Equipment Service Partners with Purdue University

At Equipment Service, we strive to stay current with industry standards to ensure our products are high quality and long lasting. We've partnered with the Technical Assistance Program at Purdue University to conduct further research on silo conditions, optimal materials, chain wear, and many other topics regarding our product line and industry.

The mission of the Purdue Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is to advance economic prosperity, health, and quality of life in Indiana and beyond. TAP provides high-value solutions to increase profitability for manufacturing and other industries. Many of their initiatives are managed by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which leverages resources in both the public and private sectors to identify areas of improvement, streamline processes, and ultimately increase competitiveness.

One of the main topics we learned about is the effects of corn silage on the unloader and chain. Hydrogen dioxide (H⁺) is present in silos due to the fermentation of the corn silage. Over time, this turns into highly corrosive nitric acid (NO₃^-). The best way to reduce corrosion rate is to remove as much of the acidic liquid in the bottom of the silo as soon as possible. Allowing the unloader and chain to rest in this "juice" will speed up the corrosion process and can eventually lead to chain failure, even with a low number of hours on it.

Another way to reduce chain wear is to refrain from installing new sprockets with old chain, and vice versa. In that same aspect, using the Equipment Service Ultimate Sprocket with fully machined teeth will also reduce chain wear. Our sprockets have a precise fit and are more chain-friendly than our other, rougher counterparts.

As always, we will continue to research, test, and make the highest quality parts in the industry. Keep an eye out for additional findings and product enhancements that will benefit all of our customers.