Instruction Video

Having an electric roll tarp can be a very efficient and time-saving tool to have on a grain trailer. This tool allows a person to roll and unroll a trailer tarp with just a touch of a button. Proper use of an electric tarp can help reduce the risk of wrecked equipment and creates a more productive work environment. Knowledge of how to use the tarp display and determine what each percentage means are essential in using the automatic tarp opener.

Step 1: How to Roll and Unroll and Electric Tarp on a Grain Trailer

Knowing the step by step process on how to properly run an electric tarp will help to decrease the number of mistakes that can happen. If done correctly, a lot of time could be saved in the process of loading and unloading a semi grain trailer. For a person to have the ability to use an electric roll tarp a semi, grain trailer equipped with an electric roll tarp, knowledge of how to drive a semi, and a hand-held remote is needed. Without the necessary equipment and knowledge, this process cannot be completed.

Step 2: Determine Whether the Tarp Is Already Open or Shut

The first step in this process is to determine whether the tarp is already open or shut. This can be done by opening the cover of the gray remote, which for our operation is in the cup holder of every semi equipped with the electric roll tarp. Then look at your trailer and if the tarp is on the driver's side of the semi it is closed and if it is on the passenger side it is open.

Step 3: Closing the Tarp

If the tarp is 0% closed and the semi has just been filled by a grain cart the button below the close on the display screen will need to be held down, in order to close the tarp on the trailer. There is a percentage on the screen of the remote that will increase as the close button is held down. Once again look at your trailer and if the tarp is on the driver's side of the semi it is closed and if it is on the passenger side it is open. Be sure not to hold the button for too long after opening or closing the tarp to ensure the motor that runs the tarp doesn’t burn up.

Step 4: Opening the Tarp

Finally, if the tarp is 100% closed and it needs to be opened in whatever case it may be, the open button on the same hand held remote needs to be held down. Once the tarp stops on the passenger side of the trailer the tarp is opened and the open button of the remote can be released. Once again be sure not to hold the button for too long after opening or closing the tarp to ensure the motor that runs the tarp doesn’t burn up

Step 5: Conclusion

Though this may seem like it is an easy task there are a few things that can go wrong. The first thing is never close the tarp directly into the direction the wind is coming from. The wind can get under the tarp and can cause damage to both the trailer and the tarp. The second is always be aware of things around the semi and the trailer. Sometimes there are objects that the tarp could get caught on and rip the tarp or break the electric tarp system.

Now that I have given instructions on how to operate an electric roll tarp. This process should be able to be done in a safe and time efficient manner. Whether this is being done at the elevator or at a bin site this process should definitely be a time saver and a lot less labor for the truck driver.