Stainless steel liners come up in a lot of mixer conversations. Some swear by them. Some think they’re a waste. Like most things, it depends on what you feed and how long you plan to keep the machine.
Why mixers wear and rust
Feed isn’t kind to steel. Silage is acidic. Molasses and by-products can be corrosive. Wet feed sits against the walls. Add abrasion from sand and forage and mild steel slowly thins out.
What stainless does
Stainless steel resists corrosion much better than mild steel. A stainless liner in the lower tub, where wear and acid attack are worst, can slow down thinning and rust.
It also gives a smoother surface, so feed may slide more easily and build up less.
Where it makes the most sense
- Acidic or wet rations. Lots of silage, wet by-products or liquids.
- Long ownership. If you keep machines for many years.
- High daily use. More loads, more exposure.
- Humid climates where rust is a constant battle.
Where mild steel is fine
- Dry, hay-based rations.
- Lower daily use.
- Shorter ownership.
- Tight budgets where the money is better spent elsewhere.
Liners vs full stainless
Most farms don’t need a fully stainless tub. A liner in the high-wear lower section covers most of the benefit at less cost.
Other ways to protect the tub
- Clean out feed buildup regularly.
- Touch up paint on exposed areas.
- Replaceable wear liners, stainless or not, protect the main structure.
Why tubs wear
Feed is abrasive and acidic, especially silage. Over time, feed rubbing on the tub wall and floor wears steel thin. Corrosion makes it worse. Stainless liners are one way to slow that down.
Benefits of stainless
- Resists corrosion from silage acids.
- Feed may slide more easily.
- Can extend tub life.
Downsides
- Extra cost up front.
- Repairs may need special welding.
When it’s worth it
- High silage or by-product rations.
- Heavy daily use.
- Plans to keep the mixer a long time.
When it might not be
- Low daily use.
- Mostly dry rations.
- Planning to replace the mixer in a few years.
Other ways to protect the tub
- Clean out feed after each use.
- Wash down regularly.
- Repair paint chips.
- Store under cover.
Ask your dealer
Ask what the liner covers, how thick it is and what warranty applies. Compare total cost over the life you expect.
Quick questions
Can I add a liner later? Sometimes. It’s usually easier at the factory. Ask your dealer.
Does stainless help feed flow? Many operators say feed slides more easily, which helps clean-out.
Will a liner make my mixer last forever? No. Augers, knives, gearbox and floor still wear.
From the show floor
My honest take: if you feed a lot of silage or acidic by-products every day and you keep machines a long time, a liner is worth a serious look. If you feed mostly dry hay once a day, put the money into knives and maintenance instead.
Running the numbers
Take the extra cost of the liner. Then think about how many years longer the tub might last and what a new tub or mixer would cost then. Your dealer can give you real figures for your model. Make the decision on numbers, not on shine.
Where to start this week
If you’re shopping, ask two dealers for the price difference with and without a liner on the same model, and ask what they’ve seen on farms with rations like yours. If you already own a mixer, look closely at the tub walls where silage sits. Pitting and thin spots tell you how hard your ration is on steel.
One more thing to ask
Ask your dealer which parts of the tub the liner covers. Floor, lower walls, the full height? Ask how thick it is and how it’s fixed. Ask what repairs look like if the liner gets damaged, and whether local workshops can handle them. A liner is a long-term choice, so the questions should be long-term too. Get the answers in writing with your quote, and compare like with like when you shop between machines.
Ask the right questions
- Where exactly is the stainless?
- How thick is it?
- Is it replaceable?
- How does it affect the warranty?
Check the LEO warranty terms and ask your dealer about liner options on the heavy-duty TMR mixers.
Bottom line? Stainless is a long-term bet. If you’re keeping the machine and feeding wet, it’s often worth it.
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