What Is a Silage Reclaimer?

A silage reclaimer is dedicated silage handling equipment designed to remove compacted forage from a horizontal storage structure. A typical self-propelled machine combines a rotating cutting roller or drum, a lifting frame, a collection system, and an elevator conveyor. The operator works down the silage face, and the reclaimed forage is carried directly to the discharge point.

Terminology varies by country. You may also see related equipment described as a silage loader, silage extraction machine, silage bunker unloader, silage facer, or silage defacer. These terms overlap, but the machines are not always identical. A facer attachment usually shaves material from the face and still relies on a wheel loader for collection. A self-propelled silage reclaimer normally cuts, collects, conveys, and loads in one workflow.

A cutting roller removes a controlled layer instead of prying large, uneven blocks from the silage face.

How Does a Silage Reclaimer Work?

On HerdMech's hydraulic silage reclaimer, every major function — travel, steering, lifting, reclaiming, and conveying — runs off the same hydraulic system, with an extraction rate rated up to 3,000 kg/h. The reclaim head itself is hydraulically driven, which HerdMech reports delivers roughly 80% more head power while cutting head weight by about 30% compared to its earlier design — intended to reduce the top-heavy imbalance that can affect reclaim heads working at full reach. Alloy roller blades and an automatic parking brake round out the current specification; see the full spec sheet further down this guide.

Silage Reclaimer vs. Loader Bucket vs. Silage Facer

The right choice is not determined by herd size alone. Daily silage tonnage, bunker height, number of TMR batches, available labor, pad layout, and current feedout losses are more useful buying criteria.

How a Silage Reclaimer Can Help Cut Feed Waste

1. It limits unnecessary oxygen pathways

Oxygen is the trigger for aerobic deterioration at feedout. When a bucket pulls large chunks from the face, it can create cracks, cavities, and loosened zones extending behind the material being fed that day. A controlled cutting pass helps maintain a more uniform surface and reduces the amount of silage disturbed ahead of the feeding schedule.

2. It reduces loose silage left on the pad

Silage that falls to the floor and remains there between feedings is exposed to air for longer. It can heat, absorb dirt or water, and become difficult to include accurately in the next ration. A cut-and-convey system moves material directly toward the receiving wagon, reducing the opportunity for valuable feed to become pad waste.

3. It helps operators remove only what is needed

Over-removing silage may feel efficient during a busy morning, but the extra material can sit exposed for hours. A reclaimer gives the operator finer control over the volume taken for each TMR batch. Better control supports the simple feedout rule: expose as little as practical, as late as practical.

4. It can improve loading consistency

A TMR formula is only as consistent as the ingredients entering the mixer. Randomly sized blocks, loose spoiled material, or forage taken from different depths of an irregular face can increase variation between loads. More controlled silage removal supports repeatable weighing and loading, although the mixer, scale accuracy, loading order, and operator procedures still matter.

5. It reduces labor pressure at the feed center

Dedicated reclaiming equipment can combine cutting and loading into one sequence. On farms preparing several TMR loads per day, shorter and more predictable loading cycles can reduce machine waiting time and help the feeding crew stay on schedule.

What the Feedout Research Says

University of Wisconsin Extension explains that dry-matter losses accelerate after silage is exposed to oxygen and recommends maintaining a smooth, firm face while limiting removal to the quantity that will actually be fed. Its feedout guidance indicates that, under the stated density conditions, advancing the face by more than 6 inches (about 15 cm) per day helps support a target of less than 3% dry-matter loss during feedout.

Warm weather raises the risk. Separate Wisconsin guidance recommends a removal rate of at least 12 inches (about 30 cm) per day in summer to reduce heating and spoilage. These are management targets rather than universal guarantees: actual performance depends on crop moisture, packing density, storage geometry, climate, and feedout practice.

Michigan State University Extension also notes that a silage facer can improve consistency in feed quality and ration composition on farms handling large quantities of feed. The principle applies to a well-operated silage reclaimer: control the face, avoid excessive disturbance, and move the exposed forage promptly into the feeding system.

A Simple Way to Estimate the Cost of Feedout Loss

You do not need a perfect research trial to determine whether the problem deserves attention. Start with your own feed volume and a conservative estimate of avoidable loss.

To build a stronger estimate, record silage removed, silage delivered to the mixer, loose material left on the pad, discarded spoilage, feed temperature, loading time, and labor hours for two to four weeks. Repeat the measurements after changing equipment or operating procedure.

When Is a Silage Reclaimer Worth Considering?

A small farm with low daily silage use and a skilled loader operator may not need a dedicated reclaimer. Conversely, a larger dairy, beef operation, feed center, agricultural cooperative, or contractor may recover value through a combination of lower feed loss, faster loading, reduced labor, and more consistent batch preparation.

What to Look for When Choosing a Silage Reclaimer Machine

Match working height to the real face

Measure the highest safe working section of the bunker or pile, not only the wall height. The reclaim head must reach the top without encouraging undercutting or unstable overhangs.

Size output to your feeding window

Capacity should match daily tonnage, the number of batches, and the time available before feeding. A machine that is too small delays the mixer; an oversized machine may add unnecessary cost and make precise batch loading more difficult.

Check conveyor and discharge compatibility

Confirm that discharge height, reach, and direction suit your existing TMR mixer, feed wagon, or truck. The receiving equipment should be loadable without repeated repositioning.

Inspect the cutting system

Look for durable blades, accessible wear parts, and a cutting action that removes silage cleanly without excessive grinding. Preserving useful forage structure matters, particularly when long fiber is an important part of the ration.

Evaluate control, traction, and stability

Hydraulic travel, steering, lift, reclaim, and conveyor functions can make operation more precise. Braking, machine balance, visibility, and stable positioning are especially important when the reclaim head is raised.

Plan maintenance before purchase

Ask about blade replacement, conveyor-chain adjustment, bearings, hydraulic service points, cleaning access, electrical components, spare parts, remote support, installation, and operator training.

A Real Spec Sheet: What a Hydraulic Reclaimer Looks Like on Paper

Manufacturer spec sheets vary by model and region, but seeing one complete example makes the buying criteria above easier to apply in practice. Below is the current published specification for HerdMech's hydraulic silage reclaimer (model 9QQ-1600), shown here as a worked reference point rather than an industry-wide standard.

Specifications reflect published information at the time of writing and can change between production runs or by configuration. Confirm current figures directly with HerdMech before finalizing a purchase.

Best Practices for Operating a Silage Reclaimer

1. Work from the top downward. Avoid digging into the bottom first, which can create an unstable overhang.
2. Keep the face vertical and uniform. Do not chase isolated pockets and leave deep cavities behind.
3. Remove feed close to mixing time. Avoid reclaiming several hours or days of feed in advance.
4. Advance the full face at an appropriate daily rate. A narrow storage face is often easier to manage than a wide face that moves too slowly.
5. Keep the pad clean. Collect spilled forage promptly and prevent soil, standing water, or manure contamination.
6. Watch for heating. Compare silage temperature with ambient conditions and investigate persistent warm zones, musty odor, visible mold, or declining intake.
7. Protect people around the face. Never allow anyone beneath an overhang or close to a tall, unstable silage face. Follow the equipment manual and local farm-safety requirements.
8. Maintain the cutting and conveying system. Worn blades and poorly adjusted chains reduce cut quality and increase downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions