Combination hay-grain feeder device

A feeder device for use with a grinder-mixer apparatus, said device including:

• an elongate substantially flat table structure having a material-receiving end and a discharge end,
• an elongate endless conveyor mechanism mounted on said table and extending longitudinally thereof and having bale engaging elements thereon for engaging a bale of hay and having means to continuously forceably rip slab portions of hay from the bale and convey hay and grain towards said discharge end,
• a feed chute mounted on said table structure adjacent said material-receiving end and projecting upwardly therefrom, said feed chute having a cross section sized to receive a bale of hay therein and located to position the bale so that one end of the bale is disposed closely adjacent the table structure,
• a driven intake feeder roll having a plurality of serrated blades affixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom mounted on said table structure closely adjacent and forwardly of said feed chute and being positioned above said conveyor, said driven intake feeder roll cooperative with said conveyor mechanism to cause portions of feed to be conveyed toward said discharge end,
• a driven finger roller mounted in one side of said chute parallel to and above said feeder roll, said finger roller having a plurality of spike-like fingers which impale the material to be conveyed and force the material generally perpendicularly towards said conveyor and which controls the rate of downward feed of the material onto the conveyor,
• a driven discharge feed roller mounted on the table structure adjacent the discharge end and cooperating with said conveyor mechanism to cause material to be fed into a hammer mill.