Sweep Augers

The sweep auger is a device for the removal of the last grain from a flat bottom silo bin after discharge by gravity has stopped. The sweep auger consists of an auger flight pivoted at the drive end about which it rotates and with a support travelling wheel at the other end. Along the entire top length of the flight is a metal hood. Sweep augers can either be portable – especially for small diameter bin or permanent installation for large diameter steel silo bins. The sweep auger is mounted with its drive end at centre of the bin into the unload conveyor through a special sump arrangement or well, while the support/travel wheel rests next to the silo wall.

In operation, as the auger flight rotates, it drags grain towards the centre into the sump in which it is pivoted. The grain falls into the moving unload conveyor and is transferred. The rotational effect of the flight causes the auger to move across the bin sweeping all the grain in its path towards the center in the sump.

Floor sweeping auger