Clump Bustin’
Grain storage is a critical part of your operation — keeping quality high and problems low is the goal! One question that comes up repeatedly in the grain handling world is: “Do I really need a sump guard or clump buster inside my bin? And if so, which one is best?”
In this post, we break it all down in simple terms so you can make an informed decision for your farm or facility.
First, let’s just be blunt. As a contractor there is simply no worse phone call we can get from a customer than “yeah say, we have a problem in our bin. We think the center sump is plugged.” It is not an easy fix we can just send a service guy out to make right. Grain bins must be unloaded from the center sump until all grain stops flowing (unless there is a designed side draw system). So if the bin is still full of a bunch of grain and the center sump is plugged, what do you do? Most often the options people have are:
- Try to poke at the clumps from above. Which is often futile attempt and always unsafe because of entering the grain bin
- Try to unload from secondary sumps, but often they are not close enough to the center to allow safe unloading of the grain bin per manufacturer specs and design
- Completely throw safety out the window and cut a hole in the sidewall of the bin or in the door. HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED and against all manufacturer guidelines!!
- Remove your auger from your bin unload tube and try to access blockage by utliziing compressed air, or a grain vac.
- Of course we have heard of the running the unload auger motor backwards and putting golf balls in it…..
- Get a grain vacuum and try to remove from the center (typically only option is from above)
- BEST/ SAFEST OPTION- find an auger tube/ flight that is atleast as long as half the diameter of the bin. Cut a small circular hole (size of auger) right above the aeration floor in the bin sidewall. Stick the tube into this hole and push it into the bin, trying to angle it up slightly not to damage the floor. Use something like a tractor or skidsteer to do this. Goal is to get it as close to the center of the bin as possible. Then hook a powerhead and motor up to the auger and unload the bin this way.
As you can see all this turns into a major headache, very costly and dangerous. What if you could avoid all this trouble???
What Are Sump Guards and Clump Busters?
Sump Guards and Clump Busters are protective components installed inside grain bins, usually near the center sump area where grain unloads into augers or conveyors.
They serve one main purpose:
Reducing clumping— helping grain flow more freely and safely
Do You Really Need One?
The short answer: Yes — in most cases, they’re worth it.
Here’s why:
1. They Improve Grain Flow
Grain doesn’t always flow evenly. Moisture, fines, and temperature changes can cause grain to clump up or even worse, bridge inside the bin. A clump buster helps break up these formations and keeps material moving toward unload points.
2. They Improve Safety. With less chance of clumps of grain plugging up your unloading equipment, there is less reason to have to enter a grain bin. Entering grain bins with grain in them is extremely dangerous!
Bridging and clogged discharge areas mean:
More time climbing into bins
Slower unloads
Risk of safety issues- Center sumps plugging encourage or force farmers to utilize practices they know are not safe, like unloading out of side sumps or through a grain bin door.
Installing a guard can help minimize these headaches.
Types of Sump Guards and Clump Busters
There’s no one-size-fits-all product, but here are the most common options:
1. Traditional Stationary Guards- these mare relatively cost effective products, generally made of steel, that are simply mounted or placed right above the center sump of the grain bin. These are often referred to as ClumpBusters or Sump Guards or Well Gards. The force, weight and pressure of the grain above pushes the clumps through the guard, busting up the clumps of grain.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Cost effective
- Lasts a long time
Cons:
- No mechanical means of breaking up clumps, strictly relying on force and weight.
- Need to be removed before any sweeps can be ran
- You have to remember to put it back in the center after you run sweep and before you refill the bin
- Can be heavy to install
Best for smaller bins and budget sensitive operations
2. Power Sweep Mounted Sump Protectors- These are somehow integrated with the powersweep inside your grain bin. These models would be similar design to the above stationary, but they are designed to mount to the sweep gearbox.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Cost effective
- Lasts a long time
Cons:
- No mechanical means of breaking up clumps, strictly relying on force and weight.
- Only compatible with specific brands. (i.e. Brocks WELL-GARD Discharge Guard product would only mount on the Brock Harvest Time Sweep)
Best for smaller bins and budget sensitive operations
3. Mechanical or Powered Sump Protectors- These products would have some sort of spinning or moving pieces that forcibly break up the clumps. Most often powered by hydraulics or mechanical power from the powersweep. Brands often thought of in this category are Bin Sump PRO or Sump Saver.
Pros:
- Best ability to break up clumps with reliability
- More flexible for different applications
Cons:
- Need to be powered- so you either need a hydraulic source (Sump Saver) or it has to be field install into a power sweep (Bin SumpPRO)
- Price- These are typically several thousand dollar investments.
Best for: Operators who are serious about center sump concerns. Typically used in larger bins, like 100,000 bushels or more.
Why We Like Using Sump Savers
One product we’ve had excellent results with is the Sump Saver.
What Is a Sump Saver?
A Sump Saver is a specialized sump guard designed to:
Redirect grain flow
Minimize clumping at the very point of discharge
Why We Recommend Them
Here’s what we’ve noticed:
✔ Better grain flow
Bins with Sump Savers consistently show less bridging and better unload rates, especially with wetter or more variable grain.
✔ Easier cleanout
Because the flow is more predictable, there’s less manual cleanout — saving time and reducing safety risk.
In our experience, Sump Savers strike a great balance between protection, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
What to Consider When Choosing
To pick the best option for your operation, ask:
✔ What type of grain do I store most often?
✔ How often do I see bridging or clumping?
✔ Do I use a sweep or a center unload?
✔ How much bin traffic and usage do I have?
If clumping and bridging are frequent problems in your bins — or you’ve had wear and tear on sweep arms or augers — then a quality sump guard or clump buster is more than just a convenience — it’s a smart investment.
Tips for Best Results
Install the guard or buster so grain hits it before dropping straight into equipment
Keep it clean — inspect yearly
Match the product to your grain type — corn, soybeans, wheat, etc., flow differently
Final Takeaway
Are they needed? In most grain handling systems — yes.
Are they worth it? Absolutely — when chosen and installed correctly. We tell customers that they may never even know if it worked or saved them a headache. But if they don’t put one in and they plug their center sump, they are going to wish they installed it because it is always a big project and typically dangerous to get the center sump unplugged.
They boost safety, protect equipment, improve grain flow, and save you time and money in the long run.
Give Agri-Systems a call today so we can discuss your specific situation and make your operation even smoother.
