THERE is no doubt that for the majority of Wheatbelt farmers this year’s harvest will be a tough one.
Mindful of cost efficiencies, DE Engineers principal Kevin Prater is responding to farmer requests for Twin Tow gearboxes, which can be retro-fitted to link up old DE Engineers’ field bins.
The dual configuration doubles as a so-called mother bin, requiring only one tractor and a cheaper option for grain storage.
“Now more than ever blending is critical and Twin Tow bins can store different grades of wheat and be blended to maximise profit,” Mr Prater said.
“You can store different varieties of grain at the same time, offering more flexibility.
“Many customers have installed the gearboxes to smaller 35 tonne bins that have been left idle in the corner of the paddock because they do not have enough capacity,” Mr Prater said.
“An older 34t bin with a small auger can fill simultaneously into a larger 63t bin loading trucks and offers about 85t of output.”
According to Mr Prater, a Cuballing customer is using the Twin Tow for more flexibility, particularly when blending.
“He can have different grades of wheat in the two bins and blend them (shandy) to maximise profit,” he said.
“Seconds can be held in the front bin with good grain in the rear bin, with the seconds added when they can.
“Even two different grains can be stored at one time, which can’t be done with a mother bin.
“A Pingelly customer uses our seed cleaner to fill one of the Twin Tow bins with cleaned grain while the second Twin Tow bin is filled with good grain straight from the header,’’ he said.
“The tractor runs the rear bin’s auger constantly to fill the truck while the front bin is fitted with a remote clutch to top up the rear bin when needed.”
DE Engineers is the only manufacturer to offer Twin Tow field bins, which can be towed in tandem because of the steeper discharge auger.
“It allows two field bins to be operated and transported with one tractor – doubling stored capacity,” Mr Prater said.
“New-style 63t and 76t field bins are being hooked together to hold in excess of 125t for about $69,000.
“This is half the cost of a mother bin with sealed segregated storage.”
Mr Prater said the company’s field bins used a large vibration-free gearbox drive which ran smoother and faster (up to 450 rpm) than traditional double universal joints to shift more grain faster.
“The Twin tow gearbox is mounted on the front bin while also providing a live drive to the following bin,” he said.
“We have the largest (weather-tight) double-opening doors for ease of filling and taller, steeper augers that fill trucks easily while being less likely to be damaged by grain trucks.
“Our field bins are guaranteed not to crumple while loading by using the heaviest wall section in the industry.
“These bins are fitted with heavy duty, two-tonne axles on single axle field bins with new LandCruiser tyres and rims.
“Walking beam axles are on field bins over 50t capacity for a much smoother ride and all bins are fitted with PTO slip clutches to protect the driveline.
“Some customers have installed electro-clutches to remotely keep topping up the back bin from the comfort of the truck cab.”
DE Engineers’ 63t field bins are the company’s most sought after models and Mr Prater urged farmers looking at harvest requirements to contact the company as soon as possible to discuss their needs.
“Or see us during the field days round,” he said.