Maintenance of the Chutes

Chutes and spouts systems must be checked, repaired before the onset of the grain reception but their maintenance remain a continuous and on-going activity during plant operation. Inspect, check for wear, grain leaks, dust leaks especially on the underside of the pipe works, at bends, elbows and joints. If the wear is not serious and requires repair welding as a temporary solution, remove the pipes to the workshop for mending. Touch up with paint the welded surfaces. Grain pipes and other ductwork components that are badly worn out should be replaced.

Programme to rotate the pipe section through ¼ turn once annually to even out the wear. For pipes of rectangular cross-section, consider lining the bottom top surface of the lower part with a non-wear nylon plate to reduce wear especially in plants handling highly abrasive products such as maize. Check/inspect all valves, diverter junction boxes, grain brakes for wear and dust and grain leaks and mend or replace as the case may be. If the valves, diverters are motorised, inspect, check that the micro-switches are functioning correctly.