Giant Conveyor Moves A Mountain Of Grain

Giant Conveyor Moves A Mountain Of Grain GRAIN HANDLING Conveyors FARM SHOW reader Jim Armstrong of Westlock Alta recently wrote us to say we should contact the Peterson brothers of Jarvie Alta for a story about their amazing grain conveyor     The Peterson brothers - Don Wayne Len and Ervin - get a lot of use out of the 100-ft long self-propelled unit they built from a 20-in dia steel tube and a 30-in wide Chevron belt     The Petersons needed a high-capacity grain mover for their joint farming operation and started by building the main frame from 4 by 4 by 1/4-in steel tubing      This rig s capacity is up to 300 bu per minute Don explains If the angle is really steep it might drop down to about 150 bu per minute     It rides on dual wheels from a truck with the wheelbase extended to 13 ft The smaller set of wheels is from a 3/4-ton truck with 16-in tires     The conveyor is driven by a 400 Ford engine that s coupled to a hydrostatic pump At the top of the conveyor there s a hydrostatic motor from a 760 Massey combine as well as a baler gear box which reduces the speed and drives the 20-in drum with rubber friction pads The belt is tightened lineally by sliding the bottom section of the pipe down over top of the main tube Don explains     A hydraulic motor drives a transmission tied to the rear end which provides speed options up to a maximum of about 7 mph     When moving the unit the Petersons usually walk beside it operating the waist-level controls Since there is no seat they sit on the frame if they move it any distance     One hydraulic pump drives the machine They switch back and forth as needed from the belt circuit using a lever on the variable speed pump to control the speed     Another pump supplies oil for the lift and steering The scissor-type lift is a telescopic cylinder from a gravel truck box     The top end of the conveyor can be brought down to ground level for servicing There s a removable deflector on the end that deflects straight down It s removed when they re filling a large quonset building allowing the grain to shoot off the end another 15 to 20 ft     Another feature of the rig is its catwalk which allows the Petersons to easily open bins and look into them One-inch pipe runs the length of the catwalk and loops back again; it s dual-purpose since it cools the oil that flows through it plus serves as a handrail and guardrail for the catwalk As a result it s also a hand-warmer in the winter     The main purpose for building the rig was to handle peas without shattering them but it also works great for wheat They generally run the conveyor at a 40 to 45-ft height but the unit is designed to go up to 50 ft     According to Don added bonuses of having this unit are they also use it as a crane to lift and move objects weighing up to 1 000 lbs such as grain augers on their dryer and as a scaffold for high buildings or trimming trees In addition they have sat at the top of it          Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Don Peterson 10604 109 Ave Westlock Alta Canada T7P 1C1 ph 780 349-7126

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