Bruks Siwertell leads the way in grain handling
Grain handlers have to meet some of the most challenging dry bulk material demands. Import and export terminals are subject to massive surges in intake from the seasonality of crop harvests. Additionally, this is organic material that must be handled in a sensitive way to avoid spoilage.
Bruks Siwertell is the only manufacturer of grain-unloading systems that can deliver on all the needs of these operators. With our Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders, we can discharge grain and other agri-bulk commodities at rated capacities up to 1,800t/h. Added to this, our grain-handling attributes also include the highest continuous rated loading capacities, which are in excess of 3,000t/h.
Our grain handling systems provide exceptional environment-friendly performance with minimal dust and no spillage. Furthermore, the same machines, unloaders and loaders, can handle soybeans, meals and other non-free flowing foodstuff materials at these high capacities.
Efficient, clean conveying and storage and reclaiming systems can be matched to our grain unloaders and loaders.
READ CUSTOMER CASES FOR GRAIN HANDLING
Gentle grain handling is the key
Cargo degradation is a key consideration in grain handing. A successful material handling system for grain must offer extremely low degradation and crushing rates, minimizing the production of fines; powdery particles smaller than the individual grains.
Fines make grain difficult to aerate and increase spoilage rates. Fines must be removed before milling, so their presence in high enough levels can down-grade the quality of entire grain shipments. Furthermore, the greater the number of fines produced, the greater the dust emissions, raising the risk of fire and explosion in storage silos and other confined areas.
Siwertell ship unloaders are ideal for grain handling; their steady conveying velocity, with no particle collisions or crushing forces means that they avoid the cargo degradation concerns that traditionally accompany pneumatic unloaders, but maintain equivalent throughputs.
Our ship loaders and conveying systems offer similar gentle grain handling characteristics. We can provide independent test results to confirm the low levels of cargo degradation caused by our loaders, unloaders and conveying systems.
Stationary & Rail-mounted unloaders
Port-mobile unloader advantages
Bruks Siwertell has added a port-mobile unloader to its outstanding range of grain handling solutions. Optimized on many key levels from its stable, lightweight steel structure through to its gentle cargo handling, smooth cargo discharge, and operational performance, the unloader offers full port mobility, excellent efficiency and rated capacities and reduced investment costs.
The port-mobile unloader, like the road-mobile unloader, uses simplified, standard technology, which keeps maintenance and wear parts costs relatively low compared with other unloading systems on the market.

Through-ship performance
Although rated capacities are important performance indicators, it is our market-leading through-ship performance that really sets us apart from competitor systems such as grab cranes, pneumatic systems and bucket elevators. Excellent through-ship performance and reduced clean-up requirements ensure quick turnarounds that minimize the time grain vessels spend alongside loading and discharge berths.
Grain handling cleanliness
Bruks Siwertell grain handling systems easily comply with the strict environmental regulations that apply in many ports. Our totally enclosed systems eliminate spillage and offer close-to-zero dust emissions. Read more about our market-leading grain-handling solutions; whether you are interested in a stand-alone unit or a fully integrated terminal system.
Planned service stops keep Brazil’s grain unloaders in their prime
Brazil has vast agricultural reserves and is a world-leader in food production. Technological advances coupled with its natural resources means that Brazil is a strong competitor with the US as the world’s largest soybean and corn producer and exporter.
Ports in Brazil are booming, and like the advances in the country’s agricultural equipment and infrastructure, their in-port grain handling systems have had to step up to the challenge too. Today, Bruks Siwertell has four high-capacity grain unloaders operating in the country, with each machine running for about 3,500 hours/year.
With such a large intake of grain, the unloaders are running all of the time, throughout the whole year, so to be able to guarantee a continuous operation they all must have a planned maintenance stop for service once a year.
High-capacity grain loading in Australia
The privately-owned Newcastle Agri Terminal (NAT) in New South Wales, Australia, is a major grain port development. It commenced operations in early 2014, aiming to set new standards in grain loading and rail discharge speeds, while minimizing dust emissions and noise generation.
A heavy-duty travelling-belt type Siwertell SBL 1600TT ship loader was chosen for the new facility. The unit has a belt width of 1,600mm and is designed to load Panamax ships up to a maximum size of 60,000 dwt and a maximum beam of 32m.
Siwertell grain unloaders - technical specifications
Road-mobile unloaders |
Siwertell 400 PMU | Siwertell 600 PMU | Siwertell 490 F | Siwertell 640 M | Siwertell 790 D | |
Capacity | 240-400t/h | 400t/h | 600t/h | 600t/h | 1,200t/h | 1,800t/h |
Vessel size | Small <15,000 dwt | Panamax 60,000 dwt | Panamax 60,000 dwt | Panamax 60,000 dwt | Post-Panamax 80,000 dwt |
Capsize 180,000 dwt |
Materials | Grain, corn, feedstuff products, and soya bean | Grain, corn, and soya bean | Grain, corn, and soya bean | Grain, corn, feedstuff products, soya bean and soya meal | Grain, corn, feedstuff products, soya bean and soya meal | Grain, corn, feedstuff products, soya bean and soya meal |
Mobility options | Road-mobile, on gantry or stationary | Port-mobile with rubber tyres | Port-mobile with rubber tyres | With rubber tyres, on rails or stationary | On rails or stationary | On rails or stationary |