Grain elevator
From Cornburning
- How much corn you want to buy. Corn is sold either by the metric tonne (1000 kg = 2205 lb), US ton (2000lbs) or by the Bushel (usually 56lbs).
- The elevator will add on a handling fee to their purchase price of the corn; e.g., 10 cents per bushel. The published commodity prices are generally for the purchase of corn from the suppler, not for the sale to the end user.
There are very few reports of some elevators raising their selling price to corn burners. If you suspect this, call ahead for the price without declaring the end use. Unless they ask, don't mention the quantity of corn that you seek. Depending upon local regulations, your corn purchase will be free of sales taxes.
You might wish to ask to have the corn Screened, if it isn't already. Some elevators do not offer this service, however. If they do, and the price is not too high, it would be recommended because your stove will run the best with clean corn.
Elevators are equipped to deliver mainly by dumping from overhead. Very few are able to auger into small containers or through small openings. Therefore, you must be prepared to receive a large dumping from overhead. If you wish the load to be dumped directly into a pickup truck bed, make sure that you first tape or otherwise block the cracks around the tailgate door. An alternative is to spread a tarp in the pickup truck's box before the dumping. A gravity wagon, as shown in the pictures, here, is ideal.
When you arrive at the elevator site, drive your vehicle onto the weigh scales. Stay there until given a sign. It might be a friendly wave or a green light. You will then be directed to the fill location. Make sure all your windows are closed. It can be a dusty experience. After your vehicle is loaded, you will need to return to the weigh scale. Make sure that the weighing includes all passengers who were initially on the scale. When given the sign, drive off the scale to free it for the next user, then proceed to the office to settle up.
Do not give corn burners a bad reputation. Do not be too demanding or otherwise slow down their operation. You will have no purchasing power. Your small load will be negligible compared to the volume that they usually sell. They are, in one sense, doing you a favour.
Or have the mill deliver it!
