Farmer-Built Grain Auger

Farmer-Built Grain Auger GRAIN HANDLING Augers (4) 8-1-7 Nebraska farmer, Bernard Holscher, of Bertrand, was in the market for a new grain auger but, since he didn't like the $3,000 price tags on new augers, he built his own 8-in., 57-ft. grain auger. Holscher patterned his auger after a commercial auger that he liked. However, unlike commercial units, his pto powered auger features wheels spaced 10 ft. apart ù instead of the more common 8-ft. spacing ù for added stability, and 12-ga. tubing on the bottom section of the tube where the heaviest wear occurs. In addition, the carriage arms are longer, taking weight off the tube. He also mounted all gears, chains and bearings on the lower end of the auger so repairs can be made "with your feet on the ground." Holscher bought the tubing,screws, chains, sprockets and bearings but fashioned the roller assembly, cap and other smaller pieces out of scrap metal and spare parts. He estimates the total cost at $1,200 plus 300 hours labor.

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