Grain probe
With bins emptying out before the end of the crop year, it’s a good time for producers thinking of installing a remote grain probe to shop around.
Probes are designed to ease the job of testing the moisture of grain in a bin.
Instead of climbing a ladder with a pail and probing the grain through the access hold at the top of the bin, a pipe system is installed to supply a sample of grain from inside the bin. The farmer never leaves the ground.
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Rollie MacKay, of Alexander, Man., has designed a 1.25 inch diameter steel probe welded to a plate that bolts to the inside wall of a steel bin.
To get a sample, a cap on the end of the probe is removed and a piece of rebar is shoved in to loosen grain, allowing it to fall down the tube into a pail for testing. He makes 40-inch and 60-inch models.
For more information contact MacKay at Box 80, Alexander, Man., R0K 0A0 or phone 204-752-2107.
Another design
Dick’s Samplers of Brock Sask., also manufactures probes.
This unit has a steeply inclined steel tube that extends into the grain bin. By pulling an attached rope, an internal push rod opens the valve on the probe, allowing grain to fall down the tube. Releasing the rope cuts off the grain flow.
The sampler tube is about five feet long. For more information write Dick’s Samplers at Box 41, Brock, Sask., S0L 0H0 or phone 306-379-4405.
Conveyors, move hoppers
D&R Manufacturing of Fiske, Sask., has introduced three new products.
One is a high-speed conveyor for cereals and special crops. The 10-inch diameter unit can move up to 120 bushels per minute. It includes a patented accelerator that is a four- inch piece of auger flighting that can move special crops quickly. The unit is driven hydraulically off a tractor p.t.o. or a motor.
The company has introduced the Viper conveyor for unloading semi-trailers or hopper bins.
The 12-inch conveyor has a chevron belt with the capacity to move up to 110 bushels per minute.
A track is mounted on a stationary auger-conveyor, allowing the unit to swing up to 180 degrees. Hydraulic levers can run off a motor or a tractor.
The company has also developed a system for hauling hopper cones.
For more information contact D&R Manufacturing at Box 64, Fiske, Sask., S0L 1C0 or phone 306-377-4433.
New websites
Two new internet tools are designed to give a marketing advantage.
The Equine Research Centre at Guelph, Ont. has created a marketing showcase on its website on the internet. The site, located at www.erc.on.ca, also includes information on horse health, industry information and links to other equine sites.
The Alberta AgFood Alliance has launched a website. It has information on Alberta companies and a couple of discussion groups focusing on value-added marketing.
It also has a section that provides international market information. This section has no fee, but requires registration.
The site is located at www.agfood-alliance.ab.ca.
