Application
Intake Pit and Bin Gates in Grain Handling
Answer in brief
In grain handling the gate is tied to the most dangerous task on the site: entering a bin.
A gate that cannot be proven closed and locked leaves a person standing on grain that can start moving.
- Make the closed position lockable and independently indicated.
- Expect foreign objects at the intake.
- Keep the gate dust tight; the dust is combustible.
Reviewed October 21, 2026 · Updated October 21, 2026
The problem
Intake pits receive whatever the truck brings, including stones and metal, and bin gates are the isolation points that entry procedures depend on.
Desired outcome
A gate that closes against the real column, can be proven closed, and opens again without damage.
Process approach
Robust blade designs with clearance for foreign objects suit intake pits, where jamming is more likely than leakage.
Bin gates used for isolation need a lockable closed position, clear indication and inclusion in the written entry procedure.
Dust tight sealing keeps combustible dust inside the equipment.
- Lockable, indicated closed position for entry permits.
- Clearance and access for removing a jammed object.
- Dust tight shaft and body seals.
Selection factors
- Foreign material expected at intake.
- Entry procedure and the isolation points it names.
- Dust explosion characteristics of the grain dust.
- Peak intake rate at harvest.
- Access for clearing without entering.
Common failure modes
- Bin entry on a gate that was not locked closed
- Foreign object jamming an intake gate
- Dust leaking at the gate and adding to the layer
- Gate opened remotely while someone worked below
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