About Forage Wagons
Also called “forage boxes” or “sileage wagons,” forage wagons collect processed crops like silage and hay in large quantities for transport. They may be attached to a forage harvester or be pulled by a tractor or truck and trail the harvester to the rear or side. In some cases, forage wagons possess a front pickup mechanism and can collect windrows of cut forage crops from the ground.
CLAAS CARGOS 750 Forage Wagon
Forage wagons built to work with a forage harvester typically feature speedy unloading capabilities, and many manufacturers offer these boxes with front, rear, or front and rear unload options. For effective cleanout, wagons might use beaters and augers in conjunction with a floor apron for uniform discharge from the forage box. To unload in the field, some forage wagons also feature a trap door that allows the operator to drop silage without stopping. Forage wagons may be equipped with a roof, a tarp, or have an open top, depending on the crop being collected and the distance and speed of transport. Box sizes, floor lengths, and capacity vary widely among manufacturers and models.
Self-Loading Wagons
Self-loading forage wagons can be pulled directly over crop windrows and use rotary pickups and knives to grab, cut, and move the material into the wagon, saving time and labor. Self-loading wagons come in a wide variety of capacities, ranging anywhere from 800 to 4,000 cubic feet.
Additional Features
Modern forage wagons are often versatile and offer a dual-purpose design that makes them equally good at picking up cuttings during the spring and summer and hauling silage in the fall. With higher-capacity models, manufacturers tend to include heavyweight running gears and roof or side extensions to expand the wagon as needed. Some forage wagons are equipped with adjustable pickups and chopping systems to condition crops and bolster forage supplies while still maintaining a tight cutting schedule. For example, a forage wagon might include a staggered beater or knife design that continuously turns material while loading and unloading.
Find The Right Forage Wagon
As models scale up in price and capacity, buyers will typically also find models equipped with more convenience features, such as onboard knife sharpening systems and built-in scales. Prices for high-end, self-harvesting forage wagons can cost upwards of $200,000. You’ll find new and used forage wagons for sale from manufacturers such as Gehl, H&S, John Deere, Meyer, Miller Pro, CLAAS, and many others on TractorHouse.com.
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