Grain Receival Hoppers

A high capacity receival system is needed for efficient transfer of grain from trucks, or tractors and trailers. Ideally, it should be possible to deposit a trailer load and pull away from the unloading area within minutes. An in-ground receival hopper is typically fitted with a screw conveyor, or auger, to raise grain for conditioning or storage.

The reception pit, otherwise referred to as the Intake pit/Hopper is the gateway for the grains into the silo plant. The reception pit consists of a hopper constructed in concrete or steel with an overlaying steel grating designed as driver-over or walk-over. The common arrangement is that the intake hopper, the receptacle for the grains is connected using transition pieces to a chain conveyor, screw conveyor, belt conveyor or directly into the bucket elevator.

The main function of the road/rail intake structure, comprising of the intake hoppers with grid panels above them, is to serve as discharge point of the product from where it is conveyed via the depot machinery to the storage facility.

The size and number of intake hoppers are determined by the size of the crops in the area, the size of the trucks as well as the length of the harvesting season. On top of the hoppers steel grid panels with openings of approximately 60mm square are installed.

The grid serves as a support for the truck wheels while it also prevents large objects such as whole stalks, stones and pieces of steel from entering and damaging the intake machinery.

A large overhang is provided for the roof above the hoppers to prevent the product from becoming wet in the hoppers during rainy weather. The grids usually contain inspection manholes which provide access into the hoppers to carry out repair work or to remove obstructions. Usually loading bulk from the depot to a consumer’s truck also takes place under this roof.

Rain Receival Hopper