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Windom, MN | In the last 10 years, we have gone from 10 300 bushel gravity wagons (basically 2 sets of 5) and a gas tandem to a grain cart and a semi. We used to have a batch dryer, so the wagons were nice for that. we could have a batch in the dryer and 2 batches ready to go. The wagons were slow, but our farm land is all pretty close so it wasn't a big deal. In 2006 we added a semi. The tandem we kept because it wasn't worth much, and we could now have 3 batches waiting to go in the dryer. Then in 2008, we upgraded the dryer to a continuous flow and made the old batch dryer bin into a wet holding bin. At this time, we started selling the wagons because we could move a lot of grain with the tandem and semi, and the wagons rarely got used because they were so slow.
In 2010, we purchased our first grain cart. We found that we could get a lot more done with the cart and semi and just left the tandem on the farmplace. In beans, dad would catch me in the combine on the go until the semi was full, then he would park the grain cart on the end and go to the elevator. I would fill the grain cart, and when he got back there was usually enough to almost fill the semi again. So we sold the tandem to a scrap yard (it was pretty used up) and now we are way more efficient.
In 2012 we started working with the neighbors during harvest. They have an S670, but only one semi. We bring our cart and semi, and we can really cover acres and keep the grain away. But again, their land is all really close to their bin site, just like ours. If we had a 10 mile trip, I'm sure we would have a much harder time keeping up.
So, in all this upgrading, I would say the biggest efficiency we have gained during harvest time is the cart. Dumping on the go really saves a lot of time, and you can keep the trucks moving. The problem with a cart is you do need to have another operator. One guy can run 2 trucks, but you can't have 1 guy running trucks and a grain cart. | |
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Semi Vs. Grain truck Vs. Cart opinions
