Producers encouraged to use auger intake guard

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Grain augers rank third in machinery-related injuries on the farm. That’s why producers are strongly encouraged to use an auger intake guard when moving grain.

Jim Wassermann, the Vice President of Saskatchewan Operations for the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), says the device can be effective in preventing some serious injuries.

“The intake of an auger is a very dangerous component. Flighting has the capability to cut or amputate parts of your hands or feet if you accidentally engage it. The types of injuries that may result are major and cause long-term problems,” he said.

An auger guard acts to protect against such accidents, but Wassermann says there are some situations in which producers may want to temporarily remove these protective devices. Inserting the auger into a bin with a small bin hole or moving a trashy crop that is prone to bridging over the top of the guard are two such instances.

Unfortunately, this is where problems often start.

“I do find that producers are eager to use their auger guards,” Wassermann said. “But once they remove the guard, the timing might be inconvenient for them to put it back on immediately, or they will simply get busy and forget to reinstall it.”

The risks of using an auger without a guard are well known throughout the industry. Yet the statistics have not seemed to encourage much change in the way auger guards are manufactured. Wassermann feels this is partly due to the makers of these products facing competing demands.

“In legal disputes regarding this situation, rulings encourage manufacturers to attach the guard in a way that is very difficult for producers to remove. Therefore, the producer’s only option is to cut it off with a cutting torch or remove the number of bolts that hold it on,” Wassermann stated.

“The downside is that there are still situations when producers might want to temporarily remove the guard. So unfortunately, once removed, it becomes a major job to put it back in place.”

It is possible for producers to safely manufacture their own auger guards. In fact, Wassermann says this currently might be the only alternative for some older augers. To help producers with the task, PAMI has developed a set of instructions that can be downloaded from its website at www.pami.ca.

A Canadian Standards Association (CSA) committee is also looking at national standards for portable grain augers. One of their goals is to review the effectiveness of the auger intake guard. The resulting new standard could stimulate design changes on new augers.

PAMI has developed an auger guard that addresses many of the traditional problems associated with the devices. The “star mesh” design they have come up with is less prone to bridging in trashy crops, and is capable of supporting a 270-pound person.

As well, in order to eliminate the “nuisance” excuse for not putting the guard back into place once it is removed, PAMI has included a quick-move collar that allows the entire guard assembly to slide six feet up the tube without requiring tools. Removal and replacement are 10-second jobs.

Wassermann says the model is not a completely foolproof solution, but it has several advantages over conventional designs.

Unfortunately, the guard is so new that nobody is manufacturing it at this point. As a result, producers aren’t able to purchase it yet. “We are currently working with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to look at ways to make it available to producers across Canada,” he said.

But given the potential dangers and injury statistics associated with this essential piece of farm equipment, Wassermann is able to offer one important bit of advice to producers. “Find the best working solution to ensure your auger intake is guarded.”

For more information, contact:

Jim Wassermann, Vice President of Saskatchewan Operations

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute

Phone: 1-800-567-7264, ext. 223