When a farmer (grain producer) delivers grain to an elevator, the grain truck is driven up the elevator driveway and onto a scale(1). The elevator manager weighs the truck on a government inspected scale. The weight of the truck is recorded on a Canadian Grain Commission approved ticket.
The truck is unloaded by either an elevator hoist or a hoist on the farmers truck. The truck is raised so that the grain flows out of the back of the truck box, through a grate in the scale, and into a collection area called a pit (2). This area is known as the front pit. When the truck is empty, it is re-weighted. The difference between the full and empty truck is the weight of the grain delivered, and this figure is recorded in the producers delivery permit book.
An average sample of grain is taken by the elevator manager as the grain is pouring from the truck into the pit. The manager must determine a number of things before storing the grain:
What is the grade and dockage of the grain delivered?
Is the grain free of infestation and contamination?
What is the moisture content of the grain?
In just a few minutes an elevator manager will determine the grade of the grain and if it is suitable for storage.
STORAGE
From the pit, the grain is moved into storage. The elevator manager directs the grain either to an empty bin, or to one containing similar grain. A spout at the top of the elevator is positioned so the grain is elevated into the proper bin.
After selecting the bin and adjusting the spout, the elevator manger starts the head drive motor (9). This electric motor drives an endless belt which lifts the grain in cups attached to the belt in an enclosed leg (3). The grain is carried to the top of the elevator and as it goes over a large pulley, it is dumped into the distributor (4) which directs the grain through a spout (5) into a pre-selected bin.
ANNEX
When large volumes of grain are delivered it is necessary to store grain in the annex. Grain may be placed in the annex from any portion of the elevator or directly from a delivery truck. Let's move from the pit to the annex.
The elevator manager sets the necessary machinery in motion, such as the front leg and the top annex conveyor. The proper spouting is also placed in position. Grain is now elevated from the front pit, up the leg, through the distributor, onto the top conveyer and down a spout into an annex bin. All the bins in a grain elevator are numbered, and the elevator manager records the type and grade of grain in each bin on a bin chart.
SHIPPING
Nearly all the grain shipped from a country elevator leaves by rail. The shipping process begins when one or a number of hopper cars are spotted on a rail-line near the track-side of the elevator. The car is opened, inspected for soundness and cleanliness, and the loading spout is placed in the top of the car.
The elevator manager then sets the distributor (4) to channel grain to the loading spout (6), selects the bin (7) to draw the grain from and begins the loading operation. The grain is then taken from the bin and dropped into the hopper scale (8) where it is weighted and lowered into the back pit. The elevation leg (3) lifts the grain to the top of the elevator and drops it into the distributor which directs it to the loading spout and into the grain car.
When the car is loaded with the required amount of grain, the car is closed and the hatches are sealed with a numbered metal strip. The loaded car number and the amount of grain is recorded with the grain company and the railway, and the car is picked up by a passing train.
New technology and better equipment have had a beneficial effect on the performance of country elevators. Many elevators are being fitted with two elevation legs which gives the elevator manager the flexibility to unload trucks and load rail cars simultaneously. Both legs can be used for shipping and receiving grain. The use of computers to relay accounts and automatically operate the elevator is also in place at many country points.
Although there are fewer elevators now operating, those that are left are more efficient and able to handle larger amounts of grain.
Whether old or new, large or small, made from wood, concrete or steel, country elevators perform the same function. These large structures which dot the countryside in Western Canada gather large volumes of grain from many producers. Because this is where grain is collected, and is the first order of movement of grain from farm to market, these elevators are called 'primary elevators'.
