FARGO, N.D. – Uniform distribution of grain in the bin is important for effective aeration and drying.
Without a spreader, some areas in the grain pile become denser than others and the desired air flow is disturbed.
With a motorized spreader, the heavier grain goes to the outside and the fines drop to the centre of the bin, according to Bruce Holland of Custom Marketing Company in Fargo.
Although his company still sells motorized spreaders, it is swinging in favour of a nonmotorized grain distribution device called the Scatter Cat Spreader.
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“We’ve eliminated the motor and moving parts,” Holland said.
“Motors burn out. The Scatter Cat really doesn’t have any moving components to wear out. All we have are 16 galvanized steel arms. Eight long and eight short. They spread the grain evenly and with uniform density throughout the bin. There’s no cone (of grain) in the middle.”
He said the octopus-like device hangs suspended from the bin inlet ring by four metal hooks.
The auger dumps directly into the center of the Scatter Cat at a rate of up to 9,000 bushels per hour.
The 16 spring-loaded arms are adjusted from outside the bin to move up and down, in and out, to match the flow of the auger and the diameter of the bin.
Settings for augers range from eight to 13 inches. The various spreader sizes accommodate bins from 27 to 60 feet in diameter.
The longest arms, at 18 feet, are those installed in a 60 foot bin.
“They look a lot heavier than they really are,” he said.
“You adjust the slides to equalize your grain flow to get even density at all points in the bin. The fines are distributed equally throughout the grain, and that’s what you want for optimal air movement.”
Scatter Cat can be installed on a new bin as it’s being assembled, or can be winched up into place through the lid on an existing bin.
The Scatter Cat for a typical 48 foot bin sells for $2,900.
For more information, contact Bruce Holland at 800-359-1785 or visit www.custommarketingco.com.
