| A grain elevator receives, stores and ships grain in bulk.
When a farmer delivers grain to an elevator, the grain truck is weighed, then unloaded into the pit. When the truck is empty, it's weighed again, and the weight difference is recorded. While the grain is pouring into the pit, the elevator manager determines its grade, dockage, and moisture content, as well as checking it for infestation and contamination.
Once accepted, the grain is moved to storage, either in an empty bin, or in one containing similar grain. Nearly all grain shipped from an elevator leaves by rail. An arriving car is opened and inspected, and the loading spout is placed inside. The manager has the distributor channel grain into the loading spout, which begins drawing grain and dumping it into the hopper scaleback pit. The elevation leg then lifts the grain and drops it into the grain car. When the car is loaded, it is closed and sealed. |
