AUGERS
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Last updated 1/16/03
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The auger is used to transport
materials, primarily feed and grain. Most augers are enclosed in a tube, while some are
non-enclosed. Farm augers may be powered by electric motors, gasoline engines or the
tractor PTO. The augers used on farms may be eight inches or more in diameter and up to 60
feet in length. Portable augers are mounted on a frame with a means for raising the
discharge end of the auger to the top of grain bins. A winch and cables usually raise the
auger, but some have a hydraulic cylinder for this purpose. There should be a guard over
the intake of the auger to prevent contact with the flighting by a hand or foot, but these
are often missing. Dangers associated with augers include entanglement with the drive lines that power the auger, entanglement with the auger flighting and electrocution caused by contact with overhead power lines. Entanglement with the flighting may occur when the person reaches to grab something in the flowing grain or when the person attempts to clear a blockage at the intake with a hand or foot. Injuries to Expect Injuries may range from minor Cuts, to amputations and severe entanglements depending on the part of the auger and body involved. This bulletin will deal only with accidents involving the auger flighting. It is possible to manually reverse the direction of the auger to back the trapped limb from the auger tube. In some cases, the hand or foot may be amputated by the shearing action of the flighting as it enters the tube. In these cases, recovery of the amputated part should be attempted, although it may be so badly damaged that reattachment is not possible. Rescue Procedures Shut off power to the auger and stabilize the scene. Watch for Overhead Power Lines! Determine the seriousness of the injuries and plan the extrication. If the hand or foot was amputated by the auger, send two people into the bin with a harness and lifeline to attempt recovery of the part. If the part is not already in the bin, it will likely be in the auger. In this case, the auger can be rim slowly until the part is discharged from the auger. If the hand or foot is still attached and trapped in the auger, it may be possible to remove it by manually reversing the auger. This can be done by turning the PTO shaft or drive pulley by hand. It may take considerable effort to reverse large augers, and it may be necessary to use a pry bar inserted through the universal joint. A metal cutter can be used to remove the tube from around the flighting if it is determined that reversing the auger will cause too much additional injury. One danger here is that the hand, arm or foot may be wrapped around the flighting and in the path of the cutter If the auger must be raised or lowered, use the winch carefully. Never attempt to grab the handle if it is spinning - it will break your hand or arm! Do not move the auger by hand! Augers are intended to be moved by hitching them to a tractor or other suitable tow vehicle. |
