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Auger conveyors, also commonly referred to as screw conveyors, have a wide range of uses. But one of the more common applications for them is in the agricultural industry. More specifically, auger conveyors aid in the handling of grain and feed on farms.

The construction of a screw conveyor looks something like a DNA strand. A bladed helix rotates within a cylindrical tube, usually constructed of metal. As it does so it moves, or conveys, the agricultural material upward and then outward. You may frequently hear this screw blade being referred to as flighting. The Archimedes screw served as the earliest precursor of the modern day auger conveyor.

In the world of agriculture, grain augers help in transferring grain from truck beds or grain carts to grain storage bins. Once the grain reaches these receptacles, screw conveyors are no longer needed to complete the movement. That’s because the hoppers are typically constructed with a chute that when opened ejects the grain via gravity into its intended destination.

How does a grain auger conveyor get the power it needs to transfer the grain to its storage site? An electric motor serves as its power source. The power supply from a tractor can be used or an internal combustion engine can be mounted on the auger itself.

As the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service explains, in agriculture, “mobility is the most important feature, and nearly all on-farm grain systems include a transport auger.” To maximize this desired mobility, agricultural auger conveyors offer the versatility of being permanently set. However, they can also be moved from one storage hopper to another for optimal flexibility. The addition of a metal sleeve to the bin’s foundation further allows for insertion of the screw conveyor only when required. As a result, auger conveyors are a good investment for all types of farming applications.

So how do farm operators go about choosing an auger conveyor? One important point that they should keep in mind is that not all screw conveyors are created equal. Quality can vary widely so let the buyer beware. Selecting an auger conveyor on the basis of price alone could be a recipe for dissatisfaction. Reliability and lifespan may be compromised, and the amount of grain that the screw conveyor can hold may be limited as well. What’s more, lower-priced augers may have bearings only at their drive end, resulting in greater wear and tear during operation thanks to the flighting coming into more contact with the casing.

It’s always sound business practice to consult with a flighting expert that is poised to meet the many feed screw and auger conveyor needs of the agricultural market. For over three decades, Falcon Industries has been assisting agricultural customers with screw augers to help them with tasks ranging from conveying material to spreading product and dewatering waste.