5 Hot Tips for Choosing the Right Grain Auger
A grain auger is an essential piece of equipment for any Aussie farmer dealing with a lot of grains like wheat, barley or canola. Augers are portable and convenient machines that can help you move a lot of grain quickly into your silos or a transportation truck.
Buying an auger without making sure it is the right one for your operation can lead to disappointing results, including lost money and time, and poor grain quality.Here are five steps to help you make the right choice when it comes to buying an auger:
1. Measure Accurately
Make careful measurements of the grain bins you will be filling with the auger – it needs to be long enough to easily reach above the tallest
silo you have. Make sure you measure the actual height of the bin from the ground if it is on a raised platform. Also factor in the diameter
of your grain silo – you want the auger to reach far enough to deposit grain roughly in the middle of the bin. This ensures more efficient filling.
2. Crop Type Determines Diameter
The diameter of the auger you choose will determine the amount of grain you can move per hour, but diameter isn’t the sole factor to consider. Dried grains require less diameter (and less horsepower) while crops that are processed wet will require wider diameters to achieve the same results. The rating listed on most augers is for dry corn, so always increase the diameter if you process your crops wet.
Even if your crops are dry, you may want to opt for an auger with a diameter over 10” simply because it won’t need to run as long per job,
and will probably last longer as a result.
3. What’s Your Power Source?
The length and diameter of your auger will determine the amount of power needed to run it. Unsurprisingly, the longer and wider the auger, the more power needed. There are two options that are usually used. These are running the auger off a tractor or using a stand-alone electric motor. When using a tractor, it’s important to remember that most augers are designed to run at 540 rpm. It’s important to check the rpm on the tractor you’re going to use before purchasing an auger. You may need to use a reducer to bring the rpm of the auger down.
If you want to use electric motors, check that you have access to the power source. Single-phase power can be used for a motor of up to 15 hp, but three-phase electricity is needed for motors with a higher rating.
4. Don’t Forget the Hopper
Remember to look into hopper options. The hopper is a relay between grain wagons and the auger. Different hopper heights will work better than others, with lower heights generally recommended.
5. Weigh the Costs
As with all farm equipment; cost depends on size and options. The larger the auger you need, and the more extra options and functions you want, the more it’s going to cost.
Luckily, at Trufab Engineering we can create a customised auger specifically to suit your needs, making sure you get the functionality you need at the best possible price. Contact us today to learn more.