Equipment · December 2025 · 5 min read
Grain auger safety deserves serious attention, as auger-related injuries remain among the most common and severe on-farm accidents. Contact with unguarded intake openings, electrocution from power line contact, and PTO entanglement cause preventable tragedies every harvest season. Proper maintenance and strict safety protocols protect you, your family, and your employees.
The intake end of every auger must have a guard that prevents hands and feet from contacting the rotating flighting. OSHA and many state regulations require guards that allow grain to enter but block body parts. Never remove or modify intake guards, and replace any guard that is bent, broken, or missing.
Keep bystanders, especially children, at least 10 feet away from operating augers at all times.
Grain augers are tall enough to contact overhead power lines during transport and repositioning. Maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from all power lines at all times. Survey your farmyard and field approaches for power line locations before moving augers. Contact with power lines causes electrocution that is almost always fatal.
Grease all bearings according to the manufacturer's schedule, typically every 8-10 hours of operation. Failed bearings cause downtime during critical harvest periods. Inspect and replace worn PTO shields and driveline guards before each season. Never step over a rotating PTO shaft.
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Try the Fuel EstimatorSecure augers properly for road transport with safety chains and pins. Attach an SMV emblem and lights for road visibility. Check transport locks and hydraulic cylinders for leaks before moving. Many auger tip-over incidents occur during transport when loads shift or hitch connections fail.