As farms continue to grow in size, individual fields are getting farther and farther from home base. Being able to unload and go efficiently becomes an even bigger priority. That's why some farmers have turned to drive-over hoppers for quick-and-easy unloading during harvest season.

For years, the typical way to unload a crop involved physically pushing a swing hopper under every load. Farms with smaller grain bins, requiring more frequent auger moves, may still prefer swing-out hoppers since those devices are often easier to move. Purchasing a swing-out extension for an existing auger can be considerably less expensive than a drive-over hopper. However, with a drive-over unit there's no positioning the hopper or repositioning the truck.

"The idea of positioning a swing hopper under every load wasn't very appealing, and I wanted to find an alternative," says Kevin Telkamp, a farmer from Brookings, South Dakota.

Telkamp, who works approximately 1,200 acres, chose a one-piece, portable drive-over unit.

One reason these drive-over units are becoming so popular has to do with the number of good used semitrailer trucks in the market. An ample supply of trucks has brought the price down. So not only are semitrailer trucks affordable, but also they hold more than a typical gravity wagon.

Before you purchase a drive-over hopper, consider these points.

How easy is the unit to set up? Will it require more than one person?

Do the wheels have to be removed?

How is the unit powered? Will your tractor be able to operate it?

Is the unit part of the auger or is it transported separately?

If the unit is separate from the auger, is it compatible with your current auger system?

How big are your grain bins?

At how many locations will you be unloading?

Featured on the following pages are a few of the drive-over hoppers that are available.

As farms continue to grow in size, individual fields are getting farther and farther from home base. Being able to unload and go efficiently becomes an even bigger priority. That's why some farmers have turned to drive-over hoppers for quick-and-easy unloading during harvest season.

The drive-over GrainDeck has a single setup positioning. Features include 20-inch belt, 12,000-bushel-per-hour capacity, spring-loaded belt tensioner system, top roller drive, hydraulic raising and lowering for transport, and wind guards.