Steel That Feeds the World

Grain elevators, silos, bins, augers, legs, dryers and drag conveyors move enormous tonnage through
abrasive, dusty environments. Steel wears, cracks and corrodes—and when harvest is coming, there
is no time to truck equipment to a shop. The engine driven welder brings repair and
hardfacing to the elevator, the bin site and the field, keeping grain moving.

Common Grain Handling Repairs

• Augers and screws: Rebuild worn flighting with hardfacing; repair trough and
  tube wear.
• Bucket elevator legs: Repair leg casing, head and boot structures, and buckets
  and chain attachments.
• Grain bins and silos: Patch corroded sheets, repair stiffeners, roof
  structures and sidewall openings.
• Drag conveyors: Replace and hardface flights, patch troughs and repair
  casings.
• Grain dryers: Repair structural frames, supports and transitions.
• Catwalks, stairs and railings: Maintain access steel throughout the site.

Why Engine Power Fits Grain Sites

• Remote bin sites: Country elevators and farm bins have no convenient power; a
  diesel engine driven welder works independently.
• Heavy output: 200–350 A for bin structures and hardfacing.
• Auxiliary power: Runs grinders, drills, lights and impact tools for a complete
  repair kit.
• Mobility: Truck mount follows the service truck from bin to bin.

Abrasive Wear and Hardfacing

• Hardface flights and wear points: Use chromium-carbide or complex-carbide
  overlay to extend auger and drag flight life dramatically.
• Build-up first: Restore dimensions with a build-up electrode, then apply the
  wear-resistant surface layer.
• Gradual transition: For best results, apply a buffer layer between mild steel
  and hard surfacing to reduce cracking.
• Sharp edges: Rebuild cutting edges and wear plates to restore conveying
  efficiency.

Dust and Explosion Safety

Grain dust is combustible, and confined spaces in grain handling are among the most dangerous in
industry. Rules are non-negotiable:

• Hot work permit: Never weld inside or near bins, legs or dryers without a
  written permit and dust control.
• Clean before hot work: Remove all grain, dust and combustible residue from the
  work area; dust layers can smolder and ignite.
• Confined space entry: Bin and leg interiors require entry permits, atmospheric
  testing, ventilation and a rescue plan. Grain entrapment and engulfment kill workers every
  year.
• Lockout/tagout: Isolate augers, legs and conveyors completely before
  welding.
• Fire watch: Keep an extinguisher and water on hand; sparks travel in dusty
  air.

Codes and Quality

• Structural repairs follow AWS D1.1 for steel; match procedures to the base metal.
• For pressure-rated dryer or process components, follow the applicable pressure code and
  qualified procedures.
• Document repairs for insurance and equipment records.

Conclusion

Grain handling equipment takes brutal abrasive wear in remote, dust-hazardous locations. An
engine driven welder with hardfacing capability and auxiliary power keeps elevators
and bins running through harvest. Control dust and confined spaces, hardface wear points, and stay
on schedule. Explore our agricultural and grain handling welding equipment for
service-truck-ready machines.