If you keep cattle, goats, sheep or rabbits, a chaff cutter is one of the most useful machines on your farm. It chops grass, maize stalks, sorghum and straw into small pieces that animals eat easily, so less feed is wasted on the ground. At Ajara Farm Tools Stores we sell two main types: the standard hand-fed chaff cutter and the chaff cutter with conveyor (roller feed). Farmers ask us every week which one to buy, so this guide explains the difference in simple terms.
What is a chaff cutter?
A chaff cutter is a machine with sharp blades that cut fodder into short pieces. Chopped forage is easier for animals to chew and digest, it mixes well with concentrates, and it reduces the waste you get when animals pull whole grass and trample it. Both machines in this guide run on a petrol (gasoline) engine, so you can use them anywhere on the farm without electricity.
The standard chaff cutter (hand-fed)
On the standard chaff cutter, you push the grass into the feed inlet by hand. The blades chop it and the cut feed comes out through the discharge outlet. It has a safety cover over the cutting area and wheels, so one or two people can move it around the farm.
- Cuts both wet and dry grass, stalks and straw
- Petrol engine, no electricity needed
- Compact and easy to move
- Lower cost, so it is a good first machine for a growing farm
Best for: small and medium cattle, goat, sheep and rabbit farms that chop feed once or twice a day.
The chaff cutter with conveyor (roller feed)
The chaff cutter with conveyor has a long feeding table with a belt and rollers. You lay the grass on the table and the conveyor grips it and pulls it into the blades at a steady speed. You do not need to push the grass in with your hands, which makes the work faster, safer and less tiring.
- Roller and conveyor feeding for faster, safer cutting
- Steady feeding gives a more even cut length
- Handles long stalks such as elephant grass, maize stalks and sorghum easily
- High output for big daily feeding needs
- Petrol engine, no electricity needed
Best for: large cattle farms, dairy farms, ranches, feedlots and people who chop and sell fodder.
Chaff cutter vs chaff cutter with conveyor: side-by-side
| Feature | Standard chaff cutter | Chaff cutter with conveyor |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding | By hand into the feed inlet | Conveyor belt and rollers pull grass in |
| Speed / output | Good for daily farm needs | Higher output, steady flow |
| Safety | Hands work closer to the inlet | Hands stay far from the blades |
| Cut length | Depends on how evenly you feed | More even pieces |
| Long stalks | Must be fed in bit by bit | Lay them on the table and let the belt pull them |
| Labour | More effort for long sessions | Less tiring, one person can work longer |
| Size | Compact, easy to move | Bigger, longer machine |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Small and medium farms | Large farms, ranches, fodder sellers |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the standard chaff cutter if you have a small or medium herd, you chop feed for a short time each day, and you want the lower-cost option.
- Choose the chaff cutter with conveyor if you chop large amounts every day, you work with long stalks like elephant grass or maize stalks, or you want your workers to keep their hands away from the blades.
- Need to grind grain too? The Multifunctional Feed Processing Machine grinds maize and other grains and also chops grass, so one machine does two jobs.
Safety and care tips for any chaff cutter
- Keep the safety cover closed while the engine is running.
- Never push grass in with your hand close to the blades. Use a stick or let the conveyor do the work.
- Remove stones, wire and nails from the grass before cutting.
- Check that the blades are sharp and tight before each use.
- Check the engine oil and clean the air filter regularly.
- Switch off the engine before you clear a blockage.
How to order from Ajara Farm Tools Stores
Ajara Farm Tools Stores (ajarafarmtoolstores.com) is based at Suite 9, NCWC Complex, Samonda, Ibadan, and delivers farm equipment across Nigeria. Our prices are fixed, so the price you see on the product page is the price you pay.
- Delivery: free delivery in Lagos and Ibadan. For other states, a commitment fee of at least ₦10,000 (depending on your location) is paid before your order is processed.
- Delivery time: 2–3 working days outside Lagos and Ibadan, depending on location.
- Payment: pay on delivery by cash or transfer.
- Order: tap the order button on the product page, chat with us on WhatsApp (0814 905 3154), or call 0814 905 3154 or 0916 229 8344.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm.
Our team will call you to confirm your order, so please keep your phone close.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chaff cutter cut wet grass?
Yes. Both machines cut wet (fresh) and dry grass, stalks and straw.
Is the chaff cutter with conveyor worth the extra cost?
If you chop a lot of fodder every day, yes. The conveyor saves time and labour, and it keeps hands away from the blades. For a small farm, the standard chaff cutter does the job well.
Do I need electricity?
No. Both models run on a petrol engine.
See all our livestock and feed machines at ajarafarmtoolstores.com or chat with us on WhatsApp. Click to order today.