How to choose an overload hopper?

For agricultural enterprises whose work is directly tied to growing and harvesting grain and oil crops, the question of ensuring high harvesting speed and minimizing combine downtime while waiting to unload remains a pressing one. The shift to environmentally friendly harvesting, no-till technology, and climate change all limit grain trucks driving into the field, right up to the combine. Because of this, farmers are increasingly considering buying an overload hopper.

The modern overload-hopper market is very large. The model range offers a choice based on the following key characteristics:

In this article we’ll explain how to correctly choose an overload hopper to best match your agricultural enterprise’s tasks.

Given the variety of choice and the large number of overload-hopper models available, the first thing worth assessing is the capacity of the combine fleet that will handle the harvest. The calculation is based on the parameters of the combine’s internal hopper volume and its fill rate.

It’s important that the overload hopper’s body volume be twice the combined volume of the combines’ internal hoppers.

For example, say you have three combines. Each of them has its own built-in hopper with a volume of 8 m³. The total combined volume of all the internal hoppers is 24 m³. To ensure continuous operation for every combine, you’ll need at least three overload hoppers with a minimum body volume of 16 m³ each. Two overload hoppers with a combined volume of more than 48 m³, or even a single one, would also handle the task. Under these conditions, harvest speed will be more than 25% higher.

A very important calculation metric is the tractor engine’s power rating, and, in fact, the number of tractors in the tractor fleet. It’s important to keep in mind that the larger the overload hopper’s body volume, the more powerful a tractor is needed to maintain optimal operation and travel speed.

So, working with a BNP-30 or BNP-40 requires a tractor with at least 280 hp. And for working with a BNP-16 or BNP-20, a tractor with 180–220 hp will be enough.

The next important aspect of selecting an overload hopper is choosing the chassis or undercarriage. First and foremost, this metric’s task is to ensure steady, continuous movement over uneven terrain with minimal ground pressure.

For example, if the fields are on hillsides, it’s worth favoring the more maneuverable single-axle BNP-20-type hoppers. If the fields are on flat terrain, the best option would be a tandem or tridem.

When choosing tires, you should also factor in soil properties and condition. If, after even a little rain, the soil turns into impassable mud, look at tires sized from 650/55 R26.5 for tandems and tridems. If the soil allows for more stable movement, you can settle on smaller tires.

Another important metric is transfer and unloading speed. This is affected by several factors at once, namely engine power and the tractor’s PTO rpm, as well as the augers’ diameter.

Most often, buyers assume that the larger the auger diameter, the higher the transfer or unloading speed. But that’s a myth. The larger the auger’s diameter, the greater the auger’s mass, and the more the load on the components grows during operation. To ensure high unloading speed, engineering and design calculations are carried out during overload-hopper production. The result of all the necessary calculations is determining the optimal auger diameter.

When choosing an overload hopper, its trim or additional options should be taken into account.

The tarp protects the body’s capacity from moisture buildup during storage, as well as while moving the hopper between fields. It protects the hopper’s capacity from foreign objects getting in: branches, leaves or other debris.

The weighing system lets you directly monitor the weight of the harvest obtained with each combine unload, as well as the weight being transferred into the grain truck.

Thanks to the lighting system, the overload hopper can be operated comfortably and safely after dark.

A planter-loading sleeve increases the equipment’s utility. With this additional option, you can use the overload hopper both during harvest and for sowing operations.

For all questions, contact:

Denys Mushtyn

Tel.: (095) 274 94 92

Е-mail: d.mushtyn@astra-group.com.ua