Engineering Notes Index

Minnesota/Wisconsin Engineering Notes
Summer 1996

Good Time to Update Grain Systems

Bill Wilcke, Minnesota Extension Engineer

Grain producers who find themselves in a good financial position due to high commodity prices, farm bill changes, or other reasons, might want to invest in their grain drying, storage, and handling facilities. Other producers might want to make improvements, even if they have to borrow money, if their grain systems have been causing problems, or if late planting is likely to result in unusually wet grain this fall. Many grain systems in the Upper Midwest are outdated and are suffering from:

• Inadequate grain handling capacity for unloading, transferring between bins or between bins and dryers, or loading trucks. Possible solutions include grain receiving pits, higher capacity conveyors, strategically placed holding bins, automatic controls, or better system layout.

   

• Inadequate drying capacity (not enough bushels dried per day). Ways to boost capacity include bigger dryers, additional dryers, changes in drying method, changes in cooling method, or installation of large wet holding bins (large enough to hold 1 to 2 days' harvest).

   

• High labor requirements. Addition of automatic controls, high capacity conveyors, or holding bins, or changing drying methods can reduce labor requirements.

   

• High energy use per bushel for drying. New gas-fired dryers are much more energy efficient than older models, so replacing the dryer is one solution. Other possible solutions include changing the way the current dryer is operated, switching fuel sources, reclaiming exhaust heat, changing cooling methods, or changing drying methods.

   

• Poor grain quality (broken kernels, low test weight). Damage caused by dryers can be reduced by reducing drying temperature, buying a newer dryer (many newer ones are designed to give better grain quality), changing cooling methods, or changing drying method. Damage caused by conveyors can be reduced by repairing worn conveyors, reducing speed of augers, switching to more gentle conveyors, or changing system layout to reduce drop height and number of times grain is handled.

   

• Lack of high quality storage. Add new storage bins or upgrade existing bins with good aeration systems, grain distributors, and temperature monitors.

   

• Safety hazards. Replace missing shields, bury overhead powerlines that are near grain bins, and install safety cages and landings on bin ladders, or replace ladders with stairs.

The first step in making improvements is to analyze the current grain system to identify bottlenecks and problems. Then, try to identify likely future needs. At this point, it is helpful to visit some other grain systems and study grain system planning references to see what equipment is available and to get ideas for potential changes. The Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook, MWPS-13 is an excellent planning reference and I encourage anyone who is considering grain system changes to get a copy. Click here for ordering information.

Anyone who intends to make grain system changes this season needs to act quickly--contractors and equipment suppliers are unusually busy this year.

This page is part of the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department web at http://www.bae.umn.edu/