Squeeze Belt Conveyor

Squeeze Belt Conveyor GRAIN HANDLING Grain Handling 31-1-15 Higher piles, faster operation, scattered-out fines, less grain damage, greater safety, fewer parts, smoother operation, and longer life are some of the many favorable comments we heard from Scott Cerveny, Aurora, Neb., about the Hutchinson 70-ft. squeeze belt conveyor that he uses at the Aurora Co-op in Aurora, Neb. It was first introduced in February 2004 (ph 800 523-6993 or 785 632-2162; www.hutchweb.com). Cerveny says the conveyor is a winner because it can move 8,000 to 12,000 bu. of grain per hour, and do it with ease. Grain shoots out of the conveyor similar to the way water flows out the end of a big pipe. That means the conveyor is carrying and scattering fines along with the grain. Dave Prinz, president of Prinz Grain at West Point, Neb., who also calls the Hutchinson conveyor a best buy, points out that he had no hot spots in a 250,000-bu. pile of corn that had been deposited there by a 72-ft. squeeze belt. "We didn't have that consolidation of fines in certain spots that we get with augers, and the unit spread out the grain better," says Prinz. Cerveny adds that the conveyor has few moving parts, it doesn't bang and clang when running empty, and there's very little wear compared to augers. Cerveny says there's also less damage with corn and a lot fewer splits with soybeans. That's because the crop is simply carried instead of being tumbled and rolled. In addition, a belt conveyor is much safer to be around, as there's less chance of grabbing clothing or catching a finger.

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