Grain carts, sometimes called grain auger wagons, are tractor-towed carts that can hold several hundred to 1,000-plus bushels of grain. Manufacturers and sellers of new and pre-owned models include A&L, Brandt, Brent, Demco, E-Z Trail, Ficklin, J&M, John Deere, Kinze, Parker, and Unverferth.
Unlike gravity grain wagons, which essentially use a bottom-located door and gravity to unload the grain inside, a grain cart contains its own auger system that enables unloading grain directly into a grain truck. Thus, a farmer can unload the combine while on the go and keep working rather than wait for a wagon to be unloaded or have to drive to a row’s end to unload in a grain truck. In addition to considerable potential efficiency gains, this can result in sizable operating cost savings.
Modern grain carts come in tire and tracked models (the latter considered better for muddy conditions) and include such features as camera systems to monitor unloading, directional downspouts, electronic tarp systems, front-located and adjustable augers to enable better visibility, hydraulic doors, integrated scale systems, flotation tires, computer balancing, dual auger systems, and remote downspout control.