Plastics Twine - Secure

Fitting Secure Covers

Make sure that the clamp is slightly domed and has been well sheeted in the normal way. Secure Covers should then be fitted across the clamp starting at the back and working forward, so that they can be rolled back as the clamp is fed.
Keep the Secure Cover smooth and stretched tight using suitable weights around the edge and across joins. As the silage settles ensure the Secure Cover remains taut.
Sizes

Secure Covers are available to cover any size of clamp. (Go to Secure Cover Sizes)

Secure Covers Gravel Bags

Replace tyres entirely. The filled bags fits into the shoulders of the clamp providing a very effective seal. When filled each 1m long bag weighs between 15-20kg.

Secure Covers for Stacks

Baled silage is a popular, flexible option for many farmers. However, it is not a cheap option with its associated costs of mowing, baling, wrapping, stacking and plastic disposal. To maximise the full potential of your investment in the forage, all bales should be wrapped and stored efficiently and effectively.

However, whether wrapped in 4,6 or even 8 layers of plastic the bales will still be at risk from damage from birds or even farm cats if left stacked but unprotected. Protecting the silage wrap from damage is vital when you consider that typically more than half of the silage in a bale is within 20cm (8 ins) of the surface. Air penetration into the silage through holes in the wrap allows growth of yeasts, moulds and spoilage bacteria which results in loss of DM and nutrients with an accumulation of pathogens and mycotoxins. A single hole of only 1-3mm diameter can result in an 8% loss of edible forage in a 30% DM grass silage. With only 6 holes 26% of the silage surface can be covered in mould. The problem increases even more with higher dry matter forages with losses of up to 32% due to only 1 hole.

To prevent these losses protecting big bales during storage should be a priority. However, with 63% of big bale stacks showing some sort of bird damage and 29% of bale stacks on yards with cat damage it seems that up till now this problem has largely been ignored. A simple solution is now available. Secure Covers, originally developed to replace tyres on clamp silage, placed over big bale stacks will prevent bird and cat damage. The long lasting covers are made from knitted polyethylene which, unlike the open structure of traditional bird netting, produces a very strong cover which prevents birds and cats damaging the silage wrap. The Secure Covers can be held in place with gravel bags attached to the cover using StackPack clips every 5m.

The winner of this year’s Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies Big Bale Silage Competition was praised by the judges for his use of Secure Covers to protect his big bale silage. Richard Anthony of Tythegston Farm, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan considers using Secure Covers to protect his big bale silage from damage as a ‘no brainer and it’s something I should have done years ago’.

Secure Stackpack

Developed to provide strong anchorage points on Secure Covers when covering silage, straw, hay bale stacks or forage bags. This flexible system can also be applied to tarpaulins and other sheet materials for a variety of farm situations.

Each StackPack contains:- 50 Secure clips and 100 heavy duty cable ties.

Fix clips every metre for use on straw stacks or every 5-10 metres over big bale stacks.

Secure Covers Sizes

Secure Covers should be fitted from side to side of the clamp in sections along the length of the clamp so that they can be rolled back as the clamp is fed. (see Fitting Secure Covers)

When measuring a clamp's width allow for the hump.

When calculating a combination of 8 or 12 metre sections to cover the length, allow approximately 0.5m for each overlap between sections.
 

Metric	Imperial	Weight (kg)
8 X 10	26.2 X 32.8	24
8 X 12	26.2 X 39.4	29
8 X 14	26.2 X 45.9	34
8 X 16	26.2 X 52.5	38
8 X 18	26.2 X 59.1	43
8 X 20	26.2 X 65.6	48
8 X 22	26.2 X 72.2	53
8 X 25	26.2 X 82.0	60
12 X 10	39.4 X 32.8	36
12 X 12	39.4 X 39.4	43
12 X 14	39.4 X 45.9	50
12 X 16	39.4 X 52.5	58
12 X 18	39.4 X 59.1	65
12 X 20	39.4 X 65.6	72
12 X 22	39.4 X 72.2	79
12 X 25	39.4 X 82.0	90

           
Rolls of 4 X 150m are also available.

Secure Covers - The Ultimate in Silage Protection

Secure Covers are made from the highest quality, finely knitted, UV stable polyethylene mesh. The Secure Cover is placed over the normal polythene silage sheet and weighted only at the edges and joins. Once fitted, Secure Covers' unique construction disperses wind gusts making sure that the silage sheet remains in place on the silage pit.

Secure Covers effectively reduce surface waste by keeping the silage sheet in close contact with silage surface. The finely knitted mesh helps prevent bird damage to the silage sheet and when pulled down stops birds feeding on the feed face.

Strong and Secure

Secure Covers are so strong that they can prevent damage to the silage sheet from cats, dogs, people and even cattle.

Tyrelessly Protecting Silage Pits

• Eliminates the need for tyres
• Helps prevent bird damage to sheets and feed face
• Prevents tyre wire disease
• Helps to reduce surface waste
• Secure Gravel Bags will reduce shoulder waste
• Unique mesh construction prevents fraying
• Labour saving - quick and easy to use
• Comprehensive range of standard sizes
• Guaranteed UV stable for 7 years
• Unmatched 6 months satisfaction guarantee

Secure Gravel Bags

Secure Gravel Bags are made from the same strong fray resistant material as Secure Covers. They hold the Secure Covers in place and make a more complete seal than tyres.

Secure Gravel Bags are available in packs of 20 (supplied with heavy duty cable ties). Each bag weighs between 15-20 kg when filled with pea gravel. The integral handle makes moving the bags a simple task.

Filling Secure Gravel Bags

Secure Gravel bags should be filled with 2cm pea gravel or stone to 25-30cm from the top. Try using a traffic cone with the end removed as a funnel to make the job easier. Zip tie the bags 10-15cm from the top. Do not overfill the gravel bags. The bags need to remain flexible to seal the silage clamp and to prevent bursting if the bag is dropped.
 

Using Secure Gravel Bags

Unlike tyres Secure Gravel Bags are flexible and they focus weight on the shoulders at the junction of the sidewall and silage sheet. This stops air and water getting into the silage and prevents spoilage. Secure Gravel Bags should be placed 'nose to tail' around the edge of each Secure Covers, including where the Secure covers overlap.

Keep the Secure Cover in contact with the silage sheet during feed out by placing a line of Secure Gravel Bags along the leading edge.

Secure Gravel Bags can be easily stored on a pallet when not in use. Do not drag Secure Gravel Bags across rough surfaces.

Technical Specifications

From the outset, Secure Covers were specifically designed as silage clamp covers. Unlike other covers which are woven, Secure Covers are made from knitted polyethylene. This produces a very strong cover which will not fray and fall apart if damaged. The texture of the knitted surface also has the advantage of reducing the effects of high winds - once fitted, Secure Covers reduce 'wind lift', keeping the silage sheet in contact with the silage surface , even on a windy day.

Having the highest specification in the market (300g/sqm), Secure Covers are so strong they also help prevent bird damage to the silage sheet. In fact, they're rugged enough to have a herd of cows run over them without damaging the silage sheeting.