Is your store ready to protect grain quality this harvest? Once trailers start rolling in, fixing problems becomes much harder. Taking some time to look over your store and equipment now can keep everything running smoothly when the crop arrives.
Here are a few key areas worth checking:
Even the best conditioning equipment will struggle if the store itself is not in good shape. Check for areas where water could enter, including roofs, walls and guttering. Make sure the building is secure against birds and rodents and that there is adequate headspace above the grain for ventilation.
Before the new crop arrives, remove old grain, dust and debris from floors, ledges and equipment. A clean store helps reduce the risk of contamination from storage fungi, insects and mites. After cleaning, place insect floor traps around the store for peace of mind and to capture any pests that may remain.
Make sure you have enough pedestals to cool the expected yield. Check that all sections are accounted for and that the components are in good working condition as damaged sections can restrict airflow and reduce cooling performance.
Conditioning fans should be inspected and cleaned before the season begins. Pay attention to the impeller and the cooling fan on top of the motor to ensure they are clear of dust and debris. While checking the unit, confirm that the impeller rotation is correct so the fan is drawing air properly from the spigot.
Once grain is in the store, monitoring becomes essential. Temperature and moisture should be tracked regularly to ensure conditions remain stable. Before harvest begins, make sure any monitoring equipment is working and ready to go.
Automatic fan controllers remove the guesswork from grain conditioning and can reduce energy use by at least 40%. If you are still manually switching fans on and off, this is the time to think about upgrading. Our control systems can be installed even when the store is full. However, installation is easier when the store is empty, allowing for a more seamless and fully integrated setup.
If you discover you are short on equipment, or if anything needs replacing, it is far easier to deal with it now rather than when harvest is underway.
Additional pedestals, conditioning fans, crop monitoring equipment and all associated spare parts are in stock ready for dispatch.
Our team of storage specialists is always happy to help, give us a call and we can make sure your store is fully prepared for the season ahead.
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