2026 GEAPS Exchange innovation stations teach must-have maintenance and equipment skills

Grain handling facilities face mounting pressure to maximize equipment uptime while managing increasingly complex systems. The 2026 GEAPS Exchange innovation stations offer hands-on training opportunities that address the technical skills gap in today’s operations. These sessions provide practical knowledge that facility managers and technicians can apply immediately to improve equipment reliability and reduce costly downtime.

Equipment lubrication and gear maintenance

Proper lubrication remains one of the most critical factors in equipment longevity. Kevin Blankenship, solutions engineer at SEW Eurodrive USA, leads Best Practices for Gear Reducer Lubrication, an interactive session that explores how lubricant selection, oil type, and inspection practices impact equipment health. Attendees will examine failed internal gear components and discuss real-world examples of lubrication-related failures. This hands-on approach helps technicians understand the connection between maintenance practices and equipment performance.

The session Proper Mounting of Dodge TA Reducers and Safety Mount Bearings complements this focus on mechanical systems. Jeff Kuenn, global product manager at Dodge Industrial, and Chad Brown, application engineering manager, demonstrate installation techniques using Dodge Torque Arm gear reducers and Safety Mount Bearings. Participants learn to avoid common mistakes that reduce equipment life while gaining practical tips to maximize uptime in bucket elevators and conveyors.

Conveyor and material handling systems

Chain conveyors and bucket elevators form the backbone of grain handling operations, making their maintenance essential for facility productivity. Reggie White, director of operations at RNC-Company Inc., presents Chain Conveyors & Bucket Elevator Maintenance, highlighting preventive maintenance strategies that reduce costly downtime. The session covers bearings, sprockets, chains, rails, and belts, with proven techniques for inspections, lubrication, alignment, and wear detection. Attendees receive hands-on demonstrations of belt splicing and bucket installation, leaving with actionable steps to create or strengthen preventive maintenance schedules.

The Chain Lab: Interactive Chain Conveyor Bootcamp, led by Rusty Shannon, sales manager at AGI, provides focused training on chain conveyor systems. This hands-on session covers safe disassembly and reassembly, wear detection, and preventive maintenance techniques designed to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

Coupling and drive component selection

Understanding shaft coupling options can significantly impact equipment safety and maintenance requirements. Kevin Remack, senior product manager at Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc., presents Shaft Coupling Options for Safety and Reduced Maintenance. The session explores metallic and elastomeric couplings, highlighting how elastomeric elements offer the same torsional rating with no metal-to-metal contact. This eliminates lubrication requirements and reduces maintenance time. Attendees learn to select the right coupling based on shaft size, speed, chemical resistance, and ease of installation through hands-on demonstrations.

Advanced monitoring and measurement technologies

Modern grain operations increasingly rely on data-driven decision making. Defeating Hidden Inconsistency: Real-Time Flow Measurement for Automated Grain Handling and Processing, presented by Royce Schulte, president and CEO of CADARO, and Josh McGuire, chief technology officer, demonstrates how in-line flow sensors measure both flow rate and total accumulated weight with precision. The session transforms traditional estimation methods into actionable data through live examples and interactive activities that help participants calculate potential efficiency gains.

Storage and environmental control

Proper storage management requires understanding both environmental factors and equipment protection. Johannes Karcher, president of FrigorTec LP, leads Innovative Strategies in Grain Storage Management: The Role of Grain Chilling, addressing the fact that over 20% of globally harvested grain spoils annually due to insects and mildew. Attendees learn how grain chilling technology prevents spoilage, controls pests and fungi, and ensures long-term quality of stored grains.

Mike Mahoney, manufacturer sales representative at Standard Polymers, presents Sealing and Protecting Tank and Silo Chimes, a hands-on demonstration showing how flexible sealant technology protects vulnerable areas from moisture buildup and corrosion. Simple installation methods keep tanks and silos sealed while preventing long-term damage from weather and temperature swings.

Ventilation and air management

Understanding fan selection impacts both grain quality and work environment. Marcus Heller, product engineer at AGI, explores Fan Selection: Effects on Grain, Storage System, and Work Environment, examining differences between axial, high-speed, and low-speed centrifugal fans. The session includes detailed sound mitigation strategies, addressing both operational efficiency and workplace comfort.

Tom Nealey, owner of AGRI Engineering PLLC, and Warren Odekirk, project manager at Growmark Commercial Construction, present Aeration Roadblocks and Potholes. This interactive session uses demonstrations and videos to show airflow issues in bins and flat storage, measuring static pressure in grain columns and examining why center peaks rarely receive adequate airflow.

These innovation stations provide the technical foundation that modern grain operations require. By focusing on practical, hands-on learning, attendees gain skills they can implement immediately.