The way to shorten waiting time at harvest is to record the motor data of every critical machine before anything fails and to decide which motors will have a spare. If the label photo, mounting dimensions and drive details are already to hand when the season starts, the right model is identified quickly and shipping can be planned early.

DRG-160M1-2 11 kW 3000 rpm cast iron frame DRG three-phase motor – harvest season spare motor

A motor card for each machine

The card is a one-page record hung next to the machine or kept in a shared folder. It should contain:

  • A legible label photo: power, speed, voltage, IEC frame
  • Shaft diameter and length, key width
  • Shaft height, foot hole spacing or flange type
  • Pulley diameters or coupling type
  • An overall photo of the motor on the machine and the cable entry direction

Which motors come first?

Motors that stop the whole line when they stop come first: the drying fan, main elevator, feed screw and seed cleaner are typical examples. If you have several machines with the same power, speed and frame, a single spare may cover all of them; this shows the value of standardising motor ratings as far as possible before the season. With the cards laid side by side it is easy to see how many machines each spare covers.

How to keep a spare motor

A spare motor should be stored in its original packaging in a dry, vibration-free place away from dust. During long storage, turning the shaft by hand now and then stops the bearing from carrying load at the same spot. If the motor has spent a long time in a damp store, have qualified electrical staff check its insulation before commissioning.

Planning supply before the season

The estimated dispatch and delivery date is given in the order confirmation. Heavy motors travel by palletised freight, so delivery time can differ from parcel shipments; collection by appointment from the DRG warehouse in Izmir is another option. Ordering critical motors before the season begins lowers the risk of having to decide in a hurry in the middle of harvest.

For drying applications see the grain dryer motors page, and match the values on your cards in the motor comparison tool and the three-phase motor shop.