cr-manufacturing

What Products Can Be Sampled with a CR Manufacturing Grain Probe?

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:49:19 GMT

What Products Can Be Sampled with a Grain Probe?

BEYOND CORN AND SOYBEANS

When many people think of grain probes, they think of sampling corn and soybeans. While those are two of the most common commodities handled at grain facilities across the country, modern grain probes are used to sample a wide variety of agricultural products.

Grain probes play an important role in collecting representative samples from incoming trucks. These samples help determine grain quality, moisture levels, and other factors that influence grading and storage decisions. Whether it's harvest season or year-round receiving operations, accurate sampling helps facilities make informed decisions and maintain consistency.

✓ Difference Crops, Different Regions

CORN & SOYBEANS

Corn and soybeans dominate much of the Midwest, with states like Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana, and Minnesota leading production. Grain probes at elevators throughout the Corn Belt sample thousands of loads of these commodities every harvest season.

WHEAT

Wheat is commonly sampled throughout the Great Plains. Kansas is often known as the "Wheat State," while North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota are also major wheat-producing regions.

BLACK BEANS & KIDNEY BEANS

Dry edible beans, including black beans and kidney beans, are grown extensively throughout the High Plains and northern United States. North Dakota is one of the nation's top dry bean producers, while Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, and Colorado also contribute significant production. These crops are commonly sampled before entering food-grade processing channels where quality standards are especially important.

CANOLA

Canola production has grown steadily across the northern plains. North Dakota leads U.S. canola production, with additional acreage found in Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Canola is valued for its oil content and is used in a variety of food and industrial applications.

OATS & BARLEY

Oats and barley are commonly found in the northern United States, especially in states such as North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Idaho. Barley is frequently used for livestock feed and malt production.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

When many people think of sunflowers, they picture North Dakota, which consistently ranks among the nation's top sunflower-producing states. South Dakota and parts of Kansas also contribute significant acreage.

MILO (SORGHUM)

Milo is particularly popular in drier climates because it is more drought-tolerant than many other crops. Large amounts are grown in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of Nebraska.

Contact us at 308-381-6662 for more information.

CR: Let Us Re-Introduce Ourselves

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:10:12 GMT

Reintroducing CR Manufacturing

BUILT FOR BETTER GRAIN HANDLING

If you've recently found CR Manufacturing, or if it's been a while since we've introduced ourselves, we'd like to take a moment to reintroduce who we are and what we do.

For more than 40 years, CR Manufacturing has been designing and building equipment that helps grain facilities operate more efficiently. Based in Grand Island, Nebraska, we manufacture grain handling solutions that support grain elevators, cooperatives, processors, feedlots, ethanol plants, and other agricultural operations across North America.

✓ Our mission is simple: help customers move grain safely, accurately, and efficiently.

We specialize in manufacturing:

Shuttle Grain Probes
Grain Return Systems
Remote Vacuum Systems
Traffic Control Equipment
Cameras and Intercom Systems
Grain Sampling Accessories

Each product is engineered to improve grain receiving operations, reduce truck wait times, protect grain quality, and help facilities keep grain moving during busy harvest seasons. Behind every product is a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting agriculture and the industries that keep grain moving.

Today, CR Manufacturing equipment can be found at facilities throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our products are designed, engineered, manufactured, and supported right here in the USA, giving customers confidence in the quality and reliability of every system we produce.

What makes CR Manufacturing different is more than the equipment we build. We believe in providing responsive service, practical solutions, and long-term support for every customer. From initial planning and installation to ongoing service, our team works directly with customers to ensure they have the right solution for their operation.

To learn more about the people who make CR Manufacturing possible, visit our Meet the Team page.

Contact us at 308-381-6662 for more information.

Harvest is Coming. Is Your Grain Probe Ready?

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:29:08 GMT

Preparing Your Grain Probe System for Harvest Season

HARVEST IS COMING. IS YOUR GRAIN PROBE READY?

For grain elevators, cooperatives, ethanol plants, feed mills, and grain handling facilities, harvest season is one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year.

As trucks begin rolling in and grain volumes increase, every piece of receiving equipment must be prepared to perform reliably. When a grain probe experiences unexpected downtime during peak harvest, operations can quickly become backed up, creating delays for employees, customers, and truck drivers alike.

The reality is that harvest success often starts long before the first load arrives.

✓ The Importance of Being Prepared

Many grain probe systems experience months of lighter use before harvest begins. During that downtime, normal wear and tear can go unnoticed until equipment is pushed back into full operation.

Preparing your grain probe system ahead of harvest can help facilities:

Minimize unexpected downtime
Improve receiving efficiency
Reduce maintenance surprises
Support consistent grain sampling
Keep truck traffic moving during peak volume periods

A small issue discovered in July or August is often much easier and less disruptive to address than the same issue found during the middle of harvest.

✓ Every Minute Matters During Harvest

When grain is moving, efficiency becomes critical.

L ong lines at the scale, delayed unload times, or equipment interruptions can impact the entire receiving process. Operators are focused on keeping grain moving safely and efficiently while maintaining the quality standards expected by customers.

Reliable grain probe performance contributes to a smoother operation by helping facilities maintain a steady flow from receiving to storage.

While no piece of equipment is completely immune from wear, proactive preparation can reduce the likelihood of unexpected interruptions when demand is at its highest.

✓ Don't Wait Until There's a Problem

One of the most common maintenance challenges is waiting until a problem appears before taking action.

Harvest is not the ideal time to discover worn components, aging systems, or performance concerns that may have been developing for months.

Instead, many successful grain facilities take a proactive approach by reviewing equipment readiness before harvest begins. Identifying potential concerns early allows maintenance teams to plan repairs, order parts, and schedule service on their own timeline rather than during an unexpected breakdown.

✓ Start Thinking About Harvest Readiness Now

Whether your facility handles a few hundred trucks or thousands of loads each season, preparation remains one of the best investments you can make before harvest.

A little time spent evaluating equipment today can help reduce stress, avoid surprises, and improve confidence when the busy season arrives.

Contact us at 308-381-6662 or Click Here to fill out our inquiry form.