FARGO, N.D. – High capacity combines working with grain carts and semi trucks have significantly improved harvest efficiency.
But on many farms, the larger machines have simply moved the bottleneck from the field to the bin site.
Sitting idle in the combine cab with a full hopper while waiting for the truck can give a person plenty of time to think about how to improve truck turnaround.
That was the situation for Illinois farmer Steve Mast, who figured that every minute his combine sat still waiting for the truck was costing him money. Not only was his combine investment sitting idle when it should have been working, but each wait translated into greater risk of losing grade because of weather.
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Mast came up with the Pit Express. While there is nothing new about drive-over unload systems for hopper bottom trucks, his system takes the concept one step further.
With a total ramp rise of only 7.5 inches, it’s easy for even novice truck drivers to position the hopper directly over the opening on the first try with no more back and forth.
“We figure it eliminates at least five minutes each time you unload,” said Mast, who shared his solution with other farmers at this year’s Big Iron Show held Sept. 11-13 in Fargo, North Dakota.
“For each truck turnaround, that can mean five more minutes your combine will be working instead of waiting. There’s no more pushing that swing-away hopper under the trailer. You simply drive up the little ramp and you’re ready to unload. It’s only seven and a half inches, so it fits under any hopper bottom trailer.”
The other time-saving feature of the Pit Express is that it bolts directly to the auger so it moves as a single unit from one site to the next. Mast said it takes three minutes to set it up for a new bin.
Although the Pit Express bolts to any brand of auger, Mast said most of the units he’s sold have gone onto Brandt and Westfield augers.
The Pit Express for 10 inch augers handles 5,000 bushels per hour and sells for $7,800 US. The pit opening is 43 inches long and 46 inches wide with a pair of six-inch trough augers feeding to the side.
The Pit Express for 13 inch augers handles 8,500 bu. per hour and sells for $8,800. The pit opening is 47 inches long and 46 inches wide with three, six-inch trough augers feeding to the side.
For more information, contact Steve Mast at 217-656-3911 or visit www.pitexpress.com.
