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Machinery evaluation
Finch grain haul-out bins prove easy to use
Kondinin Group evaluated the Finch grain haul-out bins based on a survey of 18 farmers asking them to rate the unit’s
performance and reliability.
O
wners of Finch grain haul-out bins rated
the Australian-built unit highly for its
strength, reliability, auger performance and
ease of use, according to a recent Kondinin
Group survey.
All 18 owners surveyed said the machine
had met or exceeded their expectations.
The owners surveyed had bins with
capacity ranging from 12 tonnes to 30t.
The units averaged five years of age and
carried 12,400t.
Despite some owners having experienced
problems keeping wheel nuts tight, 17
owners would buy the same machine again.
Only one owner was undecided.
Since developing a grain haul-out bin
during 1983, the manufacturer, based in
Kaimkillenbun, Queensland, has continued
to refine its design through owner feedback.
There are eight models ranging from
10–30t. Units with 10–16t capacity have a
standard single axle while 18–30t units are
fitted with a walking beam bogey axle.
The single axle models have two axle hubs
rated at 15t each, while the bogey axle models
use four of the same axle hubs for a combined
load rating of 60t.
The bins are supplied with 650/75R32 or
800/65R32 tyres, depending on bin capacity
(see the specifications table below). Tyres are
available either as new or second-hand.
A 381-millimetre-diameter auger with a
discharge capacity of 5.5–6t per minute is
standard and a 483mm-diameter auger for
increased discharge capacity (12t/minute) is
optional. An auger hopper spout is available
for owners wanting to fill silos with a ground
level auger hopper.
Grain flow to the cross auger is controlled
hydraulically by a cut-off plate. A needle
indicator at the front of the bin displays the
position of the cut-off plates.
Due to demand from Western Australian
grain growers, the manufacturer also offers a
twin discharge auger system.
The bin is divided by a front-to-rear
partition with two separate cross augers and
The Finch grain haul-out bin was recognised as a strong, reliable, easy to use bin with good auger
performance. But most owners criticised the lack of an operator’s manual.
But one NSW owner of a 15t single axle
unit bought during 2001, experienced
cracking where the pull attaches to the main
chassis. The unit had carried 2000t of grain.
Cracks were repaired by re-welding and
adding strengthening plates.
Despite the structural problems this owner
still rated the frame strength as good.
All owners also praised the adjustable
pull, which consists of five vertical bolt
holes, that allows operators to customise the
tongue height.
But a Queensland owner of a 25t bogey axle
unit elongated the tongue hole to stop the
pull pin from jamming when travelling over
uneven ground.
All owners rated ease of hitching to the
tractor as good to excellent.
Eighty-nine per cent of owners rated the
adjustable jack stand, located to the rear of the
pull, as good to excellent and two owners
rated it as average.
hydraulic cut-off plates, allowing the bin to be
used as a high capacity seed and fertiliser
grouper bin during planting.
All models have a full length cleanout slide
positioned directly below the cross auger.
The slide is accessed from the rear.
A rolling tarpaulin, which can be
operated from the ground with a crank
handle, is optional.
A perspex viewing window is located on the
front side of the bin.
Frame H H H H
All owners surveyed rated the frame
strength as good to excellent, despite one
owner having structural problems.
For example, seven owners said their bins
had carried at least 10,000t of grain without
any problems.
One New South Wales, owner who
operated a harvesting syndicate, reported
carrying 50,000t with a 20t unit bought
during 1993.
Specifications
Model
Tyre size
Tyre ply rating
Axle rating (total rating, tonnes)
10t
12t
15t
16t
18t
22t
25t
30t
650/75R32
800/65R32
800/65R32
800/65R32
650/75R32
650/75R32
800/65R32
800/65R32
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
12-ply
30
30
30
30
60
60
60
60
Height — side of bin (m)
2.74
2.79
2.79
2.79
2.74
2.79
2.79
3.15
Height — under auger (m)
3.96
3.96
3.96
3.96
3.96
3.96
3.96
3.96
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FA R M I N G A H E A D
No. 138
July 2003
Finch grain haul-out bins
Wheels H H H
Most owners said the wheel equipment
exceeded their expectations with 83% rating
tyres as good to excellent.
But two owners fitted with second-hand
tyres rated them as poor. One owner did not
buy tyres with his unit, so he could fit his own
tractor tyres.
A NSW owner of a 1998 25t model,
which carried 30,000t, claimed fitting new
800/65R32 tyres was a good investment and
rated them as excellent.
A WA owner, who had ordered his 18t unit
with second-hand 650/75R32 tyres, claimed
they were of poor condition and did not meet
his expectations.
Another NSW owner, who bought his 12t
unit during 1995, said the manufacturer had
supplied 800/65R32 tyres with cracks in the
side wall.
All owners rated rim strength as good
to excellent.
But 22% (four owners) reported problems
keeping wheel nuts tight. Of these, two
owners had single axle units with the
remainder buying bogey axle units.
Owners recommended checking the torque
of the nuts frequently, before and during
harvest if necessary.
Most owners praised axle strength and
durability with 89% rating the axle hub and
Owners said the bins were easy to clean but the
cleanout slide was difficult to start moving.
stub as good to excellent. Two owners with
bogey axle units rated axle strength as poor
to fair.
One NSW owner of a 25t bogey axle unit,
which had carried 2500t of grain, said one of
the axles had bent under load. The owner
claimed it was determined that the axle
manufacturer had not treated the steel
adequately, causing it to weaken. Both axles
were replaced under full warranty.
All owners agreed that flotation was an
excellent feature, especially for those owners
operating on soft, sandy and black soils.
Ninety-four per cent of owners rated wheel
bounce as good to excellent, with one owner
rating it as average.
Machinery evaluation
#
Grain bin H H H H
All owners rated bin strength and
capacity as good to excellent with no
problems reported.
A NSW owner of a 30t unit asked the
manufacturer to construct the bin walls
from 3mm material to improve bin strength
and durability.
Ninety-four per cent of owners rated the
hydraulic cut-off plates as good to excellent
but one NSW owner rated them as fair after a
hydraulic lug welded to the body had broken
off from the bottom of the bin.
Most owners (71%) praised the ease of
cleaning but five owners were concerned with
the full length clean out slide, claiming it was
difficult to crack loose.
A NSW owner of a 12t unit said the slide
was difficult to remove when the guides
had corroded.
Five owners did not have the front view
window included with their bins and claimed
this was a disadvantage.
Fifty-six per cent of owners with windows
rated them as good to excellent, while
the remaining three owners rated them
as average.
Owners generally were happy with the rear
access ladder, with 78% claiming it met or
exceeded expectations.
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deliberatly blank
FA R M I N G A H E A D
No. 138
July 2003
21
#
Machinery evaluation
Finch grain haul-out bins
But two owners said a front-mounted
ladder would help to roll the tarpaulin over
the grain.
A Victorian owner of an 18t unit suggested
a second ladder positioned inside the bin
would be useful.
Most owners praised the rolling tarpaulin,
with 78% rating it as good to excellent.
Four owners rated it as average.
A NSW owner of a 12t unit claimed the
tarpaulin support stays were not strong
enough. He said water had pooled after
a storm, causing the tarpaulin to sag under
the weight.
Another Victorian owner of an 18t unit said
it was difficult to roll out the tarpaulin in
windy conditions.
Auger
HHHH
Of those surveyed, 56% of owners said
the performance of the cross and discharge
augers was one of the unit’s best features.
Eighty-three per cent of owners rated the
auger fold as good to excellent but three
owners raised issues with it.
Two NSW owners reported minor
cracking close to the hinge point of the
auger fold in units that were five and eight
years old.
A Queensland owner of a 25t unit with a
483mm auger claimed the hydraulic cylinder
was too quick, allowing the auger to hit hard
when folding and unfolding.
Ninety-four per cent of owners rated the
discharge capacity as good to excellent.
One Queensland owner using a 381mm
auger rated it as average.
Most owners praised the gearbox strength,
with only two owners rating it as average.
A WA owner of an 18t unit that had carried
10,000t of grain since 1997 claimed the
attachment of the power take-off (PTO) shaft
to the gearbox spline was too weak.
The owner said the two PTO grub screws
would not stay tight and caused the spline
to wear.
Most owners rated the auger fold as good to
excellent but two New South Wales owners
reported minor cracking close to the hinge point of
the auger fold. Five owners who did not have the
front view window included with their bins claimed
this was a disadvantage.
The owner suggested a larger diameter
cylinder would slow the folding speed and
place less stress at the hinge.
But another suggestion is to restrict the
hydraulic flow by using a flow control tap
connected into one of the hydraulic lines.
A flow control tap allows the owner to set it
according to the tractor’s hydraulic flow,
preventing the operator from moving the
auger too fast.
Flow control taps cost about $45 at most
hydraulic suppliers.
This owner suggested a hydraulic drive
might be more suitable.
Owners were generally pleased with the
durability of the drive sprocket and chains
but one Queensland owner of a 25t unit
suggested a larger drive chain was needed.
Auger bearings and flight were rated as
good to excellent by all respondents.
A NSW owner of a 30t unit requested the
manufacturer hard-face the leading edge of
the flight and balance to improve durability.
This owner said these augers were exceeding
his expectation.
The optional hopper spout was fitted to the
bins of 11 owners surveyed.
From those respondents, 91% rated the
hopper spout as good to excellent and one
owner rated it as average.
Summary
onsidering the amount of grain carried,
owners surveyed generally praised the
Finch grain haul-out bin as strong, reliable
and easy to use, with efficient auger
performance. Owners also praised the
unit’s flotation on soft ground and ease of
cleaning.
But some owners said the
cleanout slide was difficult to start moving.
Most owners were disappointed with the
manufacturer for not supplying an
operator’s manual. Of the 18 owners
surveyed only 10 people rated dealer and
manufacturer support, all of whom stated it
was good to excellent. Ninety-four per cent
of owners surveyed rated value for money
as good to excellent with only one person
rating it as average.
C
Manufacturer’s comment
Most of the issues raised have been
addressed on later model bins.
A perspex window is fitted at the rear.
A gearbox with one shaft alleviates
the problem of the grub screws.
An operator’s manual is being
developed. No second-hand tyres are
being used by manufacturers.
22
Best features
Price
• Frame strength.
• Auger performance.
Model
No tyres
New tyres
• Reliability.
10t
$16,478
$20,218
• Ease of use.
12t
$20,020
$23,980
15t
$22,770
$26,730
16t
$24,310
$28,270
18t
$29,535
$37,015
• Cleanout slide.
22t
$32,505
$39,985
• No operator’s manual.
25t
$37,752
$45,672
• Loose wheel nuts.
30t
$43,472
$51,392
• Second-hand tyres.
Prices include goods and services tax.
• Flotation.
• Ease of cleaning.
• Overall finish.
Worst features
Contact
Finch Engineering
Moffatt Street
Kaimkillenbun Queensland 4405
Phone: (07) 4663 4221
Fax:
(07) 4663 4290.
Buy again
Yes
No
Uncertain
94%
0%
6%
Kondinin Group rating
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Frame
###
Wheels
Grain bin
####
Auger
####
Number of machines surveyed
Evaluator:
FA R M I N G A H E A D
18
Richard Sulman.
No. 138
July 2003