10 Things to Consider When Buying Animal Feed Cleaning Machine Supplier

Why should a feed and grain facility clean its grains? The reasons are many. Removing coarse contaminants that could otherwise damage conveying equipment, plug spouting and bin discharges and cause contamination of finished products is one.

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&#;Removing foreign material from grain allows the grain to flow better,&#; says Tiffany Palmer, sales and marketing director with EBM Mfg., Inc., Norfolk, NE. &#;Dirty grain attracts insects and can harbor mycotoxins and mold growth.&#;

Cleaning grain will help facilities remove dust and insect fragments that will result in safer and more sanitary storage of grains. Removing foreign material will also provide a more constant production output level for processors that would otherwise fluctuate with varying cleanliness levels, says Kent Mellen, North American sales manager with BM&M, Surrey, BC, Canada.

&#;Cleaning grains will also lower dockage levels for shipment of grains to meet customer specifications which results in better value of the shipped product,&#; Mellen adds. Lowering dockage levels helps to increase grain quality to reach higher market grades, says Palmer. &#;If you clean the grain, you can sell at a higher premium,&#; she says. Other benefits of cleaning grain include the ability to aerate with less restriction of the air passing through the grain, which results in less amperage used by the aeration fans with fewer hot spots.

&#;Our customers report they fumigate less as well,&#; says Kevin Schultze, grain equipment sales at Mid-Continent Industries Inc., Newton, KS.

Best time to clean

There are several different points at which the grain cleaning process can occur at your facility. These include when receiving the grain, off-line, or prior to processing/shipping. There are benefits to each to consider.

At receiving provides the most benefit as it allows for storage of clean material, which stores better and is easier to handle. The rate that a lot of grain is received at, however, results in the need for larger equipment so the investment tends to be higher.

Clarence Heckert, vice president, Agribusiness Sales Canada, with Carter Day Industries Canada Ltd., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, says precleaning grains at this point of the process is becoming more popular with facilities.

&#;At this point, you can rid the grain of a lot material such as pods, sticks, rocks, mud, weed seeds and small bits of foreign debris that will add weight but no value,&#; he says.

Off-line requires dirty grain to be received and stored which is then cleaned and re-stored as required.

&#;Off-line cleaners can be sized smaller than receiving cleaners, so their cost can be lower although most machines are still pretty good size for larger grain shipping elevators,&#; says Mellen with BM&M.

Prior to processing is a position that is used to minimize the initial cost of the cleaner as typical process rates are much lower than receiving rates. However, this position requires the handling and storage of uncleaned material. Some facilities may screen more than once. For example, they may choose to screen at receiving and prior to processing or before bagging.

Cleaning equipment options

There are myriad types of equipment to clean grain. While every feed and grain facility is different and will require customized solutions, there are some general styles of grain cleaning equipment.

• Drum scalpers with rotating cylinders that are typically used to remove large coarse materials.
• Drum cleaners with rotating cylinders that scalp and sift at high capacity.
• Screeners with gyratory motion that can scalp and sift.
• Gravity cleaners use gravity to convey grain through the cleaner.
• Combination cleaners scalp, screen and aspirate the grain. Grain can be cleaned by width, length, density and even color.
• Width: gravity, rotary, vibratory and oscillating screeners
• Length: length graders and disc cylinder cleaners
• Density: aspirators and gravity tables
• Color: color sorter When describing physical characteristics of screeners, there are drum-style rotary, trommelstyle rotary, vibratory (in-line), gyrating and gravity.

Aspirators can be added to a screener to remove lighter material from grain. With screeners, there are different types for different results, says Palmer. There are rough screeners, intermediary screeners and precision screeners. Each type of screener produces a different result.

&#;Some facilities may use a combination of screeners to reach their end goal,&#; says Palmer. &#;Color sorters are an example of a precision screener that can be used to remove discolored grains by color. Indent screeners separate grains by length.&#;

Aspirators are often used to remove lightweight material that can&#;t be separated out by size or length.

&#;For example, bee&#;s wings &#; tiny bits of chaff from the kernel &#; can only be removed by air,&#; says Palmer.

When selecting grain cleaning equipment for your facility there are several factors to consider.

First, what are your expectations and what kind of results do you want from your equipment?

Capacity requirements for the grain cleaner as well as the conveying equipment that feeds the cleaner and takes the cleaned grain away for load-out or to storage needs to be sized correctly, says Schultze.

&#;The last thing you need is a bottleneck,&#; he says.

Efficiency and capacity are important, and one affects the other. &#;You don&#;t want any surprises,&#; says Palmer. &#;Educate yourself and you&#;ll be able to avoid disappointment.&#;

Don&#;t just focus on purchase price, says Mellen.

&#;Presuming performance is capable of being met, long-term cost of ownership should always be considered near the top of the list when comparing features among the various options available,&#; he says.

&#;While the initial outlay for the equipment is a major consideration, how much maintenance and replacement parts are required over the life of the machine will ultimately have a greater financial impact than the initial cost,&#; he continues.

Durability, longevity and quality of workmanship should be factored in.

&#;How long a machine lasts depends on the commodity it&#;s cleaning,&#; says Heckert. &#;But typically, if it&#;s a lower maintenance machine, there&#;s less rebuild and overhaul time needed.&#;

Durability translates into reliability and keeps long-term cost of ownership to a minimum.

&#;Reviewing industry references and understanding what are common replacement parts and their cost are a couple of tools that help assess each manufacturer under consideration,&#; says Mellen. Another selection criteria to consider is whether you need a stationary or portable unit. If a company has multiple locations, a portable cleaner can be used at each location as needed.

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Finally, partner with your industry suppliers and know what kind of support you have both locally and from the manufacturer. Great customer service and technical support is invaluable says Schultze.

&#;Parts availability is an important consideration,&#; he says. &#;Does the manufacturer stock parts or can you obtain them from your local parts store? This is important when your machine is broken down and production is being lost &#; how fast can you get those parts?&#;

Machines with fewer moving parts translate into lower-maintenance machines, says Schultze.

Best maintenance practices

Grain cleaning machines can last decades if taken care of properly. In order to have equipment that lasts this long, best maintenance practices are key.

&#;How you monitor and maintain your machines will determine how long they last,&#; says Heckert. &#;You have to understand your equipment so you know when it&#;s not functioning properly.&#;

Following recommended manufacturer maintenance is a must. Regular inspections will ensure long-term performance and minimal parts expense. If machines are not regularly inspected then downtime is more likely.

&#;An equipment log should be considered that details what parts are replaced over time so that trends leading to potential major failures can be better prevented,&#; says Mellen. &#;If the parts replacement frequency increases, the manufacturer should be contacted to review what is happening and provide suggestions for how to reverse that trend.&#;

Creating a routine preventive maintenance schedule for your grain cleaning equipment is a proactive way to help eliminate maintenance problems.

&#;If you have an operation running 24/7, downtime is lost production which is also lost money,&#; says Palmer.

Finally, give yourself time to review multiple machines and find which makes the most sense for your business.

Mellen concludes, &#;Since this equipment is often intended to be in production for 20 years or more, lower cost of ownership over the lifetime of the machine should be factored accordingly.&#; &#;

Visit our Buyer's Guide to view additional grain cleaning equipment.

Advantages of Farm Machinery

Here are the most significant benefits of utilizing agricultural machinery:

Improves Existing Techniques

Agricultural mechanization practices have improved land reclamation, reduced soil erosion, and made irrigation systems more efficient. The cultivators attached to tractors help to smooth out the soil, fill in ditches and remove weeds, which all help to increase the amount of land used and prevent soil from eroding.

Boosts Farm Productivity for Commercialization

Agricultural mechanization has primarily replaced subsistence farming, increasing productivity and crop yields. Mechanization has enabled commercial farmers to produce far more food for profit.

Nullifies Effects of Labor Shortages

In recent years, many people in rural areas have moved to cities because of more jobs. But this has left farms needing more workers. Farm workers are no longer required to work as hard because machines are doing some of their work.

Makes More Space for Crops

Using the mechanization process, we can use land more efficiently. Machines can make land arable and allow to grow a wider variety of crops.

Increases Farm Income

Agricultural mechanization provides more monetary gain for large and small farms and reduces the time needed to pay laborers. Crop yields are higher with machinery, thus increasing farm profits.

Type of Machinery According to Use

A diverse range of machines is available, each designed for specific purposes.

Machinery Used for Soil Cultivation

• Cultivator &#; A machine used to mix and pulverize soil before planting.
• Cultipacker &#; Tool that farmers use to squash clods of dirt, get rid of air pockets, and press small stones down into the ground.
• Plough &#; Used to turn over the top layer of soil, bring fresh nutrients to the surface, and prepare the soil for planting.
• Strip-till &#; Combines the advantages of conventional tillage and no-till practices in a minimal tillage system.

Machinery Used for Planting

• Seed drill &#; A machine that allows you to sow seeds in furrows at an even depth and rate. Soil is not required for it to work.
• Broadcast seeder &#; Otherwise known as a spreader or fertilizer spreader, is commonly used for agricultural purposes such as spreading seed, lime, or fertilizer.
• Seed cum fertilizer drill &#; Distributes the fertilizer uniformly on the ground.

Farm Machinery Types Used for Irrigation

• Irrigation equipment &#; Includes pumps, sprinklers, and other automated systems for watering crops.
• Fire sprinkler system &#; Pipes connected to a water supply and used to control fires.
• Centre irrigation &#; Used for large-scale farming operations, delivers water from the center of a field.

Machinery Used for Fertilizing and Pest Control

• Manure spreader &#; Also known as a muck spreader or honey wagon, this agricultural machine spreads manure over a field to fertilize it.
• Slurry tank &#; A trailer with a pump and tank that can mix manure and water, creating an efficient fertilizer for fields.
• Sprayer &#; A tool that applies herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers to crops.

Harvesting and Threshing Equipment

• Combine harvester &#; A machine that shakes the grain off the stalk, cleans it, and stores it.
• Sickle &#; An agricultural tool used for harvesting grain crops or cutting grass for hay.
• Mower &#; A machine used to cut crops or grasses, operated manually by animal power or motor.
• Crop harvesting machine &#; The machine that can harvest forage crops and form them into bales simultaneously.
• Grain harvesting machine &#; Used to harvest grains, edible brans, or fruit seeds from cereal crops.

How Maintenance Plays a Role in Agriculture

Maintenance is essential to a farm&#;s success, both in the long and short run. Unplanned maintenance can often be more time-consuming than planned maintenance, but both are necessary to keep a farm safe and operational.

Importance of Agricultural Maintenance

Maintenance workers in the agricultural industry have an important job: ensuring that machines used on farms operate correctly and are always ready to be used. If these machines aren&#;t available or working correctly, it could result in significant losses for the farm.

Agricultural maintenance serves the following purpose:

• Preventing breakdowns and accidents
• Keeping planting, fertilizing, harvesting, and so forth on the schedule
• Maintaining the quality of end products by calibrating thermometers, metal detectors, sensors, etc.

Types of Assets Maintained in Agriculture

Farms rely heavily on machinery, which the farmers themselves often maintain. In addition, most farms have buildings that need to be kept clean and in good condition. Some of the assets farmers need to support are:

• Seed drills
• Balers
• Plows
• Manure spreaders
• Conveyor systems
• Harvesters
• Tractors
• Planters
• Fume washers
• Irrigation systems
• Storehouses
• Silos
• Sprayers
• Mixers
• Dispensers
• Temperature control systems

Common Preventive Maintenance Checks for Equipment Maintenance

Here are some of the most common preventive maintenance checks for equipment maintenance and calibration:

• Winterizing equipment &#; Tasks that farmers typically need to perform to winterize their equipment and get it ready for the long-term storage required during the colder months include:
  • Changing diesel fuel from #2 to #1
  • Keeping batteries charged or disconnecting them during the season
  • Heavy equipment cleaning
  • Draining and cleaning pesticide application equipment
  • Checking and replacing antifreeze and hydraulic fluids as needed
• Checking and changing fluids &#; It&#;s necessary to ensure that the liquids used in the equipment are clear and safe. These fluids should be exchanged for fresh ones at certain intervals, like when they degrade or gather pollutants.

• Lubricating moving parts &#; Use the operator&#;s manuals usually provided for guidelines on lubrication and other preventive maintenance tasks. Inspect and lubricate all the moving parts needed.
• Checking and changing filters &#; Air, oil, and fuel filters should all be changed regularly. Check them regularly to make sure they aren&#;t clogged, and replace them when needed.
• Examining the bearings &#; All rotating parts require routine maintenance, including wheels, pulleys, shafts, and bearings. A replacement is necessary if they have worn out too much or become damaged.
• Calibrating equipment &#; Ensure that your calibration intervals follow the guidance in the operator&#;s manual for all equipment.
• Conducting damage inspections &#; It&#;s essential to regularly inspect all equipment for any damage that could impair its performance. Look for signs of wear and tear, rust, leaks, corrosion, and any other damage that could affect the machine&#;s performance.

How to Perform Agricultural Maintenance Safely

The pointers below help perform maintenance work on your farm as safely as possible.

Shut Down and Secure Equipment Before Servicing

Before performing any maintenance work, disconnect the equipment, shut off the engine, and remove the keys. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these procedures could prevent 50,000 injuries and 120 deaths annually.

Use Appropriate PPE and the Correct Tools

It&#;s always advisable to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when performing maintenance on farm equipment. Also, only use approved hand tools, and never force them to fit when they don&#;t.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

Hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides or cleaning agents, are often present on farms. If you&#;re cleaning equipment that has been in contact with these substances, take extra care to avoid cross-contamination with food or other chemicals.

Seek Training

Agricultural maintenance training provides crucial information about preventing injuries by implementing best practices. Training can be done in person or using digital learning tools like Training.

Plan Maintenance Tasks in Advance

Regularly scheduled maintenance may help reduce unplanned repairs due to machinery failure.

Create your own Equipment Inspection Checklist

Build from scratch or choose from our collection of free, ready-to-download, and customizable templates.

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