A considerable amount of physical effort is required to push any of these probes into grain. None can be expected to penetrate more than approximately 5 metres. Pneumatic grain samplers Pneumatic grain samplers overcome the main disadvantages of manual operation by using powered-suction to penetrate the static bulk of grain, and by taking a continuous sample. They are quicker to operate than manual samplers, and can be used easily to obtain samples from the sides and floors of bulk grain containers. The sampler consists of a tube approximately 1.4m long and 5cm wide, open at the bottom end and housing a motor-powered auger.
Grain lifted by the screw is collected in a bag at the outlet spout.
It is necessary to insert the device into the grain at an angle in order to obtain sample material. There are no extension pieces which would permit sampling deeper than the half metre or so the sampler penetrates. The sampler is therefore of limited usefulness. A Pelican sampler. It is used to obtain samples from freefalling grain, e.g. from a spout discharge to the hold of a ship.