NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

August 26, 1999

Auger Use Requires Caution

Grain augers are one of the three most dangerous machines on the region's farms, accident statistics show. That means they should be treated with extra caution, a North Dakota State University agricultural safety specialist says.

"Only tractors and combines are involved in as many serious farm accidents as augers," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "Accidents involving augers occur all year, but their use and the number of accidents increases during this time of year."

Maher offers some safety tips to help you elevate your grain safely while keeping your risk of injury down.

• Keep safety shields on the intake end of the auger.
• Shield all power-take-off shafts on grain augers.
• Shield all belt drive systems on grain augers.
• Be sure electrically powered grain augers are safely grounded.
• Have safe starting systems on small engine-powered grain augers.
• Look up when moving grain augers near overhead power lines.
• Set up grain augers only on flat ground. They can easily tip on hills.
• Empty grain augers before attempting to move them. Full augers will tip!
• Stop the flow of grain before stopping the auger.
• Transport grain augers in the lowered position.
• Tie a red flag to the end of a lowered grain auger being moved on the road.
• Move grain augers on the road only during daylight; they are difficult to see after dark.
• Plan turns ahead of time. Augers turn sharper than the towing vehicle.

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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629