Description
The LM Bateman Tombstone Cattle Ring blends heavyweight construction with animal-friendly ergonomics in a circular feeder that genuinely reduces hay loss. Delivered as three galvanised panels, it bolts together quickly, stands firm against rough treatment, and serves horned cattle or horses equally well. With a 610 mm skirt and a roomy 2,500 mm diameter, it swallows full-size bales while shielding forage from wind and rain. Choose the Tombstone Ring to cut feeding costs, simplify chores, and promote a calmer, healthier eating environment for your livestock, season after season, year after year.
At first glance the Tombstone Ring’s classic “tombstone” openings catch the eye. These curved uprights mimic the shape of a gravestone, allowing animals to reach feed naturally with their heads low, shoulders relaxed, and horns free from snagging points. Unlike vertical-bar or mesh designs, the tombstone profile spreads pressure over a wider area of the neck and poll, so bruising and hair loss are virtually eliminated. For horned breeds including Highland, Longhorn, White Park, or dairy breeds with retained horns – this extra clearance is essential.
Horses also benefit. Because each opening has generous width and softly rounded edges, a gelding or mare can eat without rubbing sensitive facial skin, and there is less chance of getting a shoe snagged against the lower skirt. If you manage a mixed herd of cattle and equines, one feeder now suits them all.
Robust Construction You Can Bolt Together in Minutes
Three-piece delivery keeps transport costs sensible and makes the ring easy to manoeuvre by hand or tractor once it arrives. Every section is drilled at the factory; simply line up the holes and tighten the supplied high-tensile bolts. Within a short time you have a solid, 2.5 metre-diameter circle with no wobbles or weak spots.
The 610 mm-high steel skirt forms the base. It prevents hay from ballooning out under pressure, stops calves from climbing inside, and shields forage from driving rain. Because the tombstone uprights extend all the way down to meet this skirt—rather than stopping midway—lateral strength is dramatically increased. Animals can lean without distorting the frame, and tractors can nudge the ring when repositioning without buckling welds.
Every panel is fabricated from heavy-gauge steel tube, then fully galvanised. Molten zinc coats every internal and external surface, adding decades of corrosion resistance even under acidic silage conditions or coastal salt air.
How the Tombstone Ring Reduces Waste
Hay Containment – The tall skirt encircles the bale, catching every flake that shakes loose as animals feed. More forage ends up in stomachs rather than under hooves.
Animal Spacing – Each tombstone opening guides a head into its own station. By discouraging sideways shoving, dominant cows can’t scatter hay, and shy individuals still get a fair share.
Weather Defence – With steel shielding the lower half, wind can’t whip straw away, and rain splash is kept off the bottom of the bale where spoilage starts.
Durability – Because panels don’t twist, you won’t see gaps appear that let hay escape. Invest once; save on wasted feed season after season.
Built for Easy Handling and Versatile Placement
The three-section format means two people can tip a panel onto its side, slide it through a gateway, or carry it around an obstruction. Need the ring in a distant field? Drop the panels into a pick-up bed or livestock trailer; no wide-load escort required. On site, a simple socket set is the only tool necessary.
After the bale is gone, the Tombstone Ring is light enough to roll clear so leftover string or net wrap can be collected. Alternatively, fork a new bale directly into the centre with loader spikes—no dismantling needed.
- Winter yarding where large groups congregate and push on equipment.
- Out-wintering cattle on break-fed kale or stubble turnips, providing a central hay buffer.
- Horse livery yards wanting a shared paddock feeder that minimises mane rubs.
- Rare-breed farms keeping horned cattle that outgrow conventional vertical-bar rings.
- Organic holdings where reducing wasted forage directly supports tight margin control.
Galvanised steel rarely needs more than a seasonal inspection. Tighten bolts once a year, check for accidental damage from machinery, and hose mud from the skirt to stop acidic buildup. If a panel ever suffers a severe dent, remove just that section and bolt in a factory replacement—no need to scrap the entire ring.
Long-Term Value Through Thoughtful Design
Hay prices rise, labour remains scarce, and animal welfare standards continue to climb. The LM Bateman Tombstone Cattle Ring addresses all three realities:
Economy – Less waste and fewer repairs equal lower lifetime costs.
Labour-saving – Large bale capacity and quick manoeuvrability mean fewer loader trips.
Welfare – Ergonomic feeding openings lower stress, bruising, and bullying at the hay rack.
Over a decade of daily use, these advantages compound, paying back the purchase price many times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Will a 5-foot (1.52 m) round bale fit?
A: Yes. A standard UK or EU round bale (≈1.2–1.5 m) comfortably fits inside the 2.5 m diameter, leaving room for air circulation that helps keep forage dry.
Q – Can I drag the assembled ring with a quad bike?
A: Light moves are fine on level ground, but for longer hauls or uneven terrain, disassemble into the three sections or lift with loader spikes to avoid bending the skirt.
Q – Is it safe for cattle with wide horn spreads?
A: The tombstone gaps and curved uprights are purpose-designed for horned breeds. Animals can insert and withdraw heads without catching tips or bases of horns.
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