How to Use a Grain Cart
The primary function of a grain cart is to haul newly harvested grain from the field to the storage bin. Livestock farmers use a grain wagon to provide feed and grain via the grain auger into livestock feeding troughs. Depending on the size of the grain wagon, farmers can haul several hundred bushels of grain or feed at a time, saving energy costs. The typical grain cart is open on the top but some models have tarps or even retractable covers that allow the farmer to store grain in the grain wagon temporarily in all types of weather.
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Instructions
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Perform a safety check every time you use the grain cart. Inflate the tires to the proper pressure. Check lug nuts to make sure they are tight. Make sure all warning signs and safety shields are in place.
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Attach the grain wagon to the towing tongue of the tractor with a hitch pin. Slide the grain cart's power take off (PTO) on to the tractor' connector. You may need to adjust the length of the tongue to make sure you don't over extend the PTO drive shaft. Connect the safety chains to the grain wagon and the tractor.
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Pull the wagon to the loading area under a grain auger or next to a combine. Load the grain wagon with grain.
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Move the grain cart to the location where you plan to dump its load of grain. Swing the wagon's grain auger into position and fasten it securely.
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Start the PTO to engage the lower and upper augers. Begin at a slow rate of speed because if you start the PTO too fast, you can do serious damage to the lower drive dog mechanism that feeds the grain into the upper auger. Once grain begins to come out of the upper auger spout, you may increase the PTO speed.
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Empty the grain wagon or stop the flow of the grain by turning off first the lower drive dog and then the upper auger. By turning off the augers in this order, you allow any grain remaining in the upper auger to work its way out.
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Unlatch the connectors holding the grain auger in place. Swing the auger back to its original position and secure it.
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Unhitch the grain wagon when you finish. Clean any remaining grain from the bed of the wagon. Perform routine maintenance according to manufacturer's recommendations, including greasing bearings and keeping the gearbox filled with oil.
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Tips & Warnings
If you must pull a grain cart on a highway, remember the weight of full load can increase the amount of space needed to break properly.
Obey all safety warnings as you work with a grain cart.
References
- Photo Credit red wagon image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
