Dan Taylor, a hog farmer from Michigan, found himself grappling with a common but increasingly challenging problem – finding reliable labor to clean his finishing barns between turns. With tight deadlines and the need for thorough cleaning, manual methods were becoming unsustainable.
“Getting reliable help to do a timely and quality wash was hard, especially with the short time between turns,” Dan explained. The process was slow, inconsistent, and finding employees who could keep up with the demand was becoming a constant struggle.
After hearing about a fellow farmer’s success with a wash robot, Dan decided to explore the option himself. Investing in the technology, he hoped it would alleviate the labor shortages and improve his overall cleaning process. The decision marked a significant shift toward automation on his farm, and the results were almost immediate. “The robot washes our Finish Barns in less than half the time it takes a person to wash,” Dan noted. This reduction in cleaning time freed up valuable hours for Dan and his team, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks. Beyond time savings, the robot also eliminated the inconsistencies of manual labor, delivering reliable results with each use.
Initially, Dan was curious about how the robot would perform compared to human labor, particularly regarding the quality of the cleaning. He was impressed. “It consistently does 90% of the wash in our barns, and we only have to touch up a few small spots when it’s done,” he shared. The robot’s performance was not only faster but more thorough and consistent than what could be achieved manually.
What surprised Dan most was the ease of implementation. With initial support from Washpower and guidance from Magnus from Washpower’s US office the setup was straightforward. “After Magnus spent some time with me the first day going over the machine, it’s been very easy to learn and adjust settings to fit our barns,” Dan said. The robot was not only simple to program but could also be tailored to his specific barn layouts, making it even more effective.
For Dan Taylor, the wash robot has become an asset to his farm. It has significantly reduced cleaning time, provided consistent and effective results, and eased the pressure of relying on scarce labor. With its ease of use and dependable performance, the wash robot continues to be a worthwhile investment, improving the efficiency of his farm’s operations.
