With the SwapTank system, Big Dutchman introduces at EuroTier 2014 a true innovation for the residue-free liquid feeding of pigs. The exceptionally variable system allows the exact mixing and dispensing of very small as well as very large feed quantities. Its highlight: There is no need for a separate rinse water tank!
Instead, two tanks of different sizes are sufficient. Both can be used either as mixing tank or as rinse water tank, depending on the presently required amount of feed. This is made possible by a new and unique control function of the Big Dutchman HydroMix liquid feeding computer. The new system reduces investment costs and improves accuracy as well as hygiene during feeding.
SwapTank is not only of interest to pig managers with large numbers of stock whose demand for feed increases significantly over time and which have to be supplied with feed optimally and without delay. It particularly has many advantages if the feed demands are very different, for example in mixed production systems with sows and piglets or piglets and finishing pigs, or in closed systems.
If the animals have to be supplied with a large quantity of feed, the Big Dutchman control computer selects the larger tank as mixing tank, while the smaller one functions as rinse water tank. Whenever smaller quantities are sufficient, the smaller tank is used as mixing tank and the rinse water is fed into the large tank and taken from there.
As the tanks are selected as necessary according to circumstances, the feed is mixed homogeneously and dispensed very accurately. Tank size and the requested feed quantity always match perfectly. The tanks are also emptied regularly, another factor which improves hygiene.