Harvest season is here, and preparing for it entails caring for your crops and ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and others involved in the harvest. Here are some things to consider to be ready for the fall harvest.

Equipment upkeep and safety

Tractors are arguably the most important equipment required during the harvest season. As a result, these machines must be kept up to date in terms of maintenance to ensure they are all in good working order. Keep these machines lubricated and free of corrosion, particularly in critical components like pulleys, belts, chains, and filters. Removing any dust, debris, or residue would help reduce the possibility of contamination or unintentional fires. When possible, have them equipped with Rollover-Protective Structures (ROPS), and while you’re at it, make sure the guards are properly positioned.

Moving your tractor around the farm during the fall harvest can be dangerous, especially in the early morning or late at night. This is why outfitting your tractors and implements with the appropriate lighting is critical. Finally, before leaving your tractor or any machinery, always turn it off and check or unclog any equipment to prevent accidents.

Rest and break times

The fall harvest season can be very hectic, and it is easy to forget about resting or caring for yourself or your family during this time. Take short breaks throughout the day to stretch and stay hydrated to avoid sacrificing rest and nutrition. Pack healthy snacks or meals to ensure you have enough energy to complete the task at hand safely and effectively.

Extra personnel

When enlisting the assistance of neighbors, family members, or friends during a time of crisis, make sure they are properly trained in farm safety for the tasks they will be performing. You’d need to assess their abilities and make sure they’re not taking on tasks that are beyond their physical or mental capabilities.

These are some things you need to consider during this season. If you have more questions, visit us today.

Grains are one of the foundations of many industries. They are vital sources of nutrients in many countries and a staple on every table. Grains also serve as ingredients in livestock feed, fuel, cosmetics, and alcohol production. Yet grain quality is complicated, shaped by many factors from planting to consumption. These influences can be classified as intrinsic or extrinsic, with each playing an essential role in determining the final value of the grains.

Intrinsic factors

Color, aroma, and size are sensory cues that provide information about the condition of the grains. A deep color indicates ripeness, whereas unusual odors may indicate contamination. A seemingly insignificant aspect, size, and shape uniformity, significantly impact processing efficiency and end-product characteristics. The nutritional composition of grains, which includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins, is essential to their dietary value. Bulk density — which is frequently overlooked — influences storage, transportation, and the susceptibility of grains to breakage during handling.

Extrinsic factors

Moisture content must be balanced to achieve good grain quality. Excess moisture promotes mold and spoilage, whereas insufficient moisture results in hardness and lower protein levels. Enzymatic activity, oxidation, and moisture absorption contribute to grain quality degradation as grains age. Mishandling can cause broken or immature grains, disrupting processing and overall quality. Infestations of pests, pathogens, and mycotoxins endanger both consumers and the utility of grains. Foreign matter impacts quality, processing, and potential contamination. Protein content affects storage, blending, grading, and final product quality, especially for gluten-rich grains. The falling number test detects potential sprout damage, which impacts dough properties and shelf life. Furthermore, contaminants such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticide residues, and mycotoxins are closely monitored.

Qualitative and quantitative assessment

Grain quality is assessed using two main methods. Chemical analysis is used in the quantitative approach to measure parameters such as moisture, amino acids, fatty acids, proteins, and compounds. Sensory evaluation delves into physical attributes and changes in raw materials on the qualitative front. Quality can be discerned through the senses of smell, color, taste, sound, particle size, and touch. Damaged kernels, foreign materials, and clumps are all evaluated.

These are just some things that must be considered when handling grains. To know more about how to produce the best quality grain, visit us at KC Supply Co.

Manure pits are essential to modern livestock operations because they help manage waste and recycle nutrients. However, these structures carry inherent risks that necessitate strict adherence to safety protocols. Managing these pits safely is critical for the safety of those involved and for the sustainability and productivity of agricultural operations.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you have a manure pit:

1. Understanding the risks

Manure emits various toxic gases, including methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. These gases can potentially be harmful, if not fatal, to humans. All employees and individuals working on or near these systems must be fully aware of the hazards posed by these gases. This is why it is essential to have appropriate hazard signage throughout the area to remind all employees of the dangers of exposure to these gases.

1. Proper training and education

It is critical to ensure that all employees receive proper training and education about confined manure handling systems. Employees must be aware of the characteristics of the gases produced, the potential symptoms of exposure, and the appropriate safety precautions to take. In the event of an emergency, a well-defined plan must be in place. During a 911 call, the people who work in the area must be able to describe the situation and provide precise location directions adequately.

1. Safety gear and equipment

It is critical to provide appropriate safety gear and equipment to reduce risks. Safety harnesses with lifelines, positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), flotation devices, and other essential equipment should be readily available and properly used.

Manure pits are here to stay, and people who work in or around these areas must be well-informed of the risks involved. With proper information, you can minimize accidents in the workplace. For more details about manure pit safety and other safety equipment, visit us at KC Supply Co.

Deciding which conveyor belt fasteners to use can be confusing, but an essential step in splicing a belt. They join the ends of conveyor belts together, thus creating a continuous loop that would allow the belt to move smoothly along the conveyor structure. Choosing the wrong one can lead to premature wear and cause a malfunction in the belt splice.

Here are the factors to be considered when selecting the appropriate conveyor fastener.

Fastener Type

There are different belt fastener types available in the market, such as mechanical fasteners, plate fasteners, hinged fasteners, and others. Each type has its advantages and is suitable for specific belt materials and applications. For instance, mechanical fasteners are versatile and offer a strong grip, while hinged fasteners allow for easy installation and maintenance. Another deciding factor on which belt fasteners to use would be tied to the pulley diameter. Hinged fasteners are commonly used for smaller pulley diameters as they can bend around a tighter turn in the system. On the other hand, solid plate styles are used for their longer life and to prevent sifting, provided that either style is appropriate for your belt and pulleys.

Strength and Load Capacity

Determine the conveyor system’s load capacity and tension requirements. The fasteners that should be used would be able to withstand the application’s tension and stress without compromising the belt’s integrity. The materials these fasteners would be made out of depend greatly on whether it is used for light or heavy duty. Some examples of light-duty belt fasteners would be common bar lacing, stapled plate fasteners, and plastic hinged plate fasteners, while bolted and riveted plate fasteners and stapled, riveted and bolted hinged fasteners are used for heavy duty.

Before finalizing your decision, it’s a good idea to consult with conveyor system experts or suppliers who can help you assess your specific needs and recommend the most suitable fastener options. Visit us today at KC Supply Co. for any further questions.

The summer heat comes with an extra need for employee protection as you face the additional challenge of protecting your employees from the elements’ harmful effects, especially in work environments where high temperatures or excessive heat exposure is expected. 

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can have severe consequences that could lead to organ damage and even death. This is why correctly understanding heat-related illnesses and implementing effective preventive measures is crucial in ensuring your employees are safe and healthy during the summer. 

There are a lot of strategies that can be implemented specifically for the summer months that can decrease the risk of heat-related illnesses. Here are some of them:

• Education is key — One of the best ways of keeping your employees healthy during summer is by educating them on the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to heat. Employee protection begins with teaching them how to identify signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as headache, dizziness, and confusion. Implementing a buddy system would be helpful in quickly identifying signs of heat illness, and proper management may be done promptly.
• Splurge on the cool stuff — A great way to protect your employees from the heat is to provide a lot of cold water close to the work area. OSHA suggests that employees must drink at least a pint of water every hour and that a shaded or air-conditioned designated rest area must be accessible to employees at all times. 
• Focus on the essentials — Employee protection could be observed even when PPEs are required in the workplace. Consider alternatives that can provide protection without excessive heat retention, such as lightweight and breathable fabrics. Alternatively, a modified shifting schedule can be implemented to decrease the exposure to heat and give ample time for breaks.

Protecting employees is a crucial part of the duties of an employer. It could be challenging during summer, but with the correct information and mindset, it could be as easy as A-B-C. If you have more questions about preventing heat-related illnesses in the workplace, visit us at KC Supply Co today.

The importance of lockout or tagout procedures

Anyone who works with heavy machinery would agree that lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are essential in keeping the workplace safe and accident-free. It is a crucial step when doing maintenance repairs on machinery or equipment to ensure the safety of your workers. LOTO procedures prevent the equipment’s accidental operation by isolating energy sources in the machine.

Keeping hazardous energy in check

Hazardous energies can come from a variety of sources in the workplace. While some energy sources are easily identifiable — such as electricity or kinetic energy from a falling object — energy can also be stored in a spring wound too tightly or air pressure in a pneumatic system. Identifying the sources of energy is only part of the solution, as it is also important to isolate or lock out any stored energy that these machines may have, such as in capacitors for electrical equipment or the built-up pressure in hydraulic devices. Proper isolation of energy sources and discharge of stored energy is crucial before doing any maintenance or repair in these machines. If left improperly isolated, these energy sources can potentially cause severe injury or death to workers.

Lockout or tagout

Lockout or tagout procedures are implemented to prevent any unauthorized or accidental use of machinery while some maintenance or repair is done. This would entail having an authorized group of people who would identify all energy sources and know how to keep them under control. These individuals would lock out the equipment and apply their tags to quickly see if people are still working on the machine and for identification purposes. Once all maintenance or repairs have been done, the locks and tags will be removed, and the authorized personnel can re-energize the machine.

If you still have questions about the importance of lockout or tagout procedures, visit us today at KC Supply Co.