BRANDON – Norstar Industries recently introduced an 18-inch rubber drive wheel for its U-Trough bin unload system.
The new Sure Grip solid rubber tire is vulcanized directly to the wheel’s steel rim, said Michael Kroeker of Norstar, which operates in Morris, Man.
As the U-Trough makes a 360-degree sweep, the drive wheel needs enough force to push the drag auger’s flighting into the grain pile.
“Previously, we had a small diameter rubber drive wheel that attached directly to the end of the auger shaft, so it ran at the same r.p.m. as the auger shaft,” Kroeker said.
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Norstar decided last year that it needed a larger diameter drive wheel.
As a result, it installed a 16:1 gear reduction box at the end of the auger shaft. The 18 inch Sure Grip Wheel bolts to the gearbox.
The weight of the gearbox, the larger diameter tire and grooves in the rubber all contribute to better traction in the bin.
“It will still slip somewhat. That’s what it’s designed to do. But not so much that it buries itself into the grain pile,” Kroeker said.
“We think it pushes the flighting very well. The 11 inch U-Trough unloads 8,000 bushels per hour. It keeps a 13 inch yard auger full.”
The new wheel is now standard on all U-Trough systems. The smaller diameter wheel has been eliminated from the line.
The Sure Grip can be retrofitted to existing Norstar and WestSteel systems. The kit sells for $550 and includes the gearbox, wheel and a flighting extension with partial backboard.
The U-Trough fits all flat-bottom full aeration bins from 14 to 72 feet in diameter.
They are available in eight or 11 inch models. The unload can be vertical, horizontal or inclined at 25 degrees.
For more information, contact Michael Kroeker at 204-746-8200 #24 or visit www.u-drain.ca.
