Robots for Grain Bin Safety - Part Two
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
One of the most viral ag technologies in recent years is the Grain Weevil. The small scurry robot that climbs through grain bins is intended to make sure that humans don’t have to go into these dangerous confined environments. But what types of tasks can the Grain Weevil accomplish? CEO Chad Johnson says it starts with leveling the grain bins for temperature and airflow, but that’s just the beginning.
Johnson… “ And then throughout the storage process, throw it up there every once in a while, run what we call maintenance routines, which is if you got a wet spot or a warm spot, you could just chew 'em up and aerate it. Make sure that throughout the whole year you've got the maximum air flow.”
Johnson says it also helps when you’re emptying out the grain bin.
Johnson… “ And then as you start to get down to the bottom, we can actually push quite a bit more grain out through the center sump before you turn on your sweep augers make that whole process a lot more efficient.”
The Grain Weevil has two small sets of augers on it, but there’s also a sweeping attachment coming.
Johnson… “ Here by the end of this summer, you'll also be able to get our sweeping attachment which is the ability for us to actually broom the bottom of the grain bins out after you're done with the grain as well.”
Johnson’s goal is to build a tool so that no farmer has to ever get into a grain bin while there’s grain in it.
