Choosing The Right Grain-Handling System For Your Operation
Machines & Maintenance
From Bottlenecks to Better Flow
Choosing The Right Grain-Handling System For Your Operation
By Eric Willems
G rain handling is one of the most important aspects of any agricultural operation that produces and processes grain for sale. The long work of growing and harvesting the plants can all go to waste if the handling system destroys the grain or provides another subpar end result.
Choosing the right grain-handling system is therefore essential. The right system maintains a high level of efficiency while ensuring that the grain finishes the process in optimal condition. With this guide, agricultural professionals can understand the factors they should consider when evaluating a grain-handling system.
Challenges to Grain System Selection
Before looking at solutions for grain handling, companies should first gain familiarity with the obstacles they may face. These challenges can determine which system is best for the job.
Changing Customer Preferences Every customer is a little different, even if they order the same grain in the same quantities. Some customers prioritize fast delivery, while others have strict requirements for moisture content, grain condition, and foreign material.
Grain-handling facilities dealing with a range of customers must be adaptable enough to accommodate each client’ s specific needs.
Design Inefficiencies The efficiency of the actual design affects the processing rate and the condition of the grain after handling. Some systems emphasize speed above anything else, but this approach can create bottlenecks. Bottlenecks are inconvenient, but ultimately can cause the system to jam, encounter excessive wear, or damage the product. Overcoming these problems requires an understanding of how grain moves through the system before solutions can be introduced.
Unique Needs of Different Grains Grain type affects how a handling system should be configured. Corn, soybeans, wheat, and barley differ in their handling characteristics, susceptibility to mechanical damage, moisture requirements, and cleaning needs. Equipment should be selected to accommodate the specific crops being handled and preserve grain quality.
Features to Optimize in Selecting a System
Choosing the right grain-handling setup starts with creating a list of requirements and evaluating the options available. A grain equipment company creates tools and systems that are designed to meet the needs of the vast majority of grain producers, but this does not mean that every system will be a perfect fit. The company should carefully consider these factors before deciding.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity affects how much grain a facility can hold before shipment or further processing. Systems with greater storage capacity can accommodate larger grain volumes, but they may be too expensive, large, or complex for smaller
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