Wallaces Farmer

Invention for use in grain bins receives award from American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers as an outstanding innovation.

December 26, 2017

2 Min Read
SWEEP WHEEL: The Grain Reclaimer greatly reduces the amount of grain left behind by a sweep when cleaning out a bin. It easily retrofits on existing Sukup Power Sweeps.

Sukup Manufacturing Co.’s new Sweep Wheel Grain Reclaimer has been honored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers as one of 50 outstanding innovations of 2017.

The patent-pending device reduces the amount of grain left behind a bin sweep wheel by more than 80%. The Grain Reclaimer will be featured in the January-February special issue of ASABE’s magazine Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World.

“We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award,” says Charles Sukup, president of Sukup Manufacturing Co. He says the recognition “helps underscore the emphasis our company puts on innovation.” Two products won awards last year — the Mixed-Flow Grain Dryer and the Zero-Entry Commercial Paddle Sweep — and a record four products won awards the previous year. Since 2011, the company has won 14 AE50 awards. The total since 1991 is 22 awards.

The annual competition is sponsored by Resource magazine, published by ASABE, an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food and biological systems.

To be eligible for a 2017 award, products must have been introduced and made commercially available in calendar-year 2017. Products or systems nominated must be intended principally for use in the production, processing, research, storage, packaging or transportation of agricultural and food products, and have the potential for broad impact.

How device works
The Sweep Wheel Grain Reclaimer consists of a slanted plate that fits over the drive wheel gearbox, directing grain inward toward the sweep auger, and a reclaim shield that fits behind the drive wheel. After capturing grain, the sweep wheel lifts it onto the slanted plate, where it flows by gravity into the path of the sweep auger. This patent-pending assembly reduces the amount of grain left behind by more than 80%, according to Sukup.

In addition to reducing the labor needed to remove grain after the sweep has been turned off, the traction of the sweep’s drive wheel is significantly improved. The product is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Global competition
Companies from around the world nominate products for an AE50 Award. An international panel of engineering experts selects up to 50 products that best reflect engineering advancements for the agricultural and food industries.

Sukup Manufacturing Co. is headquartered in Sheffield, Iowa, and employs more than 500 people, making it one of the largest employers in north-central Iowa. Its new wholly owned subsidiary Sukup Steel Structures in Ambridge, Pa., employs more than 90 people.

Sukup’s product line includes farm and commercial grain bins, three types of grain dryers, centrifugal and axial fans and heaters, stirring machines, and bin unloading equipment. Sukup also manufactures bucket elevators, drag and chain loop conveyors, support towers and catwalks.

Sukup has six distribution centers in the Midwest and a division in Denmark serving customers throughout Europe. Sukup has customers in 80 countries. Three generations of Sukup family are active in Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Source: Sukup Manufacturing Co.

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