Research Report. Seed and fertiliser bins

Transcription

1 RESEARCH Research Report Seed and fertiliser bins Bulk bin tests raise safety concerns Kondinin Group tests of seed and fertiliser bins show the units perform well but safety is a major area of concern. In recent years seed and fertiliser bins (also known as five-in-one s, seed full units or groupers) have become widely used to reduce handling costs and lower injury risks at sowing. And while most units tested delivered grain without damage, a comprehensive evaluation of each bin found operator safety and the quality of operator manuals to be below standard. Only eight of the 19 units assessed had operator manuals. Less than half of the bins evaluated had acceptable access ladders, three had no guarding around exposed drive belts and pulleys. All units exceeded acceptable noise levels. Survey results The Kondinin Group surveyed 200 bulk bin owners as part of its 1997 National Agricultural Survey (NAS 97). Most farmers surveyed were satisfied with the reliability, ease of use and performance of their bin. But many were concerned that some bins were unable to reach high sowing machinery and handle larger grains without causing damage to grain varieties including legumes and oilseeds. Others criticised the poor access to complex belt and pulley drive systems, maintenance requirements, access to fuel tanks, poor cleaning and lack of resistance to corrosion from fertilisers. Gravity-fed bins without auger bottoms received favourable comments from owners on the ease of cleaning out. Bins with auger bottoms are more difficult to clean but had a lower centre of gravity and greater holding capacity. Assessment and tests For this report, 19 bins were assessed at Merredin, Western Australia, Kadina, South Australia, Junee, New South Wales, and Dalby, Queensland. All manufacturers were invited to present their bins for testing but unfortunately not all were able to accept. Where manufacturersupplied bins were not available some representative units were presented for testing by local farmers. An assessment panel including farmers, an occupational health and safety consultant and Kondinin Group agricultural engineers evaluated the bins at the four locations. The panel rated the bins according to their ease of use, features, quality of construction, Nicole Baxter Farmers surveyed expressed concern over height as they felt bins were unable to reach high delivery systems. servicing and ease of cleaning and operator s manual (see Table 1). Safety was also rated after ladders and guarding were assessed. Some bins had acceptable ladders but no guarding. Other bins had acceptable guarding but poor ladders such as the McDougall. Fifteen bins were tested for seed and fertiliser delivery capacity using wheat, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea. To test farmer claims that some units damaged grain and fertiliser, samples of legume seed and fertiliser were collected and analysed for mechanical damage. Delivery capacity test results The tests showed most units achieved the delivery capacity stated by the manufacturer. The bins with the highest delivery capacity were the belt-type Riteway seed and super unit and the Heaslip rear hydraulic (DAP only), which delivered material at about one tonne per minute. The disadvantage of these units is they can only handle one product at a time. A twin auger unit would have a similar delivery capacity with both augers working at the same time if the air seeder or combine unit is set up for this practice. The tested wheat delivery capacities for the auger delivery machines ranged from 188 kilograms per minute for the Grainline drill-fill unit through to 528kg/min for the Cole Bulk Handling bin. Throughput changed as auger size increased (from 100mm to 185mm on the Grainline and Cole) and engine power increased. Most bins had similar delivery capacities for wheat and fertiliser. DAP testing produced delivery capacities of between 187kg/min for the Grainline and 1221kg/min for the Riteway. Urea, with a lighter specific weight, tested at a lower capacity, ranged from 174kg/min to 580kg/min. The slight variation in fertiliser delivery was likely due to different levels of atmospheric moisture which may have been absorbed by the fertiliser. The WA tests were carried out in dry conditions and under wet conditions in SA and NSW. TABLE 1 Star ratings of seed and fertiliser bins assessed by the Kondinin Group Bird Bright Cleverdon Cole Cole Cole Bulk Finch twin-bin SL-70 twin bin HD975 HD800SP Handling grain HD800SP buggy Ease of use Features Quality of construction Safety Servicing Cleaning Operator s manual Wheat capacity (kg/min) N/A DAP capacity (kg/min) N/A Urea capacity (kg/min) N/A * Bin loaned for testing by farmer. 32 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

2 Seed and fertiliser bins... RESEARCH Kondinin Group panel members collecting seed when calculating bin delivery capacity. Grain damage Samples of peas and faba beans were collected from the 15 bins after handling and tested for germination. The samples were collected and sent for analysis at Agriculture WA and the Academy of Grain Technology at Werribee, Victoria. The germination tests failed to show conclusively that belt or bucket feed systems damaged grain more or less than augers or that any bin types damaged grain more than others. One load of peas that passed through four bins with samples collected each time also showed no detectable reduction in germination. But in one case damage was clearly caused by a large capacity auger moving pea seed from a silo into a truck during the testing. Fertiliser damage Fertiliser samples were taken before and after material was passed through the bins during the capacity tests. The samples were then tested by sizing the granules with a series of nine screens (0.2 to 4.75 millimetres). The results showed a very small increase in fines material after the fertiliser had been Panel members Mark Scott and Des Linnegar collecting pea samples for germination tests. handled by the bins. No one model or delivery method produced more fines than others. But the increase in fines was sufficient to suggest that continual filling of a bin and sowing machine causes residue build-up. Regular cleaning will reduce the risk of fines build-up in seeding equipment and metering systems. Guarding Most manufacturers provided guards and protection around drivetrains and shafts. But on many bins guarding was often not integral to overall design, making adjustment, maintenance and replacement of belts, pulleys and chains difficult. Guards on belts, pulleys and chains are best hinged or secured by a single bolt for easy access. If visual inspection is required, perforated plate or mesh may be necessary. One owner had removed a guard and then discarded it when he found it difficult to replace. Manufacturers need to note that it is not enough to simply provide a guard; it must be easy to remove and replace. Owners who remove guards and do not replace them are responsible for any subsequent damage but this liability may be The guarding on the Vennings did not cover all the drive area and was difficult to remove and replace. extended to the manufacturer if guard design contributed to the problem. Three bins, the Bird twin bin, Miitze gravityfed and the Parkes, had no guarding at all. If lack of guarding results in an accident the manufacturer is liable. Noise levels The noise level requirement for machinery varies from decibels (the safety level is 80dB with any higher requiring protective ear muffs to be worn). All bins tested generated noise levels of more than 90 decibels when the motor was under load. The type of motor used, its engine power and age did not add to noise levels. Movement of material in the bins and augers and the various drives also contributed to high noise levels. The noisiest bin was the Jetstream Gruper 5-in-1, which has ticklers on the moderately sloping sides of the bin to aid movement of fertiliser to the agitating auger. As the bin emptied, the noise level exceeded 110dB. Hearing protection is essential for operators of seed and fertiliser bins. Manufacturers need to advise the use of hearing protection in operator s manuals. Grainline Heaslip Heaslip Heaslip Jetstream* McDougall Miitze Parkes* Riteway* Vennings* Walsh and Walsh and drill-fill deluxe economy rear Gruper seed and Industries 12 tonne seed and standard Ford grain Ford hydraulic 5-in-1 super bin bin super unit rear delivery buggy combination N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A FARMING AHEAD No October

3 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... The Parkes bin had a good ladder but no guarding around the belt drive. Exhaust problems All motors were mounted at the height of the truck tray. This meant that fumes were exhausted into the operator s breathing zone. The exception was the Grainline, which exhausts downwards because the bin has to be tipped up for the grain to feed into the detachable auger. Manufacturers need to consider providing an elevated exhaust, or exhausting to the front of the truck rather than the rear. Ladders Ladders, or the lack of, on bulk seed and fertiliser bins are the most hazardous area of the equipment. Nationally, nearly a quarter of all on-farm accidents are the result of slips and falls. None of the bins assessed had adequate ladders. Ideally, there should be ladder access to each bin. Ladders with rungs should have adequate side rails or stiles to assist climbing, or be of the step iron-type. These ladders have individual rungs shaped to prevent the foot slipping. A hand-hold at the top is useful. TABLE 2 Owner modifications Many owners surveyed had made modifications to their bins. Some of these include: Addition of roll tarps and steel lids. Modification of controls for easier operation. Painting the bottom of bins to make them slippery and easier to empty. Addition of lights. Improving external ladders. Shifting and increasing fuel tank size. Erecting longer augers to increase delivery height. Modifying auger support cabling and transport rests. Putting windows in the bins. Adding grain picklers. Changing B-section belt drives to C-section. Increasing engine power. Source: NAS 97 The panel praised the non-slip walkway across the top of the Cleverdon twin bin. Owner safety modifications Some farmers surveyed had modified ladders to improve access, while others had made detachable extensions to improve access to the bin ladder from ground level. The panel recommends this feature be added to all bins. One farmer added safety rails to the top of his bin, while another put protective covers on the top of his augers after several people got their jumpers caught on the shaft. The effort required and difficulty in lifting and fitting delivery augers and chutes into position also drew many negative comments from owners. Operator s manuals Ten of the 19 bins assessed by the Kondinin Group were supplied with operator s manuals. The National Standard for Plant and Occupational Health and Safety legislation requires manufacturers to provide operating instructions or a demonstration when supplying equipment. Adrian Hart, Junee, NSW, fitted this extension ladder to ease access to his Cole Bulk Handling bin. While the models supplied by Cole Engineering (models HD800SP and HD975), Cole Bulk Handling, Grainline, Jetstream, McDougall (seed and super bin), Tammin Steel Fabrications (Bright SL-70) and Walsh and Ford (grain buggy and combination) provided manuals, they often lacked many features required under state plant operators legislation. A manual for bulk seed and fertiliser bins should cover the purpose for which the bin is designed, any testing or inspections required, installation, operation, maintenance, cleaning, transport, storage, dismantling, safe systems of work and emergency procedures. Information also needs to be provided on the risks involved when using grain equipment, the respiratory hazards of grain dusts and the risk of incurring noise-induced hearing loss. Grainline provides a manual and a demonstration of the seed and fertiliser bin for the owner at the time of delivery. The manufacturer said this had reduced warranty claims and follow-up service greatly. Owners need to be aware that they are required to ensure employees using farm machinery are trained properly. Failing to train an employee to use a machine opens the farmer to legal liability if an accident occurs. The Grainline bin featured clear warning labels for operators. 34 The Cleverdon twin bin was the only one to feature a non-slip walkway. Panel member Mark Scott recording engine noise output. FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

4 Seed and fertiliser bins... Careful bin selection bags sowing returns There are two types of seed and fertiliser bins available a simple system where grain or fertiliser is gravity fed only to an auger or belt-delivery system, or a bin featuring some form of auger or belt-feeding system to the delivery point. Gravity-fed bins are cheaper, but auger bottom-type bins have a higher carrying capacity. The amount of seed and fertiliser handled by the bin and how often refills are required will determine the size required on-farm. The less expensive gravity-fed models are generally used in smaller cropping operations. It is important to assess delivery capacity requirements before making a buying decision. There is no point in buying a 4t/min bin if it is to be used to fill a 400kg combine box. Another consideration is the type of truck to be used. Most of the bins assessed were designed for truck mounting, with or without a tipping tray. For a farmer with a tipping tray, a less expensive option is to use an existing flat-sided bin with dividers and a bolt-on auger or tubulator at the rear to convey material to the sowing implement. These are commercially available or can be home-made. The main limitation is that only one material can be handled at a time. Take care to keep the bin stable when elevated and be aware of clearance with overhead power lines. Consider the location of the rear axle as it can cause the front wheels to lift off the ground while emptying and also get a full bin bogged in wet conditions. Some farmers commented that trucks with bogie rear axles had a stiffer suspension and were less prone to body roll and instability than single axles. But other comments indicated that bogie axle trucks were more prone to getting bogged when turning. Truck stability depends on the bin s centre of gravity. Gravity-fed bins tend to have higher centres of gravity than bins with horizontal feed augers or horizontal conveyor belts, so matching the bin to the truck is critical. Irrespective of bin design, the truck needs to be rated to carry the total weight of a fully laden bin. Do not place a bin on a truck bed just because it fits. A bin with a high centre of gravity on a short truck tray is an accident waiting to happen. After basic requirements are met, the next step is to assess the features of different bins. Features include the ability to handle different types of materials, the rate of delivery for efficient filling, ease of cleaning out, prevention of cross-contamination of materials, cover or sealing from weather and moisture, centre of gravity, legal load limits of the truck, and side or rear delivery. Delivery type and grain damage The most common type of delivery system is a screw auger extending at right angles to the side of the bin. There are three other types; the paddle made popular by Jetstream, a belt or tubulator on the Riteway and Vennings, and a bucket or cup-belt as used by Heaslip. Manufacturers claim that belt and bucket systems convey material more gently, making the machines better for handling damageprone grains, such as legumes. A possible explanation for the lack of evidence of grain damage by augers during testing is that the augers were operating at full capacity, resulting in reduced metal contact with seed. Auger design The tests backed up farmer comments that augers had some problems handling large seeds, such as faba beans. Auger design for handling materials is based on a certain amount of clearance between the auger flighting and the barrel. Ideally, this clearance should be the same as the thickness of the seed to be moved. RESEARCH Buyers need to match bin delivery capacity to sowing requirements. Inset: Bins will deliver material through either a delivery auger (right) or a belt (left), bucket or paddle feeding system. The Bright SL-70 is the only auger-type bin which features a hydraulic drive. Several farmers surveyed said that augers handled faba beans slower than other grains, and seeds became wedged between the flighting and the barrel. Some manufacturers offer increased auger flighting clearance as an option to overcome this. The alternative is a belt or bucket delivery system. Auger delivery bins are generally cheaper to produce, and with an auger for each bin they have the ability to deliver two materials at once. The tests found auger capacity for wheat was limited to a maximum of about 500kg/min while bucket and belt feed systems were able to achieve up to 1000kg/min. But bins with bucket and belt feed systems can only handle one material at a time so auger bins able to handle two materials at a time will achieve a similar total fill time. The type of seeding implement used will also influence fill time as air seeder boxes can be filled initially without holding down tubes and with two materials at once, while single operator combines will only be able to fill one box. Auger units can handle higher outputs if larger diameter barrels are used and engine power is increased. The auger on the bottom of bins have a cover over the horizontal auger to drag material to the delivery auger. The Jetstream bin has skeleton flighting and the Cole Engineering bins have adjustable cover heights. The Heaslip deluxe bin features an auger delivery in the bottom of the bin. A clear limitation of covered horizontal augers was the delivery capacity of the bins dramatically dropped off the more the cover was exposed. The speed of material flow down the floor angle to the cover restricts the horizontal auger from moving material at normal capacity. Steeper pin angles such as on the Heaslip, or agitation can speed material flow and reduce the final amount of material to be cleaned out. The Cole units have a cam FARMING AHEAD No October

5 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... or oscillating vibration on their horizontal auger cover and Jetstream use light steel rod ticklers on the angled floor of the bin agitated by the horizontal auger flighting. Cleaning The gravity-fed bins and most of the bucket and belt delivery bins required the least amount of cleaning. The auger bottom bins all had some form of swing-away door underneath to drop material to clean out the bin, but material was left on the deck of the truck. The exception is where the bin is directly mounted to the truck chassis. All auger units had some form of clean-out door at the auger base. Material left inside the bin was minimal, with the most filling less than a bucketful. Belt systems, which are largely self-cleaning, left the least material. Other products such as oats or damp fertiliser are prone to flow problems. Panel members commented that some of the belt and bucket delivery bins were left clean after material ran out while the auger type units had residue remaining. The horizontal floor agitation systems on the Cole and Jetstream models aid cleaning by minimising the amount of material left behind. Blockages can be difficult to free on delivery augers, as the augers cannot be reversed. The Jetstream 5-in-1 features noisy wire ticklers which are moved by the horizontal augers to assist material flow. Some farmers had incorporated a manual reverse system by adapting the protruding shaft to allow the auger to be rotated by a ratchet, spanner or crank. Handling fertilisers Feedback from farmers and manufacturers revealed a lack of understanding of fertilisers and their effect on handling machinery. If moisture levels in the air surrounding fertiliser are higher than the critical relative humidity of the fertiliser, then the fertiliser will absorb moisture from the air. If the relative humidity is lower than the critical relative humidity then water will evaporate from the fertiliser into the air. When fertiliser absorbs moisture from the air some of the fertiliser salts are dissolved in the water. When the water evaporates the dissolved salts crystallise. Some crystals form minute hair-like structures which are fragile and break down to form dust, hence the surface of a stored fertiliser heap reacts with atmospheric moisture to form dust or powder. Every time fertiliser is handled, a small amount of fine material is created, more so for single super. The main resulting problem is variable fertiliser metering rates as fines build up in the metering system, affecting the flow of material. Moisture in the metering system worsens build-up problems. Cleaning the fertiliser compartment and metering system once a week will prevent most problems. A daily check for fines build-up and for the effects of overnight moisture absorption will allow remedial action to be taken to prevent blockages and down time. Fines perform differently to granules in air seeder systems. When fertiliser is moved into a bin, the larger fertiliser granules tend to roll to the outside while fines and broken granules stay in the centre. It is important that segregated material is re-mixed before application. Smaller material will settle to the bottom of a truck or air seeder box while travelling. TABLE 3 Specifications of bulk seed and fertiliser bins Make and model Delivery Discharge Front bin Rear bin Delivery Delivery Transport Floor type feed capacity capacity diameter height** width angle (m3) (m3) (mm) (mm) under 2.5m (degrees) Bird twin-bin $8700 Auger Gravity Bright SL-70 $20,450 Auger Auger Cleverdon twin bin $10,480-$10,880 Auger Gravity Cole Engineering HD975 $10,260-$11,300 Auger Auger Cole Engineering HD800SP $13,100-$22,000 Auger Auger (2740) 36 Cole Bulk Handling HD800SP $8780-$17,300 Auger Auger (2700) 32 Finch grain buggy $22,000-$25,400 Auger Gravity 5-15 tonne 5-15 tonne GrainLine vertical drill-fill $2150 Auger Gravity N/A N/A *** N/A Heaslip deluxe $12,700-$14,900 Bucket-cup Auger cup Heaslip economy $8950 Bucket-cup Gravity cup Heaslip rear hydraulic $17,600-$19,900 Bucket-cup Belt cup Jetstream Gruper 5-in-1 $14,800-$19,950 Paddle Auger tonne* tonne* paddle Jetstream economy bin $9995-$10,400 Auger Gravity McDougall Weldments $8800 Auger Gravity Miitze Industries $4455-$7915 Auger Gravity Parkes Steel Products $9100 Auger Gravity (2460) Riteway seed and super unit $13,860-14,631 Belt Belt mm belt Vennings standard-economy $5685-$10,975 Auger Gravity **** 40 Vennings max-fill $11,460 Belt Gravity mm belt Walsh and Ford buggy $15,255-$19,435 Auger Gravity 5, 6, 7.5 tonne 5, 6, 7.5 tonne 225(275) Walsh and Ford combination $5950-$8875 Auger Gravity Note* Superphosphate only. Note** All measurements do not include truck tray height. The Finch and Walsh and Ford grain buggies were measured from ground level. Note*** Varies depending on tipping angle. Truck height range indicated at 40 degrees. Note**** Under 2.5m on rear delivery model. 36 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

6 Seed and fertiliser bins... RESEARCH Cole Engineering was the only manufacturer to provide a guard over the auger ends. Ease of use A seed and fertiliser bin s ease of use is affected by its design and drive system. Of the 19 bins assessed, the most common design consisted of twin augers extending from the side of the bin. The drives to the augers varied from complex belt and pulley systems to a simple single or double engines with a belt for each auger. In some cases, hydraulics were used to drive components, which increases the cost of the bins but improves the ease and flexibility of use. The engagement of drive to the delivery systems varied from belt tensioners, centrifugal clutches, dog clutches and electric The Bird and McDougall bins feature bi-lock pulleys and spaced bearing bearing blocks. clutch pulleys to permanently running delivery systems with rope or linear actuator controlled door-opening to let material through. Operator control on the Bright SL-70, the Cleverdon and the Parkes was only at the top of the delivery system, high off the ground. The Cleverdon position is adjustable. Others used ropes or levers which could be operated from the ground or as an attachment to the seeding machine. Several machines such as the Finch grain buggy and Heaslip rear hydraulic had electronic remote control boxes and cable arrangements. During tests, the Heaslip Rear Hydraulic s delivery system clogged if the discharge door was opened too fast or too wide. A number of Engine No. of No. of Engine Delivery Cover Tray or Operator s power bearings of belts location location chassis manual kw (hp) mount 6.7(9) 8 2 Side Side Tarp Tray 8.2(11) 4 Hyd Side Side Roll tarp Tray 6.7(9) 6 3 Side Side Lid Tray 6.7(9) 21 6 Side Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis 13.4(18) Side Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis 9.8(12) Side Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis PTO 4 0 Front Side Roll tarp N/A 3.7(5) 2 2 Rear Rear N/A Tipping bin 10.4(14) 12 8 Side Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis 4.9(6) 6 1 Side Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis 10.4(14) 8 Hyd Side Rear Roll tarp Tray-chassis 6.7(9) 16 3 Side Side Roll tarp Tray 6(8) 6 3 Side Side Roll tarp Tray 4.9(6.5) 4 2 Rear Side Roll tarp Tray-chassis 4.1(5.5) 4 2 Rear Side Tarp Tray 4.1(5.5) 4 2 Side Side Lid Tray 6.7(9) 10 2 Rear Rear Lid Tray 6.7(9) 12 6 Side-rear Side-rear Lid-tarp Tray 9.7(13) 9 Hyd Side-rear Side-rear Lid Tray PTO 4 2 Front Side Options N/A 4.1(5.5) 2 1 Rear Side Options Tray An example of the Cole Engineering guard that can be easily removed and replaced by the operator. belt, bucket and auger units had delivery from the rear of the bin as an option. Most belt and cup delivery systems are, by necessity, rear delivery. Side delivery is more suited to one-person operations because it is easier to position in relation to combines and air seeders. Delivery systems Some rear delivery systems are permanently fixed and require no effort or additional manoeuvring to set up. They are cheaper to buy, but overhang needs to be checked to ensure road regulations are met. Side delivery is most common. Folding and unfolding varies from completely hydraulic to simple manual lift by the operator. Most units are not designed to be transported outside the paddock with material in the delivery system. Delivery tubes usually fold against the bins when not in use and for transport. Manual positioning is the simplest. But because it involves the most physical effort, it is best suited to small augers on basic gravityfed systems. The simplest assisted means of elevating and swinging tubes into the delivery position is a mechanical winch. An alternative to a winch is a hydraulic jack to make elevation easier, but some effort is required to swing the delivery tube into position. Hydraulic delivery systems minimise the time taken to set up and adjust the machines. They are more expensive. Engines Engines on the units tested varied from 3.7 kilowatts to 13.4kW petrol powered, with and without an electric start. Most manufacturers offer a range of engines, power outputs and alternative configurations. The smaller, simpler units have fewer available options. Bins which use two engines have a higher risk of engine failure. Take care to maintain engines regularly to prevent sowing delays. The most common positioning point was on the side in front of the first delivery point. Most rear delivery units had the engines at the rear as well. Positioning had a major impact on service access to air filters, filling fuel tanks, tension adjustments or mounting bolts, and oil replacement. FARMING AHEAD No October

7 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... Bright SL-70 The Bright SL-70 is totally hydraulic and features a cross floor auger design with two 200mm augers in the centre right hand side to deliver material. It is easy to operate using a single 8.2kW Honda engine. The panel felt the hydraulic controls, which engage and disengage flow, were located too far up the augers. Clamps hold the augers in place once raised. When tested, the maximum delivery capacity for this bin was 326kg/min for wheat and 257kg/min for DAP. The floor angle is 41 degrees which emptied well with final cleaning out by a bottom drop door in each bin and a small door at the base of the auger. As with any horizontal auger base bin, more material needs to be cleaned from the truck tray. The discharge augers can be reversed by switching over the hydraulic lines to aid in cleaning. The augers have a powder-coated PVC lining to allow conveying of fertiliser to be frictional and free of build-up. The use of hydraulics for all functions of the unit has made the unit more costly but the flexibility of hydraulics allows for the engine angle to be turned to prevent gas exhaust. The panel thought that the flexibility available with the hydraulic system should be used to allow the manufacturer to turn the engine to prevent gas exhausting in the operator s face. The panel was critical of ladder access to the bin. A roll tarp is standard on the bin. When tested, an operator s manual was not provided. A manual is expected to be available with the bins as a result of the Kondinin Group tests. Hydraulic system is easy to use. No guarding required. Robust construction. Easy folding. Cannot control discharge from ground. Expensive hydraulic system. Insufficient ladder access. $22,100. Tammin Steel Fabrications Tammin WA 6409 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) An operator s manual will be supplied as standard following the Kondinin Group tests. This space has been left intentionally blank Bird twin bin The panel gave a good rating to the twin-bin for its simple design, ease of use and cleaning. The unit is available with small single or twin gravity-fed bins. Augers (150mm) in the base of the bin deliver material to the sowing unit. The bin is driven by a single 3.7kW Honda engine with rope activated throw-over and cut-off doors. The ropes are coloured red and blue for easy identification when engaging and disengaging material flow. Delivery capacity tests recorded a maximum of 306kg/min for wheat and 246kg/min for DAP for this bin. The augers are raised by separate hand winches with clamps to hold them in place. The panel felt that the small fitted tarps which covered each bin could be improved by a better clip. The inside of each bin is painted in a white corrosion resistant material. The augers have a powder coated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) lining, allowing fertiliser to be handled without the risk of friction and build-up. The bearings mounted to the auger ends have a washer space added between the bearing housing and the auger ends. The manufacturers claim this allows moisture and fine dust to escape, reducing the risk of corrosion and bearing seal damage. The panel was concerned at the lack of guarding of the drive system, poor ladder access to the bin and failure to provide an operator s manual. Good material flow. Ease of cleaning. Easy belt adjustment. Insufficient guarding of drive system. Insufficient ladder access. No operator s manual. $8700. DG and JR Bird Popanyinning WA 6309 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) All future models will have guarding and a folding tarp cover is being developed. 38 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

8 Seed and fertiliser bins... The Cleverdon is a gravity-fed bin with two 150mm diameter augers delivering material from the right side of the unit. There are three control systems available to engage and disengage material flow electrically operated switches near the top, cableoperated belt tensioners instead of the electric clutches and a mechanical door controlling material flow to the base of the augers. Using constant velocity joints instead of universal joints will improve the life of belts, bearings, pulley keys and splines. But the vibrations produced by angled universals may aid the unloading of sticky materials. The delivery capacity tests recorded a maximum of 390kg/min for wheat and 342kg/min for DAP for this bin. An ultraviolet-resistant PVC tube is used for the auger barrel to reduce fertiliser build-up. The electric control switch is mounted on the underside of the elevated auger with a shaped Cleverdon twin bin bracket to minimise excess moisture. The panel praised the bin s access ladders and non-slip walkway. The drive system was well-guarded but there were too many bolts holding the guards in place, making removal and replacement difficult. Ease of use, the PVC auger barrel, cleaning and access to the bin top were also praised. But panel members were critical of the lack of an operator s manual and the inability to operate the bin from the ground. The Cleverdon is also available as a single bin unit. Ladder and top access. PVC auger design. Ease of use. Ease of cleaning. Cannot control discharge from ground. No operator s manual. RESEARCH s $10,480 for the base model. $10,880 for the electric clutch-drive bin. Cleverdon Steel Temora NSW 2666 Ph: (02) Fax: (02) The manufacturer has viewed this report and comments have been incorporated within the text. Cole Engineering HD800SP and HD975 The Cole Engineering HD800SP and HD975 bins are horizontal auger bins with twin augers for side discharge. An engine with a power range of kW drives a system of pulleys, belts, universal joints and gearboxes. Both units had the highest number of drive components of all bins evaluated. The panel was concerned this might lead to higher maintenance requirements. But the panel praised the extended grease lines to the greasable bearings available on current models. A roll-tarp is fitted standard on all models and a work light on the HD800SP. Panel members were pleased with the guarding, which consisted of flat sheet steel on the ends to protect the cross auger drive system and 45mm square weldmesh and 3mm diameter mesh on the centre drive components. The panel found the mesh very easy to remove. Guarding around the engine drive pulley of the HD975 needs to be improved. There is sufficient ladder access on the outside of both models but only the HD800SP had a step inside the bin for improved access. The auger ends have small plastic covers to protect the ends of the shafts with access holes to grease the bearings. These end covers were the only ones provided by any manufacturer. The auger cover height has a big impact on the machine s delivery capacity and needs to be raised to improve output. When tested with DAP fertiliser, capacity increased by 50-60% with the cover fully raised. The units are cleaned through drop and slide doors in the bottom of each auger. When testing delivery capacity, the HD800SP recorded 504kg/min for wheat and 240kg/min for DAP. Moist conditions during testing may have influenced these results. The HD975 recorded 389kg/min for wheat and 240kg/min for DAP. The total combined delivery rate exceeds the manufacturer s claim of 500kg/min. Auger lengths are optional for higher filling applications. Current models have a melted PVC powder coating on the inside of the auger barrel to reduce fertiliser build-up. Augers are raised by a single hand winch and continuous cable between the two barrels. The HD800SP uses levers to engage and disengage the discharge system while the HD975 uses rope cables. The panel was impressed by the bins thorough operator s manual, which can be stored in a sealed tube near the engine. Cole also manufactures these bins as triple bin units. Robust construction. Attention to guarding and other safety features. Operator s manual. Poor access for cleaning. High maintenance of drive system. s HD975 $10,260-$11,300. HD800SP $13,100-$22,000. Cole model HD800SP seed and fertiliser bin. Cole model HD975 seed and fertiliser bin. Cole Engineering Kellerberrin WA 6410 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) The manufacturer has viewed this report. FARMING AHEAD No October

9 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... Cole Bulk Handling HD800SP The Cole Bulk Handling HD800SP is designed to ensure the total width of the bin is kept within recent changes to road traffic regulations. The testing panel liked the ease of use, safety guarding, PVC auger barrel and delivery capacity of the bin. The bin is powered by a 9kW petrol engine. Additional drive components to the belts and bearings are two gearboxes directly coupled to the delivery auger. Survey respondents and panel members cautioned that this high number of drive components might lead to higher maintenance requirements. Current models have extended grease lines to the greasable bearings to assist with general maintenance, a feature praised by panel members. When tested, the Cole bin recorded a maximum delivery capacity of 528kg/min for wheat and 346kg/min which just meets the manufacturer s combined claim of kg/min. To reduce width, the augers tuck in under the edge of the bin. The bins are robust and the auger barrels are now PVC instead of lined steel tubing. The PVC is painted and sits within a gutter-like frame for UV protection. Also praised was the guarding which consists of flat sheet steel on the ends protecting the cross auger drive system and mesh on the centre drive components. The cross auger shaft was enclosed in a PVC sleeve, like a PTO guard. Ladder access on the outside is adequate but could be improved by adding more steps and a non-slip surface. Similar to the Cole Engineering HD800SP and HD975, cover height has a big effect on the throughput of the machine and must be raised for higher output. The agitation system on the cross auger oscillates the auger cover. Cleaning out is through bottom-drop doors and slide doors in the bottom of each auger. Extra cleaning is required to remove dropped material from the truck tray. Longer augers are optional for higher filling applications. Augers are raised into position by a single hand winch and continuous cable between the two barrels. The bin uses levers to engage and disengage the discharge system, which can be operated from the ground or from on top of the seeding unit to be filled. A roll-tarp and work light is standard, with an electric winch optional instead of the manual standard version. The panel liked the comprehensive operator s manual which can be sealed in a tube and stored near the engine. Triple bin units are also available. Robust construction. Well-designed guards Narrow transport width. PVC auger tubing. Extra cleaning required. Higher maintenance of drive system. $8780-$17,300 Cole Bulk Handling West Wyalong NSW 2671 Ph: (02) Fax: (02) The steps on the ladder are designed to be far apart to limit access by children. The operator s manual includes a warranty card for signature after demonstration of the bin upon delivery. Finch grain buggy Finch Engineering manufacture a dual-purpose grain buggy or chaser bin for harvest and planting. The bin has separate compartments and augers for grain and fertiliser. The compartments are gravity-fed and have twin 250mm augers that are PTO-powered from a tractor. Its delivery capacity is claimed to be 4t/min but this was not tested by the Kondinin Group. The standard unit comes with a roll-tarp, adjustable pull, clean-out slides and hydraulically folding augers. Large 30.5 x 32 tyres carry the 15 tonne load of grain and fertiliser. An electric hand switch positioned on the end of each spout allows the unit to be operated from the top of an air seeder. A small hydraulic ram controls the cutoff plates to regulate or stop the flow of grain. A remote electric switch mounted at the top of the augers controls this operation. Ladder access at the front and rear of the bins is of high standard. Guarding has been minimised by the design of the drive system and its location under the bins. The panel was critical at the lack of operator s manual supplied with the bin. Robust construction. Flexibility for seeding and harvest use. Volume and output capacity. Ease of cleaning. Needs a tractor. No operator s manual. $22,000 with no tyres $25,400 with new tyres Finch Engineering Kaimkillenbun Queensland 4406 Ph: (07) Fax: (07) The manufacturer was happy with the report. The provision of an operator s manual is being reviewed. 40 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

10 Seed and fertiliser bins... RESEARCH Grainline vertical drill-fill The Grainline vertical drill-fill is an attachment to an existing tipping grain bin and uses a divider to separate seed and fertiliser. The unit was powered by a two stroke 3.7kW petrol motor, which is designed to operate at varying angles without affecting performance. The drive is single, using a centrifugal clutch and a double belt pulley connected to the bottom of the auger shaft. When tested for delivery capacity, the maximum recorded was 188kg/min for wheat and 187kg/min for DAP. These figures fall short of the manufacturer s claim of 300kg/min for each. The panel praised the safety features including the guards and signs and stickers warning users of operating hazards. A solenoid switch to reverse the auger for cleaning out is available on hydraulic and electric drives, while the petrol models have a manual reverse handle at the base of the auger. The flow control had a rotary action instead of conventional vertical slide, which was prone to jamming. Minimal cleaning out was required and the units are well constructed and finished. This filling system is a cheaper alternative to a dedicated bin. But the panel was concerned that the unit could become unstable when the tipping tray and bin are in the raised position for discharge. The panel liked the information on set-up and parts contained in the operator s manual, which is complemented with instructions from the manufacturer on delivery. Easy to clean out. Cost-effective. Attention to safety. Worst feature Reduced stability with bin raised. $2150 plus bin modifications. Grainline Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Ph: (02) or (1800) The manufacturer is currently developing a 150mm diameter model for higher output and air seeders. Heaslip Heaslip manufactures a range of bulk seed and fertiliser bins, which use a bucket or cup elevator in the final delivery to the seeding implement. The economy model is gravity fed, the deluxe features an auger bottom bin and the double or triple rear delivery bins gravity feed to a horizontal belt. The cup elevators are made using a plastic cup bolted to a conveyor belt, available in 1-4 cups width. The manufacturer claims the bin has a delivery capacity of 25t/h (416 kg/min) per cup width. The cup belt is claimed to minimise grain damage, cause minimal dust output and no fertiliser build-up and require less power to work at angles more than 45 degrees. The rear hydraulic recorded a maximum delivery capacity of 775kg/min for wheat and 969kg/min for DAP. The DAP figure was above the manufacturer s claimed 833kg/min, while the wheat result fell short. The deluxe model recorded a delivery capacity of 222kg/min for wheat and 287kg/min for DAP, both falling short of the manufacturer s claims of 416kg/min for each. Moist conditions during testing are likely to have influenced results. Group did not test the economy model as its delivery system is the same as the deluxe. Roll-tarps are provided as standard. The rolltarp handle of the rear discharge units was obstructed by the elevator but this can be relocated to the front. The economy and deluxe models are driven by mechanical belts and pulleys while the rear delivery units are fully hydraulic. All bins are well constructed. The gravity-fed economy and rear delivery units were easy to clean while the deluxe has bottom-drop doors under the horizontal auger, which leaves material on the truck body when cleaning out. The transport width of all the units was less than 2.5m. All required some handling of the elevator to put them into the working position which made them one of the more difficult to set up. The deluxe and economy models use a small hydraulic jack to assist, while the rear discharge model uses a hydraulic ram. But the panel warns of problems resulting from possible flexing of support beams. The economy bin s elevator had to be stopped and swung out of operating position to clear any blockages. The double or triple bin rear discharge units have an electric-hydraulic controller on a cable to open and shut doors in the bin floors. This control was operator sensitive and did not have a simple on-off switch, which the panel found not as easy to use and a potential trap for a new operator. The horizontal conveyor belt can be overloaded if the switch was held on for too long and the bottom doors opened too far during the fertiliser capacity tests. The panel considered guarding to be satisfactory. And while the ladder on the economy model was excellent, it was only adequate on the rear discharge bin and was absent on the deluxe model. The panel was critical at the lack of an operator s manual supplied with the bin. Robust construction. Gentle cup belt action. Narrow transport width. Serviceable hydraulics on fully hydraulic model. Difficult to setup. Sensitive engagement on rear discharge unit. Lack of ladder on deluxe model. No operator s manual. Economy $8950 Deluxe $12,700-$14,900 Rear hydraulic $17,600-$19,900. Heaslip Products Burton SA 5110 Ph: (08) or (1800) Fax: (08) An operator s manual is being developed. Operators of the rear discharge unit have not reported problems after they familiarise themselves with the machines. FARMING AHEAD No October

11 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... Jetstream Gruper 5-in-1 The Jetstream Gruper 5-in-1 is a horizontal auger bottom bin with agitation and twin discharge tubes containing paddles for side delivery. Later models include a continuous drive to the paddle elevators, and a chain-drive horizontal auger engaged by an over-centre rope lever to a dog clutch. The bin is powered by a 9kW petrol engine. A 1993 unit supplied by a NSW farmer was tested for delivery capacity, the Jetstream recorded 245kg/min for wheat and 254kg/min for DAP. A non-standard engine pulley was used during the tests. The pulley was an intermediate size between the factory-supplied pulleys. Delivery rate figures in the test were adjusted upwards to reflect the smaller pulley which slightly slowed shaft speeds. The floor angle is one of the lowest at 30 degrees, which gives these bins a very low centre of gravity. To maintain material flow with the low floor angle, wire ticklers are attached to the floor and up the bin sides. The main downside to this system is the loud noise the ticklers make as the bin empties and the floor is exposed. The manufacturer claims these ticklers are only required when handling non-prilled fertiliser and that the operator s manual instructs their removal when not required. The panel found the guard at the bin front was difficult to remove when the bin was full, and the belts and pulleys between the discharge tubes were unguarded. As with all cross auger bins, more cleaning is required on the truck tray as the bottom-drop doors empty out considerable material. The gap between the doors and the tray was one of the narrowest of all the bins evaluated resulting in a lower centre of gravity but more cleaning difficulties. Some panel members found the elevator tubes on this bin more difficult to swing into place than others due to their weight, and drive belts must be placed over elevator drive pulleys. The panel also criticised the lack of ladders on the unit. The NSW factory also builds an economy Eco-Bin, which is a gravity-fed delivery bin with twin 150mm augers. Low centre of gravity. Narrow transport width. Engine distance from operator. Operating noise of ticklers. Extra cleaning required. No ladder. No guarding over pulley drives. $14,800-$19,950 Aussie Ag Wongan Hills WA 6603 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) Jetstream Dubbo NSW 2830 Ph: (02) Fax: (02) The manufacturer has viewed this report and some of the suggested amendments have been incorporated. McDougall seed and super bin The McDougall Weldments seed and super bin is a gravity-fed bin with twin side augers powered by a petrol 3.7kW Honda engine mounted at the rear of the bin. Panel members found this unit simple, easy to use, setup, service, adjust and clean. The bin delivered 375kg/min of wheat and 339kg/min of DAP when tested for delivery capacity. These results fell within the manufacturer s claims of kg/min for each auger. The drive system is simple, with a belt and two bearings for each auger. The 150mm augers are of light construction, allowing them to be manually lifted into place and locked down, the fastest of all the auger units evaluated. The bearings at either end of the auger have a washer space added between the bearing housing and the auger ends. The manufacturers claim this allows moisture and fine dust to escape, reducing the chance of corrosion and bearing seal damage. The pulleys at the base of the augers are a bilock, which allow easier removal and a small amount of variable speed ratio. The augers also have a powder coated PVC lining to allow fertiliser to be used without friction and build-up. After the engine is started, the augers run continuously and the material flow rate is controlled by rope which engages and disengages shut-off doors. The bin comes standard with a roll-tarp. Drive components are well guarded. The biggest shortcoming of this bin is the poor design of the ladders at each end. The ladder was incorporated in only the lower part of the frame with no hand holds. There was no operator s manual. Auger easy to raise. Ease of use. Well-guarded drive components. Short ladder, without hand-holds. $8800 McDougall Weldments Cuballing WA 6311 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) An operator s manual is now provided. 42 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

12 Seed and fertiliser bins... RESEARCH Parkes Steel Products builds a 12 tonne rear discharge gravity feed bin with twin augers, each with its own petrol 3.7kW Honda engine. The drive system is simple, with one belt and two bearings for each auger. The auger from the front bin travels through the rear bin. When tested for delivery capacity, the Parkes recorded 258kg/min for wheat and 209kg/min for DAP. The bins are well constructed with better than average ladder access, and hand-holds on the bin top. Inside the second bin is a separate barrel sleeve for the front auger to pass through. A ring of steel rods surrounding the auger barrel at the base run off any water. Each auger barrel has a throttle control which is accessible from combines or air seeders in addition to ground level access. The steel lids for each bin require a lot of physical effort to open and shut them. The gravity-fed system is easy to clean and there is an optional pickler that can be fitted to the front bin auger. The panel was critical of the insufficient guarding around the drive system and the lack of manual reverse for the front auger or an operator s manual. Narrow transport width. Well constructed. Good ladder access. Insufficient guarding of drive system. High centre of gravity. No operator s manual. $9100 Parkes Steel Products Parkes Steel Product Parkes NSW 2870 Ph: (02) Fax: (02) The manufacturer has viewed this report. Miitze Industries The Miitze Industries gravity-fed bin has single or twin 127mm augers, each with its own petrol 3.7kW Honda engine. The design features of the Miitze were assessed by the test panel, but the delivery capacity was not tested. The drive system is simple, having centrifugal clutches on the output shaft of each engine through one belt and two bearings for each auger. A remote throttle cable is attached to each auger barrel to speed up the engine to engage the centrifugal clutch and deliver seed or fertiliser. There is a shut-off door to each bin. The panel was critical of the lack of ladders to the bins, guarding and operator s manual. Narrow transport width. No guarding around belts. No ladder. No operator s manual. This space has been left intentionally blank s Four tonne $4455 Five tonne single auger $5330 Five tonne twin auger $7915. Miitze Industries Dalby Queensland 4405 Ph: (07) Fax: (07) Queensland regulations do not require these features but the manufacturer plans to make them available in the future. FARMING AHEAD No October

13 RESEARCH Seed and fertiliser bins... Riteway seed and super unit The Riteway is a rear delivery unit which gravity feeds material to a horizontal belt under two bins. The bin tested was powered by a 6.7kW engine, but other options are available. The engine is mounted at the rear of the machine and drives the two conveyor belts. The Riteway recorded a delivery capacity of 1016kg/min of wheat and 1221kg/min of DAP when tested by the panel. The 40-degree floor angle required minimal cleaning. The discharge doors are operated from the top of the discharge tube or at ground level by a cable. The doors are fully adjustable, running along a short length of each bin bottom. The bins are constructed solidly and fully enclosed lids or tarps are optional. The rear delivery belt is permanently mounted to the rear of the bin. The panel considered this bin s ladder above average. The bin also has handle-shaped brackets to aid in getting it on and off the truck. But the panel was critical of the fixed and obtrusive guarding around the drive belt system and with the lack of an operator s manual. Variable flow adjustment. Ease of cleaning out. Ladder access. Poor design of belt guarding. No operator s manual. 4.3m unit $13, m unit $14,361. Riteway Farming Australia Bute SA 5560 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) Manufacturer s comment Units are available in size up to six metres with optional two, three or four bin divisions. Higher outlet discharge is also available. This space has been left intentionally blank Vennings Vennings build a gravity-fed bin, available as a side or rear auger delivery. The bin is available in standard or economy models. The standard has steel lids and a 6.7kW petrol engine, and the economy has tarps and a 4kW petrol engine. The standard rear delivery bin was tested by the panel, who found it simple and easy to use. When tested for delivery capacity, the Vennings recorded a maximum discharge capacity of 174kg/min for wheat and 297kg/min for DAP. The front bin auger passes through the rear bin, and has a handle for manual reverse to assist cleaning out. Wet weather on the day of testing proved the weatherproof capabilities of the steel lids. The panel also found the bin s guarding to be poor, bin doors hard to adjust, engine mount weak, belt adjustment and replacement difficult, ladders poor and lid handles too high. The bin s rope controls were also considered difficult to adjust. The bin floor angle of 45 degrees aided the emptying of the bins and cleaning out. The panel was critical of the lack of operator s manual provided with the test unit. Vennings also builds a belt-delivery unit called the Maxi-Fill. The bin is hydraulically driven and features a unique fold and swinging delivery belt system. The front bin is designed for fertiliser handling and has a horizontal cross auger with a bottom drop door for cleaning. The rear bin is designed to gravity feed seed onto the delivery belt. The discharge doors are opened by linear actuators and are controlled from the top of the elevator. This bin is fitted with a 9.7kW petrol engine and has waterproof lids as standard. 44 FARMING AHEAD No October 1998

14 Seed and fertiliser bins... RESEARCH Walsh and Ford Walsh and Ford build a combination seed and fertiliser bin for trucks and a trailed seed and fertiliser grain buggy for hitching behind a tractor. The design features of the Walsh and Ford were assessed by the test panel, but the delivery capacity was not tested. Both use a gravity-fed system and side auger delivery. While the grain buggy uses the power of a tractor, the combination bin uses a 4kW Honda engine for each compartment and 150mm diameter auger. The grain buggy s augers are 240mm diameter standard with an optional 280mm. Tractor hydraulics are used for auger folding. The grain buggy is also suitable for chaser bin operation during harvest. The combination bin is available in single or twin auger versions; the single auger model using separate doors to deliver material from separate three tonne compartments to the one auger. The twin auger unit has separate 4t compartments. The bin floor angle of both bins is 45 degrees, which the panel felt assisted in the emptying of the bins and cleaning. The Walsh and Ford combination bin for trucks. A factory roll-tarp is available or a frame is provided for the farmer s own cover. Adequate ladders are provided on both bins and the combination bin is well-guarded. A basic operator s manual is supplied. Cleaning out. High centre of gravity. Wide transport width. Combination bin $5875-$8875 Grain buggy $15,255-$19,435. The Walsh and Ford grain buggy for tractors. Walsh and Ford Dalby Queensland 4405 Ph: (07) or (07) Fax: (07) Manufacturer s comment The manufacturer has viewed this report. The following manufacturers were unable to attend the seed and fertiliser bin tests carried out by the Kondinin Group; R. K. Macey (Ph: (03) ), Sherwell (Ph: (03) ), Grain Commander (Ph: (08) ) and Don Manning (Ph: (08) ). Ease of cleaning out. Ease of use. Short ladder, without hand-holds. Light construction. Difficult belt adjustment. s Standard-Economy $5685-$10,975 Maxi-Fill $11,460. Vennings Kadina SA 5554 Ph: (08) Fax: (08) The manufacturer has viewed this report. Acknowledgements This space has been left intentionally blank The Kondinin Group thanks the following people for their assistance in preparing this report: Agriculture WA, CSBP Fertilisers WA, Hi-Fert SA, Pivot NSW, Academy of Grain Technology Victoria, Hart Seeds, Nigel Williamson, Andrew Colliver, John Harris, Jim Bettess, David, Justin and Stuart of Davon Pastoral, Adrian Hart, John Hillam, Phill McCauley, Ed Blanchard. Research: Scott Boyle, Peter Walsh and Mark Scott. FARMING AHEAD No October