The Ingenuity of Pork Producers

Call it inventive, resourceful, creative or just plain desperate (I’m kind of kidding…); pork producers have the most interesting tricks hidden up high in those coverall sleeves of theirs. Spending time at industry trade shows and conferences, I’ve heard a lot about different contraptions producers have rigged up to make any job a little easier. It always impresses me. I may be biased, but pork producers come up with some great ideas to simplify tasks and improve their operation’s efficiency.

Oftentimes they don’t realize their own cleverness until someone else makes a note of it. Take my dad, for instance. Most of the PigEasy products were developed with only our farm in mind and weren’t put on the market until an outside consultant noticed it on a walk through and mentioned to him that it would be beneficial for other farms to use.

Today’s trick isn’t some new and exciting product we’ve spent years developing, but it gives an example of how a little handiness can make a huge difference in streamlining daily tasks.

When we began AI-ing sows over 20 years ago, Dad wanted to keep the AI supplies organized and in one spot. He didn’t want that spot to be in the way and also didn’t want it to slow down the process by keeping it stationary. After noticing the top of the g-stalls were connected via two rods, Dad decided to make up a tray that could use the rods as a track.

The roller tray is made from a light angle iron and 1/4" thick plastic sheet. He bought small lawn mower wheels, cut off the rubber and installed them on a 1/2” rod.

Some simple cutting and welding is all it took to make the roller tray and it has helped speed up and simplify AI-ing sows at KFI. We still use the originals today.

As a pork producer, you have a never-ending list of tasks and any tool that makes your day easier is well worth the upfront time it takes to put it together.

That’s why we’re called PigEASY. We believe simplifying daily chores can make a huge impact on the success of your sow farm.

Until next time,

Katie

Tuesday’s Trick of the Trade: Ear Tagging

KFI began a new program some time ago that required all pigs to be tagged on both ears Day 1-2. We quickly got set up to tag hundreds of pigs a day; everything seemed straightforward and efficient. That was until we observed the toll it took on our staff. Our KFI crew was burning out rapidly and who could blame them? They were squeezing the tagger on both ears of hundreds of wiggling pigs while hunched over holding them in place. Whew! That’s a lot to ask someone to do day in and day out.

Dave knew he had to figure out a solution when his employees began to dread the task at hand. He had to #1: eliminate the repetitive squeezing, #2: somehow find a way to more efficiently organize all the tags before they are applied to the pigs, and #3: speed up the process. 

With collaboration, the PigEasy ID Cart was developed. It wasn’t surprising the benefits of using the ID Cart blossomed after using the first prototype. Because maybe you’re like me and prefer to read fast, I compiled a list of the Top Benefits of the PigEasy ID Cart:

1) Saves your Hands and Back

To tag pigs with the PigEasy ID Cart, the operator standing upright, simply holds the pig in one hand, positions the ear with the other and steps on the pedal that applies the tagger. That’s it. This means no more squeezing and no more crouching to tag pigs. Not only do you save your hands and back from the complications of the repetitive, strenuous task, but you also get rid of the typical fatigue that shows up quickly into this daily chore.

What this means for you if you’re a

Sow Farm Employee:  You save your body from the arduous job of tagging and are able to be more effective in this task and throughout your shift each day.

Sow Farm Manager/Owner:  You increase efficiency, employee morale and retention while lowering risk of workmen’s comp issues in the future. (3 Words: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) 

2) Speeds Up the Process

The PigEasy ID Cart is set up as a two person job, so someone is always loading the taggers and the other is holding the pig and operating the foot pedals. With everything set up, in place and in close proximity, you can quickly tag a lot of pigs.

Tags are set up on the sheets prior to heading out to the farrowing barn so organizing is done before the task begins. This makes for a quick turnaround.

With everything operating smoothly and efficiently without fatigue, the KFI crew can tag a litter in about 2 minutes. (This is from the time they arrive to load the pigs in the cart, to finishing up the paperwork after all the pigs are tagged!)

3) More Uniform Application

Now, I understand that “fast” isn’t always better. But because the PigEasy ID Cart is operated by two foot pedals, the person tagging can use both hands to hold the pig and ear in place. It’s a lot easier to get the placement of the tag right when you’re not handling the tagger and the pig at the same time.

This leads to an increase in tag retention later in the wean to finish stage.

4) Increased Organization and Efficiency

One of the first prototypes on the farm

By having all the tags ready on the tagging sheet before you head out to the barns, you’ll have the tags already organized before things get hectic in the room. The tagging sheet is also designed so the tags won’t fall out if you were to drop it.

Speaking of the tagging sheet, there are trays underneath the hopper for 3 additional trays so you do not have to head back to the office when you empty one. If you tag by color, you can organize each tray to a different color and have it close by for simple switching.

Its holding hopper specifically designed for the cart is large enough for a full litter and deep enough so they can’t jump out.

The PigEasy ID Cart tags pigs quickly, accurately, and with a lot less effort compared to manual tagging. Take a look at this video to watch the KFI crew tagging in action:

If you have similar problems with tattooing, no problem! We can easily convert the ID Cart to accommodate tattooing.

Call (888) 354-0112 for pricing and details.

Until next time,

Katie

Chuck-It Bucket 1.0 to Today

When we launched PigEasy and set out to build the product line, adding the Chuck-It Bucket was a no brainer….

Long before it ever had a name, Dad built the Chuck-It Bucket for our sow farm to hold and handle pig mortalities and afterbirth.  He didn’t like the idea of full 5 gallon buckets spending days near the door waiting for the skid loader; the sight and the smells aren’t good for our employees and it’s simply inefficient.  Then you have the issue of the loader bucket. Who wants to clean that out twice a week or leave it dirty?

Of course a simple dumpster wouldn’t do for Dad. It had to completely empty so nothing could be left in to rot. The skid loader driver also needed to be able to drive right up to it and move it out of the bio-secure area.

The very first proto-type we've used on our farm for
the last 20 years!

Dad has updated the design since our very first prototype. But like with all of our products, the original is still used on the farm. This dumpster has lived through a lot and still works like a charm 2 decades later.

I think the greatest joy we have at PigEasy is to hear how our products simplify every day tasks and make things just as easy for others as they do for us.

Until next time,

Katie

For more information, visit www.pigeasy.com or call (888) 354-0112.

Jigs that Don't Involve Dancing

Tuesday's Trick of the Trade

On the farm and with PigEasy, we're all about making jigs to get the job done a little faster and a lot more smoothly. Templates also make each hole and cut more uniform, saving time later on during installation.

I have to say spending time making up jigs and templates originally sounded like a lot of excess work to me. I'd rather just jump in and get moving on the project, whereas Dad would gladly spend a couple hours making up the jig to perfectly fit the piece. Can you guess which one of us had the wrong idea? Abraham Lincoln had a perfect quote for this:


"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln



Even though I quickly jumped on board with the their way of thinking, it still baffles me at the amount of jigs and templates we have down at the shop. In addition to a drawer full, you can find templates and jigs all around that are used daily.

Having been there/done that with the farm, we have some templates ready to go for installation of PigEasy products.




The SnoutSpout template is a simple metal plate that fits snugly on the side of the SnoutSpout. Once you figure out how to install one SnoutSpout, drill those holes through the template and away you go preparing them for installation in the shop instead of at the site.






This template for installing the Lactation Boot on the outside of an existing feeder took some time to design. It's made with an option to either drill through the hole or a punch out to quickly plasma cut the hole for the Lactation Boot to stick through.





We also use a template for installing the water brackets on lactation feeders that's really simple and easy to adapt to any style.





That's the end goal with everything we develop and make here at PigEasy. We spend those 4 hours sharpening the axe so you can cut down that tree in two.


Until next time,

Katie

PVC Glue on Stainless Steel Nuts & Bolts

You can find PVC Glue at your local plumbing or
hardware store. 

Tuesday's Trick of the Trade

You may have noticed our Tricks of the Trade so far have focused on stainless steel and how to overcome the issues that arise when using the material.  While it’s not a producer’s goal to torment themselves and their help, the benefits of stainless steel certainly outweigh its headaches.

Today we're talking nuts and bolts... literally. We've all been in a situation where you are tightening or removing a stainless steel nut to/from a stainless steel bolt and even though they are both new, they seize together before you get anywhere, especially when using an impact wrench.

Here's a trick I’ve learned years back to prevent stainless steel threaded nuts and bolts from seizing.

PVC Glue (Cement)

Prior to threading on a stainless steel nut, apply a small amount of PVC glue to the first half of the threads with the brush.

Fasten the nut and go!

The glue helps lubricate, keeps the material cool and reduces friction, which prevents the nut from seizing onto the stud/bolt.

PVC Glue also works when you are trying to unfasten a previous stainless steel nut and bolt.  Apply the glue to the rest of the threads before removal.

Nut and bolt stayed cool to the touch and removed
easily with the PVC Glue.

Since Katie didn't believe me, I fastened and unfastened another bolt without the glue and the nut got hot and seized up on me before I could get it off.  A brother's favorite victory is proving his sister wrong!

Without the glue, the nut seized onto the bolt
and was hot to the touch.

We have used this on many projects and this is our go to when using stainless on stainless fasteners.

Have a great day,

- Ben

Pipe Thread Sealant vs. Teflon Tape

Tuesday's Trick of the Trade

Stainless steel is a great thing. It doesn’t rust and is very sturdy; two material qualities that are important when working with hogs.

Where stainless can go wrong is during threading.  Whenever we are at a show and mention a nipple seizing up on a stainless steel fitting, every producer winces because they themselves have been out in a G barn trying to unplug a nipple and nothing short of cutting it off will fix it.

This is one of the reasons we developed the SnoutSpout nipple bracket. It is made of glass filled polypropylene, a fiber infused plastic that is extremely sturdy yet cuts like wood.  Now for the best part; the stainless steel nipples won’t seize up on you!

The next question we typically get is whether or not to use Teflon tape to seal the nipple to the bracket.

A plumber friend of mine recently cleared up a minor misconception of threading.

Teflon Tape or Pipe Thread Sealant

The purpose of Teflon Tape is not to seal threads, rather it is to stop the two fittings from seizing together.  It may help with sealing, but that is not its main purpose.  If you are going to use a stainless steel nipple with a stainless steel fitting, the best product to use would be Teflon Tape alone or in combination with some pipe thread sealant.

Pipe Thread Sealant, though, is made to fill in the possible imperfections of threads of a male or female fitting to stop leakage around them.  This is what we suggest you use with the SnoutSpout, as there’s no concern of the nipple seizing inside its female threads. 

Now we have a trick for applying Pipe Thread Sealant.  Instead of applying directly to the male threads of the nipple, we found it’s advantageous to apply the sealant around the first few thread grooves of the female fitting (SnoutSpout). As you turn to insert the nipple, the sealant spreads around on the inside, instead of being pushed to the outside, as it can be when applying directly to the male threaded nipple.

 

Ben likes to add that if you are in a jam in the barn, latex hog marking chalk is a good substitute for pipe thread sealant.

What is a trick you use to seal your fittings?

                                 -   Dave

Drilling through Stainless Steel

Tuesday's Trick of the Trade

Stainless steel is the material of choice for many purposes in a hog barn. What would hog production be without stainless steel? But then there comes a time when you need to repair or remodel the stainless steel equipment and your first thought is, “Well, I better buy a lot of bits.”

When you take up this nearly impossible task, the typical guy response to material resistance is to run the drill faster while pushing harder. You shift it up to the highest speed. (At Klocke Farms, the term would be “letting it rip, tater chip!”) Within seconds, the tip of your drill bit looks more like a branding iron, blazing red.  You mutter, “I’ll sharpen that up someday” as you place it in the drawer also known as the Drill Bit Graveyard.

A few years back someone gave me this tip. It has benefited me greatly and I’d like to pass it on to you.

PVC Cleaner

PVC Cleaner can be found at your local
hardware store or plumbing retailer.

DISCLAIMER*** PVC cleaner is flammable. You need to keep this in mind as a spark could cause a serious problem. I’ve never had any issues with it, but it is important to take note and be cautious.

1.  You need to start with a good quality drill bit. Top of the line is not a necessity, but now that you won’t be going through a bunch of them, you can spend more money on quality.

2.  Next, you need a little bit of patience. It does require stopping several times to reapply the PVC cleaner for every hole you drill, depending on the thickness of the steel.  I’m not sure why it works, but it seems to me that the cleaner keeps the bit cool to prevent the cutting edge from being burnt or damaged from overheating.

3.  Typically it is best to start with a center punch to make a point or divot to prevent the drill bit from walking on you.

4.  Dip your drill bit into the PVC cleaner and start drilling. Using your variable speed trigger while applying appropriate down pressure, vary the speed of your drill bit until you find the speed that gives you the best results. It is typically lower to mid speeds and not wide open. It will drill well for several seconds, but the cleaner will wear off, so you may have to dip it a couple times when drilling the hole.

I’ve found it better to stop drilling and dip your bit more often than not. It will keep your good bit cutting and working much longer and your sanity intact!

PVC cleaner on a drill bit will not make a bad bit work well. Once the bit is dull, into the graveyard it goes, so that’s why it’s important to start off with a good bit.

If you do this and dip often, you’ll be able keep that bit in use much longer.

While we haven't personally tested it out, our feeder manufacturer recently recommended Elmer's Glue as an option.  What trick do you have for drilling through stainless steel?

Hope this helps.

- Dave