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Combining size with strength, Art's Way's new heavy-duty forage box is designed with the commercial farmer and livestock producer in mind.

"The new forage box has a rugged, robust design, the materials it's made of are chosen for their durability," said Guadalupe Diaz, design sales engineer at Art's Way. "It will provide years of trouble free life."

The forage wagon box is designed for a stable, smooth ride as well. The chassis features three-ply springs for excellent stability when going up a hillside or along a highway. Cross members are integrated into both walls of the frame to eliminate twisting action.

In extremely wet conditions, 52-inch axle spacing accommodates larger tires with adequate clearance to prevent mud from locking up the tires.

A modified center spring rocker allows 50 percent more axle movement compared to conventional over-the-road spring ride systems found under competing boxes. Drum brakes on all four wheels deliver unsurpassed stopping capability. Hydraulically actuated, the brakes can be used with tractor brake valves or standard tractor remote.

A swivel hitch with adjustable height fits any drawbar configuration. An approximate 2,800-lb hitch weight when empty provides exceptionally smooth trailing and handling as well as eliminates drawbar "slapping" when loading the wagon from back to front.

Space between the chassis and the forage box was kept at a minimum to maintain a low center of gravity for better handling.

The forage box is an all-welded design for greater strength and features #4 polished stainless steel sides. Not only is the stainless steel much stronger than a corrugated steel design, it doesn't rust in the acidic environment of forage harvest.

Made from ¾-inch Densilite poly, the floor is impervious to moisture and acid and expands and contract very little. The floor is fastened to the frame with stainless steel hardware. Epoxy primer extends the life of painted components.

The new forage box has both front and rear unload.

The front unload system has four aggressive spiral-type beater bars with long tines to deliver controlled crop flow and prevent the cross apron from filling during loading. This system allows more filling in the forage box front area.

Spring-loaded beater drive chains and apron chains make for smooth action. Greasable beater bearings are banked together for easy maintenance and long life.

An optional cross apron extension is integrated into front unload system with a sequence valve for automatic and convenient operation, preventing the cross apron from moving with the extension in transport position.

The scale option provides 4 point measuring for high accuracy product tracking. A hydraulic rear tailgate opens automatically when rear unload hydraulics are engaged. It pivots up away from crop to ensure unhindered discharge of material. Oil lines to rear unload are 3/4 -inch to provide high-speed discharge. Depending upon tractor capability, unloading can be done in 60 seconds or less.

The tailgate functions completely on hydraulics, eliminating the need for a latching mechanism. Poly bushings on the pivot arm provide a low maintenance durable connection for operation.

Contact Art's Way for more information about its new Commercial Forage Box via phone, email or web: 1-712-864-3131 * sales@artsway-mfg.com * www.artsway-ag.com.

Celebrating its 60th year of serving the agriculture industry, Art's Way manufactures and distributes farm machinery niche products including animal feed processing equipment, hay and forage equipment, manure spreaders, sugar beet defoliators and harvesters, plows, reels for combines and swathers, land preparation and maintenance equipment. Art's Way also designs and builds Modular Calf Care Buildings and Hog Care Buildings and Calf Care Flex Stalls.

Headquartered in Armstrong, IA, Art's Way has five manufacturing facilities. They are located in Iowa, Ohio, and Ontario.