move with skids, but with the removal able legs you aren’t pushing it over.

I like the upgrades he did on the above.

I had 7 of the old man TWS feeders, I HATED them, I took a cutting touch and welder to modify them. I still have one I don’t use, but it was a PAIN to check timer, and the cage wasn’t big enough and coons would break those eliminator spin plates. I raised all the feeders, put box on side for timer/battery and made cage exponentially bigger

Im sure they changed the design by now though, I haven’t looked in a while

Varmint plates now and battery/timer is up high, eye level, outside the corn hopper. Compartment is a little small for the battery, but works.

Way it should be. I used an electrical pull breaker box. Think all feeder companies go through evolution updates.

I take the worst cracker box welder made(and I can’t weld) I weld a square, 4 leg cheap heavy duty scrap angle iron square, where the $10 barrel sits in the top. I make it stand and fill…no coon can get to the spinner unless he’s a giraffe, plus I use the eliminator plate(the real one) I use the $169 Evolution All Season. And I’m done.

Gotcha. No excuses there, then.

After using multiple makers over 30 years I recommend you not buy just on price.....make sure it's sturdy against live stock and big hogs......stand and fill.....and not varmit cage because it doesn't spread the corn out efficiently causing it to pile up next to the feeder......go with varmit plates and you will see more deer feeding at your feeder because it spreads it out and it doesn't pile up....

A few years ago I bought a feeder from a guy who made them in Greenville. They were about $550-$600 if my memory
serves me right. That thing was built like a tank and real heavy. He used his tractor to load it up in my truck bed. Hogs couldn't tear it up.
I really liked it and tried to stop by his place and get another one but it seemed like no one was ever home so I never got
a second one. I live up North and couldn't seem to connect with Ramball to get one of his feeders but they sure looked
like good feeders and were also well built. Back then his prices were good too but inflation has skyrocketed prices.
Here is that feeder:

^^^^Good advice here, especially about the plates and not cages.

U
And 12v over 6v.

^^^^^^^This and one other reason for the paltes is that with any varmint protection the feed will accumulate at the bottom, as previously mentioned. The dug out spot under the feeder will become a small pond after every rain. It's a nasty mess.

Heavier gauge box is better to keep pigs from camping out and bumping it all...night...long when it gets low. Of course, you can stake the legs down (if you're not in a rock garden, like me). Heavier gauge is also better if aoudads are around. Not unlike some Dodge drivers, they'll just RAM it!

Now if certain idiots in the hill country would stop stocking aoudads to make a quick buck.

.
Bought one of these last year . First stand and fill . Seems very heavy duty with quality timer. Hogs haven’t fazed it . Will know in time how it holds up.

They make some good feeders too. I talked to Logan several times on whether I should just be dealer for him vs build our own.

Looks stout for sure, but doesn't look like it has much to defend against the varmints, though...

I like the Treeline especially for the price. Thinking of getting another this year. All metal and with the spin plate no issues with racoons or cows bumping all the corn out. I did have to drill out the spiner bracket per customer service and had no issues since. Great customer service too.

Saturday when I filled the feeder I noticed water had leaked into the feeder by the timer box again even though I sealed the base of the solar panel on the outside.
So I hope you are right about the great customer service, I left a message for call back on leak and other issues that I have had with mine.

That’s not good. I need to double check mine next trip.

my SIL has a few GreenGo feeders that he has been really happy with. Only issue he's had on one was rats eating the wiring to the motor between the shield and motor.

I have one of Ramball's, been running great for 6? years. I also have an All Seasons Stand and Fill timed protein feeder. I don't feed protein for rack development but as an attractant for does as well bucks from September-November.

Best for the $, for me without a doubt the one's I build on 55 gal barrels. I buy components from West Texas Feeder Supply and for about $350.00 I have a solar 12v that's 100% varmint proof with no cage, slings corn 90' and made from the same components that all the best feeders are built around.

Just yesterday I ordered a 12v complete control unit, accessory solar panel to mount to the barrel with a metal protective cable and battery. It was delivered today. Very well constructed housing, The Timer, good motor........I also have a source for a varmint proof kit. A hunter I recently met has a patent on these and a good fabricator for a really good design. It's an assembly of two plates that attaches to the bottom of a barrel. The bottom plate has a series of reliefs that are bent up to propel corn up and way out. Genius design. He sells these on FB market place and word of mouth from his home. It does take some time to put everything together but when I'm done I have exactly what I want that works really well. (Like my blinds)

Lamco and done.

I have Lamco stand and fills and love them.

If you want more capacity and don’t mind climbing a ladder to fill. Then check out the Atascosa Wildlife Supply feeders.

Agree with the Lamcos. Ten years now and not a problem.

Yup, Lamco. Standing on a tailgate or climbing a ladder, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze anymore... even if you save a few bucks. Within reason, I'm more interested in value vs price.

Only thing I don’t like about lamco on both the trough and low is they need springs on all four sides, or a lockable latch. Either wind blow lids off or illegals left them off or both

I have 6 of different makes and models. Most of them work well. Grandsons do all of the filling for the old guy. Helps to have a tractor with a front end loader.

I know there is always a 1st time but, I have never had an issue. If ty be an issue, they make things called rocks.

I don't know if I have seen a feeder lid with latches on all four sides.

Same. Never had an issue in the panhandle, and it don't get much windier than that. Now, I do think it's important to stay on top of replacing the rubber latches before they get brittle, but that's not a frequent chore either. But if a fella wanted to, he could easily craft up some solid latches to withstand anything really, on any feeder, that requires human manipulation to remove.

I lost lids in both Brady and Laredo, Laredo could have been illegal opening taking corn and then leaving unlatched. Brady could have been cows, but I did have to replace one in Brady

Big Rocks ended up on all of them but prefer not to have too, ASF stand full protein is same way it’s got stupid spring hooks

I thought yotes eating corn was pretty desperate, now illegals are too, pounding it into tortillas? Lol

I have had lids blow off my Lamco and EZ-Feeders, therefore I started putting
stones/rocks (similar in size to a cinder block) on top of most of my feeders.
If my feeder is in an area with a lot of trees with some wind protection then
those won't have a heavy stone/rock on the lid. Awful windy in West Texas
and western Oklahoma.

Or amazed we waste food on deer and javis

I've seen a trail cam pic of a family boiling it by a water trough. Yes, they knew, somewhat, what they were getting into. But, especially with little ones, I have a hard time laughing at that. No one wants to find a dead, dehydrated human infant in their deer blind either. That happens too.

Secure ALL of the border and remove the temptation. These people don't have the education level to fully realize what they're getting themselves into.

There’s only about a 5/8” gap for them to reach in and he uses an eliminator plate. Plenty secure, I asked him for a list of dealers when he relays it over I’ll post it up.

Ran across this feeder, looks interesting, does anyone have one?

TWS 600lb Lucky Buck Deer Feeders $800 · I

I have 2 of the 1000# version. So far so good.

That’s a pretty good looking feeder.

Guys on my lease got these this year. They had problems originally where it was dumping way too much feed, but I think they got that worked out by getting in there and adjusting the plate which wasn't super easy with the design. However, they seem like they are built like a tank and are very sturdy. I was impressed with the construction.

If the legs were angled out it would give it more satbility. I wouldn't worry about it when it was full, but if it got down towards empty I'd want to anchor it to the ground with some
T- posts. Can't see the contoller/timer but the feeder looks pretty stout.

Could they not set the run time down so that it would spin for fewer seconds?

agree, hogs would give it fits in my areas once it was down from full. t-posts would be a must.

They had it down to two seconds and it was still emptying at 10x the rate mine was.

They seem to like mine. (And somebody dropped an antler already.)

All Seasons Corn and Timed Protein on skids. Been using them for years. Zero issues.

Give Carl @ Bulverde Feed a call, you can't beat his prices

I wouldn't be interested in something I just paid $800.00 for and now I have to work on it to work properly.

I don't disagree with you. They weren't happy about it.