Compact Seed Cleaner Fits Small-Scale Farm

Compact Seed Cleaner Fits Small-Scale Farm Josh Suppan, Harrowsmith, Ontario: “We purchased the Eliminator 224 Seed Cleaner from Commodity Traders International (www.commoditytraders.biz; ph 217-235-4322). It was just the right size for our operation and does a great job. “We operate a small-scale fruit, vegetable and grain farm. We raise Red Fife wheat, rye and oats for reseeding, as well as for milling and sale to the local market. We’d been taking the grain to another farm for cleaning, but he was often busy, so it was hard to schedule it when it worked for us. “I knew we needed our own cleaner and, at first, considered the Clipper N2B. It’s a popular farm-scale cleaner. The Eliminator 224 is very similar, and new ones cost about the same as a used N2B. It’s compact, less than 8 ft. long, 48 in. wide and 54 in. high. “We’ve cleaned about five tons of grain since buying it last fall. The cleaning rate depends on the crop’s condition, but I averaged about a ton per hour. At 15 to 25 tons produced per year, depending on acres planted, it should last forever. “It’s a simple machine, and if I do have a problem, I expect to be able to fix it myself. The company has been great to work with. They sell direct, but I worked with a dealer on Prince Edward Island to handle the import and shipping. “Commodity Traders International handles equipment of all sizes for different needs. They buy used systems from across North America and refurbish them, as well as sell new equipment. They carry every possible screen size, including half sizes, with over 175 different sizes in all. It’s almost overwhelming. They aren’t cheap, but like the machine, should last forever. “Mine came with input and output augers. My only regret is that I didn’t get a longer output auger, as mine is sized for bagging the cleaned grain. I store my grain in totes, so I needed an auger that was a little longer. If I’d realized that at the time, I’m sure they could’ve provided a longer one. “I haven’t had the output tested, but visual inspection suggests it’s really clean. I suspect it’s about 99% perfect. “If you don’t have an elevator you can drive to that’ll clean your grain for reseeding or sale, consider the Eliminator 224.”

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.