[AT] Grain Augers & grain blowers

[Ralph Goff]

On 1/11/2012 10:01 PM, Herbert Metz wrote:
> Ralph, John,&  Others;  I don't get to many shows anymore; not even sure
> where I saw that blower on a truck, but will certainly take a few photos if
> I run across one. Your explanation of the 3 speed/4 speed sounds correct.
> Next question concerns todays grain vacs; would appreciate a brief
> description and pluses and minuses.
> Also, what does 33 ton plus truck weight do to your driveway and local
> roads?
> Herb
>
Herb, theres no problem with weight this time of year since the ground 
is frozen hard as concrete and will support any truck load we care to 
put on it. In fact the Dept. of highways has a winter weight schedule 
that comes into effect at freeze up effectively increasing the trucker's 
maximum legal load.
Spring time is a different story and we try not to move much grain if 
possible.
And its true that since most grain moves by truck instead of train now, 
our highways are showing more damage.
Grain vacs take a fair bit of horsepower and I wouldn't want much less 
than 100 hp to run one. Interestingly, the vac takes more horsepower 
running empty than it does full of grain. I don't know how the bushels 
per gallon compares between a tractor and a one cylinder engine on a 
grain auger but it sure doesn't take long to load a semi with the vac. 
Biggest benefit is no shoveling to break your back and no need to wear a 
dust mask.

Ralph in Sask.