We specialize in the Horizontal Manure Auger which convey dairy manure across a freestall barn, Inclined Manure Augers to load spreaders or tankers, and Manure Stacking Augers to stack manure solids from a solid separator.
Just like our Sand-Manure Separator our Manure Augers are also built to handle sand.
Background
In a typical manure scraping system, sand-laden dairy manure is scraped through a barn to a push-off ramp and reception pit. In some cases, it must be "turned" into the reception pit. This approach is labor-intensive.
A barn cleaner may be used to turn manure. However, barn cleaners are highly susceptible to wear—especially where sand bedding is used.
Gravity flow manure channels are also used to turn manure. However, debris can settle out in the channel, requiring the channel to be scraped clean regularly. These channels are often large enough to drive a skid-loader into to allow for cleaning. This creates an extremely dangerous working condition if the pit is below the barn floor.
The McLanahan Horizontal Manure Auger eliminates all of these problems.
In tractor scrape systems, the "turning" of the manure into the reception pit is handled by the auger. In mechanical scraping systems, the horizontal manure auger takes the place of barn cleaners. Since the auger does not contact the concrete gutter, wear on moving parts is minimal.
In gravity flow systems, the auger gutter takes the place of gravity flow channels. The gutter is much smaller than a gravity flow channel, and requires much less concrete work. The benefits of the auger in this case are a lower cost for the concrete gutter, less required physical space, and no labor required to clean the gutter of bedding and debris.
Safety Covers
Solid plate covers are available to protect man and animal from the rotating auger while permitting vehicle traffic to cross the auger gutter.
A variety of grating covers is available for use in scrape alleys. In applications where grating is undesirable or where alley scrapers are used, gate-hung safety covers are available.
Installation
McLanahan Horizontal Manure Augers are highly wear resistant, and can be installed in new barns, or retrofitted to existing ones. The auger is installed in a concrete gutter, supported by hanger bearings. Special mounting options are available to retrofit
augers into existing gutters. At the discharge end, a steel trough supports the motor and
gear reducer. As the auger rotates, the conveyed manure forms a natural trough the entire
width of the barn.
Automated controls are available to interface with alley scrapers. These
controls turn the auger on prior to alley scraper dumping and off just after
the auger trough is empty. Safety switches are available that disable the
auger when protective gates are open.
McLanahan Horizontal Manure Augers are available in continuous lengths up
to 144 feet. For longer lengths, augers can be "piggy-backed" to achieve any
desired flow path from barn to pit. Both single and three phase electric motors
are available.
In applications where the auger discharge point is below the maximum level of
manure, a special submersible gear reducer is available that will keep sand and
other harsh contaminants from damaging the reducer.
Manure Auger FAQ
Q: Why not use gravity flow, barn cleaners, or pumps to convey manure?
A: Gravity flow is an unreliable method for conveying sand-laden manure since sand settles and clogs pipes. Barn cleaners wear out rapidly due to abrasion between sand, steel paddles, and the concrete gutter. Agricultural-duty pumps are made from mild steel and wear rapidly. McLanahan Horizontal Augers are built to handle sand.
Q: Where do I install a Horizontal Manure Auger?
A: In freestall barns, Horizontal Augers are most often installed at the cross alley or at the end of the barn. Manure is scraped straight to the Auger, which conveys manure across the barn to a reception pit, manure storage, or spreader.
Q: What is the maximum Horizontal Auger Length?
A: Single Augers are available in lengths up to 144 feet. Multiple Augers can be placed end-to-end in order to achieve any length necessary over 144 feet.
Q: What are the power requirements?
A: Power requirements vary with Auger length - the longer the Auger, the more power required. Single and three phase motors are available. Phase inverters are used in single-phase applications where greater than 10 hp is required.
Q: What makes McLanahan Augers stand-up to sand bedding?
A: A McLanahan Auger is mounted in a concrete trough in the barn floor. The Auger is positioned in the trough so there is no contact between the flighting and the concrete trough. No contact means little or no wear. Hanger bearings may require periodic replacement.
