What is the difference between Hustler and Tubeline feeders?

There’s a lot more differences than what meets the eye!

Hustler Equipment, founded in 1961 quickly recognized the many benefits this unique feeding system had to offer and purchased the patents off Taranaki, New Zealand based inventor/dairy farmer in 1996. Hustler spent a further 2 years developing the concept and in 1998 launched the revolutionary Chainless bale feeding system in New Zealand, in a 3 point hitch model, following in 2000 with a trailing model with another game changing innovation, the patented Total Control Loading system. 

Following a successful 7 year climb to become the most popular bale feeder with 50% market share in the world’s leading pasture-based farming country (New Zealand), Tubeline recognized the benefits the design had to offer the Canadian ranchers and in 2008 Hustler signed an agreement with Tubeline Manufacturing (known as Agway Manufacturing at the time) for a 5 foot model to be produced under license to Hustler Equipment in Agway livery for the Canadian market. Today that same Series 2 Chainless design is still being produced by Tubeline Manufacturing. 

In 2011 Hustler introduced both the Series 4 and Series 5 models into North America after proving the strong demand in New Zealand, Australia and Europe for the Chainless to feed a wider diversity of bale types due to the changes in environment and climate putting pressure on the window of opportunity to produce bales.

Throughout 2012-2013 Hustler saw the demands of the American Rancher and the challenges they faced with the earlier models and set about developing in whole new level of Chainless balefeeders based on direct feedback from American Ranchers and with a number of prototypes working on Ranches across America. 

A whole new model was born as a result and the X Series Chainless bale feeders were released in 2014 with virtually every part on the new model changed from the Series 5 Chainless models. 

Here is a photo of the X Series Chainless feeder beside a 2008 Series 2 model. Although Hustler produced 3 more series upgrades of the old design still used by Tubeline, Hustler ceased production for that design in 2016 due to the success of the X series. There’s simply no comparison between new and old when it comes to ease-of-use, versatility (ability to feed out any bale including frozen bales) and it solves every challenge ranchers previously faced with the old design. Ranchers are really rapt with the new model. 

TUBELINE COMPARISON

Hustler enjoys spending time with Ranchers helping to promote the awareness of the substantial benefits Hustler’s unique feeding system has to offer the Rancher in North America. 

WHAT RANCHERS SAY:

“After having owned 2 Tubeline machines in the past, this time we updated we purchased the Hustler model, and we’ve been really impressed with the build quality, the ease of use, and the way it handles the bales much better.” Roger Houser, Virginia 

“Our in-calf rate is 8-10% better than it was previously, and this season is the first year with a zero postpartum mortality rate with all of our fresh cows. It’s been a fantastic investment and in two years it’s basically paid for itself twice, I’m really, really happy. I really like my Hustler feeder a lot” Scott Merieka, Wisconsin 

“I have to say the new Chainless X5000 bale cart is fantastic and a great improvement on the 4000, we have noticed a big difference in the amount of hay we are feeding out and reduced wastage” – Ella Anderson, University of Tasmania, Australia

“it just makes life at least 10-15 minutes quicker every day, and there’s definitely not as much wastage” Callumn Broomhall, Meander

“It’s a lot smoother with how it rotates the bale.  I’ve tested it on hills, going up hills and down hills, where as my old machine used to, more so coming uphill it wanted to throw the bale out of the back of the machine, out of the cradle but the X5000 keeps it in there quite nice now.  No real amount off silage hanging of the side and getting jammed. Quite impressed.” Dairy Farmer, Victoria

“as it’s feeding over the top you can see that the main part of the bale just wants to stay down, you can tell it’s not going to block.  Feeds out beautifully, very happy with it” Dairy Farmer, Fish Creek

“We were very happy with the first one, it made the job a lot easier so we thought we’d buy another one!” Ian Dickson, Victoria