When grain cleaning throughput becomes a challenge, many processors instinctively focus on the cleaner itself. After all, if you need to process more grain, surely you need a bigger machine?
Not necessarily.
Across the grain handling and processing industry, many cleaners are capable of delivering more than their current output. The challenge isn’t always the cleaning technology. Often, it’s how grain is fed into the machine.
When product flow into a cleaner is restricted or inconsistent, even a proven cleaning solution can struggle to reach its full capacity. As a result, processors can find themselves considering costly equipment replacements when the real opportunity lies elsewhere.
Understanding that distinction can make a significant difference to both project costs and return on investment.
Why feed systems for grain cleaners matter more than you think
When evaluating grain cleaning performance, most attention is naturally placed on the cleaner itself. Screen selection, cleaning efficiency, and machine capacity are all important considerations.
However, a grain cleaner can only process the volume of grain presented to it. If grain cannot be fed into the machine quickly enough, consistently enough, or evenly enough, throughput will suffer regardless of the cleaner’s capabilities.
That’s why the feed system plays such a critical role in overall cleaning performance. Rather than focusing solely on the cleaner, grain processors should consider the complete cleaning process and identify whether feed capacity is preventing the machine from operating at its full potential.
The difference the right feed system can make
And that’s exactly the challenge we set out to address with our Delta 146 Cleaner solution.
By introducing a new high-capacity shaker feeder as a standard component, the Delta 146 can now achieve cleaning capacities of up to 100 tons per hour, compared with the previous 50 tons per hour.
What’s particularly interesting is that this increased throughput wasn’t achieved by completely redesigning the cleaner itself. It came from improving the previous shaker feeder and how it delivers grain into the system, allowing the cleaner to operate at a significantly higher capacity while maintaining the cleaning performance customers expect from the Delta range.
It’s a clear example of how throughput gains can often be achieved by optimizing and installing a single component, rather than replacing the cleaner altogether.
Already operating a Delta 146 Cleaner? You can upgrade too
The benefits of the new high-capacity shaker feeder aren’t limited to new installations.
Existing Delta 146 owners can retrofit the feeder to their current machine, providing a practical route to increased throughput without replacing equipment that may still have many productive years ahead of it.
For grain handlers and processors facing growing volumes, this offers an opportunity to increase cleaning capacity and minimize capital expenditure, installation time, and operational disruption.
Could your seed graining feed system be limiting throughput?
If your facility is experiencing any of the following challenges, it may be worth reviewing whether feed capacity is restricting cleaning performance:
- Grain intake volumes are increasing
- The cleaner becomes a bottleneck during peak periods
- Additional operating hours are required to process the same volume
- Future growth plans require higher cleaning capacity
- Throughput targets are increasing while existing equipment remains in good condition
In many cases, the solution is to ensure your cleaner can operate at its full potential, no matter your operational circumstances.
Looking to increase grain cleaning throughput?
For more than 75 years, we’ve helped grain handlers and processors improve efficiency, increase capacity, and get more from their operations.
Whether you’re considering a new Delta 146 or retrofitting your existing one with the new high-capacity shaker feeder, our team can help you identify the best route to higher grain cleaning throughput.
Whether you’re considering a new Delta 146 Cleaner or looking to upgrade an existing machine, our team can help you identify the most effective route to higher grain cleaning throughput.
Take the next step today
Connect with one of our optical sorting experts to find out how you can increase throughput in your grain processing facility.
