Case Study
Nebraska Coop Finds Multiple Uses for CR Mfg. Compact Bullet Camera

The use of video cameras on top of truck probes has become commonplace in the grain handling industry. These cameras allow probe operators to see inside of grain truck trailers to make it easier to avoid damaging the truck or probe, obtain a representative sample, and spot any problems with the load.

Midwest Farmers Cooperative installed three color video cameras sold by CR Mfg., Grand Island, NE (888-461-7040) at its new terminal in Syracuse, NE (402-268-3536). (See the July/August 2017 issue of Grain Journal.) One of them is in the common spot atop the truck probe but the two others are in additional locations:

• On the side of an overhead catwalk in the facility’s rail receiving shed pointing directly down, providing a view into covered hopper cars. This allows a remote operator to see what is contained in the railcar, or if it is supposed to be empty, if there is any residue remaining from a previous load. This could include other types of grain, fertilizer, or just about anything else a covered hopper car might carry.

Grain Inspection

“This was a suggestion of our grain inspection service provider,” says Location Manager Eric Werth. “Now we don’t have to send anyone underneath railcars to look for leaks, and we don’t have to have our employees or grain inspectors going on top of railcars while they have the potential of moving.”

Truck probe operator at the Syracuse facility, uses an LCD monitor to view the contents of an incoming grain truck. The video camera is mounted atop the probe.

Werth notes that mounting a CR-provided camera kit on top of the CR-manufactured truck probe made sense. Several features of the cameras made them ideal for use in the rail shed, as well.

The compact “bullet” cameras are small – 1-1/2 inches in diameter by 2-1/2 inches long – and are waterproof, durable, and provide a high-resolution picture on a 15-inch LCD monitor also provided by CR. Swivel mounts allow cameras to be placed anywhere, and automatic zoom fights obstructed views from dust or backlighting.

Reprinted from GRAIN JOURNAL November/December 2017 Issue