Enter the bucket volume, bucket fill percentage, and bucket rate (buckets per minute or per hour) into the calculator to estimate grain leg capacity.

Grain Leg Capacity Calculator

Capacity (Basic)
Belt Speed Method
BPH & HP

Enter any 3 values to calculate the missing variable

Related Calculators

Grain Leg Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the grain leg capacity (a volumetric flow rate).

C = V * (F / 100) * R

Variables:

  • C is the grain leg capacity (e.g., cu ft/hr, m³/hr, or L/hr)
  • V is the bucket volume
  • F is the bucket fill percentage
  • R is the bucket discharge rate (buckets per unit time, typically buckets per hour)

To calculate the grain leg capacity, multiply the bucket volume by the bucket fill fraction (F/100), then multiply by the bucket discharge rate (buckets per hour). If you only know belt speed and bucket spacing (pitch), the buckets per minute is approximately belt speed divided by spacing.

What is a Grain Leg?

A grain leg, also known as a bucket elevator, is a mechanism for hauling flowable bulk materials (most often grain or fertilizer) vertically. It consists of a series of buckets attached to a belt or chain with pulleys or sprockets located at the top and bottom of the device. The buckets are loaded with material at the bottom and then lifted to the top before being discharged. Grain legs are commonly used in agricultural and industrial settings to transport materials to storage bins, silos, or processing facilities.

How to Calculate Grain Leg Capacity?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Grain Leg Capacity.

  1. First, determine the bucket volume (V).
  2. Next, determine the bucket fill percentage (F).
  3. Next, determine the bucket discharge rate (R) in buckets per hour (or convert from buckets per minute).
  4. If you are using belt speed and bucket spacing, you can estimate buckets per minute as belt speed divided by spacing, then multiply by 60 to get buckets per hour.
  5. Finally, calculate the grain leg capacity using the formula C = V * (F / 100) * R.
  6. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Bucket Volume (V) = 7 L

Bucket Fill Percentage (F) = 80%

Bucket Rate (R) = 500 buckets/min

Grain Leg Capacity (C) = 168,000 L/hr