LMC Aspirator for Seed & Grain Cleaning | Vistasort Canada
Seed & Grain Cleaning Equipment

LMC
Aspirators

High-precision air separation systems that remove dust, chaff, husk, and lightweight material from seed and grain streams — protecting downstream equipment and improving finished product quality. 24 models. Supplied and supported by Vistasort across Canada.

24
Available Models
20,000
Max CFM (Model 1206)
40+
Years Vistasort Experience
Any Crop
Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds & More

What Is a Seed & Grain Aspirator?

An aspirator is a critical piece of seed and grain processing equipment that uses a controlled air column to separate lightweight impurities from heavier, valuable product. Where screens separate by size and gravity separators separate by density, aspirators target aerodynamic properties — removing material that is too light or irregular to stay in the good product stream under controlled airflow.

The LMC Aspirator is a high-precision air separation system designed specifically for heavy-duty, continuous operation in commercial seed and grain processing environments. It is widely used as both a primary cleaning stage and as a pre-cleaning step ahead of gravity separators, color sorters, and air screen cleaners — protecting downstream equipment from dust loading and improving overall line efficiency.

  • Removes dust, chaff, husk, and broken seed from grain streams
  • Protects gravity separators and color sorters from excess dust loading
  • Reduces product dockage and improves export-grade quality
  • Improves working environment by reducing airborne dust
  • 14 gauge bolted carbon steel — 7 gauge in-feed sides
  • Mild steel and stainless steel contact surface options
  • Available in 24 models from 1,250 CFM to 20,000 CFM
LMC Aspirator air separation system for seed and grain cleaning — vertical air column design with vibratory in-feed pan and outfall discharge
Air Column
Separation Method
24 Models
Size Range
Carbon Steel
14 Gauge Construction
Stainless
Contact Option

How the LMC Aspirator Works

The aspirator uses a controlled air column to separate material based on density and aerodynamic profile — a simple, highly effective separation principle in continuous operation.

1

Uniform Product Infeed

Product enters the aspirator via an adjustable in-feed system — either a vibratory in-feed pan or rack and pinion gate — which distributes product evenly across the full width of the air column for consistent separation performance.

2

Controlled Air Column

Product falls through a precisely controlled vertical air column. Airflow velocity is set using adjustable control valves and monitored with a Magnehelic gauge (0–10" S.P.W.G.) to maintain exact separation conditions for each crop type.

3

Aerodynamic Separation

The controlled airflow lifts lightweight material — dust, chaff, husk, and broken seed — upward and away from the product stream. Heavier, valuable product continues downward through the air column, unaffected by the airflow.

4

Clean Product Discharge

Cleaned product exits through the bottom discharge point and continues to the next stage of processing. The Vernier-controlled air bleed system provides fine-tuning capability to optimize the separation point without stopping production.

5

Liftings Collection & Discharge

Removed lightweight material (liftings) is collected in outfall tanks and discharged separately via airlock or auger discharge systems — maintaining consistent air pressure within the separation column for stable, repeatable performance.

LMC Aspirator air separation system installed and operating in a seed and grain processing facility
Two Outputs
Clean Product Stream
Heavy, valuable product — continues to next processing stage
Liftings Discharge
Dust, chaff, husk, broken seed — discharged via airlock or auger

LMC Aspirator — Equipment Video

Watch the LMC Aspirator operating in a real seed and grain processing environment — supplied and supported by Vistasort across Canada.

LMC Aspirator air separation system — available through Vistasort, Western Canada's seed and grain processing equipment dealer.

Key Features of the LMC Aspirator

Built for continuous, heavy-duty operation in commercial seed and grain processing environments with full operator control over separation accuracy.

🌬️

High-Precision Air Column

The aspirator's vertical air separation column delivers consistent, uniform airflow across the full product stream — achieving repeatable separation of lightweight material regardless of throughput fluctuations.

🎛️

Vernier Air Bleed Control

Vernier-controlled air bleed valves allow operators to make precise micro-adjustments to airflow velocity without interrupting production — enabling fine-tuning of the separation point for different crop types and conditions.

📊

Analog Monitoring Package

Includes a Magnehelic gauge (0–10" S.P.W.G.) for continuous airflow monitoring — giving operators real-time visibility into separation conditions and enabling consistent, documented performance across shifts.

⚙️

Vibratory In-Feed Pan

The vibratory in-feed pan provides uniform product distribution across the full air column width — ensuring even exposure of all product to the airflow for consistent separation without channeling or dead spots.

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Rack & Pinion In-Feed Gate

A precision rack and pinion in-feed gate provides repeatable, adjustable product feed rate control — allowing operators to balance infeed volume against air column capacity for optimal separation efficiency.

🏗️

Heavy-Duty Carbon Steel Construction

14 gauge bolted carbon steel body with 7 gauge carbon steel in-feed sides delivers long-term durability in demanding processing environments — reducing maintenance frequency and extending machine service life.

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Outfall Tanks with Airlock Discharge

Outfall tanks collect removed liftings and discharge them via airlock or auger systems — maintaining consistent air pressure inside the separation column and enabling continuous operation without pressure fluctuations.

🔧

Aspirator / Shaker Combination

An aspirator/shaker combination configuration is available — combining air separation with mechanical scalping in a single unit for maximum pre-cleaning efficiency in a compact footprint.

Stainless Steel Contact Surfaces

Optional stainless steel product contact surfaces are available for food-grade applications where mild steel is not suitable — providing corrosion resistance and meeting food safety requirements for sensitive processing environments.

Aspirator vs. Other Cleaning Equipment

Understanding how aspirators fit into a complete processing line — and how they differ from gravity separators, air screen cleaners, and color sorters.

Aspirator

Air separation by aerodynamics
Separates by: Aerodynamic Profile

Uses controlled airflow to lift and remove lightweight material from the product stream based on aerodynamic properties.

  • Dust and fine particles
  • Chaff and husk
  • Broken and lightweight seed
  • Lightweight foreign material

Gravity Separator

Density separation on vibrating deck
Separates by: Density

Uses vibrating deck, airflow, and incline to stratify product by weight — separating same-size kernels that differ in density.

  • Frost-damaged kernels
  • Shrunken or immature seed
  • Low-density contaminants
  • Material with same size as good product

Air Screen Cleaner

Size & shape separation
Separates by: Size & Shape

Uses screens of various apertures combined with airflow to remove oversized and undersized material from the product stream.

  • Oversized foreign material
  • Undersized and broken seed
  • Scalping of large contaminants
  • Initial sizing and grading
💡
Best Practice: Use All Three in Sequence

Most high-performance Canadian seed and grain processing lines use air screen cleaning → aspiration → gravity separation → optical color sorting in sequence. Each machine targets a different type of contaminant, together achieving export-grade purity that no single machine can deliver alone.

LMC Aspirator — Full Model Specifications

24 models available to match any throughput requirement — from small seed cleaning operations to large-scale commercial grain facilities.

LMC Aspirator models are designated by column width (in inches) and number of columns. A Model 366, for example, has a 36-inch column width with 6 columns. This modular system allows precise matching of aspirator capacity to your processing line's throughput requirements.

All airflow figures are stated in cubic feet per minute (CFM) at four standard face velocities — 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, and 4,000 feet per minute. The appropriate face velocity for your operation depends on the crop type, product density, and desired separation threshold.

How to Read the Model Numbers

First Digits
Column width in inches (e.g., 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120)
Last Digit
Number of air columns (4, 6, or 8 columns) — more columns = higher throughput capacity
Example
Model 366 = 36 inch column width × 6 columns = 3,750 CFM at 3,000 fpm
CFM
Cubic Feet per Minute of airflow capacity at the stated face velocity in feet per minute
Model CFM @ 2,500 fpm CFM @ 3,000 fpm CFM @ 3,500 fpm CFM @ 4,000 fpm
1841,2501,5001,7502,000
2441,6672,0002,3332,667
2462,5003,0003,5004,000
3042,0832,5002,9173,333
3063,1253,7504,3755,000
3642,5003,0003,5004,000
3663,7504,5005,2506,000
3685,0006,0007,0008,000
4242,9173,5004,0834,667
4264,3755,2506,1257,000
4285,8337,0008,1679,333
4843,3334,0004,6675,333
4865,0006,0007,0008,000
4886,6678,0009,33310,667
6044,1675,0005,8336,776
6066,2507,5008,75010,000
6088,33310,00011,66713,333
7245,0006,0007,0008,000
7267,5009,00010,50012,000
72810,00012,00014,00016,000
8468,75010,50012,25014,000
96610,00012,00014,00016,000
108611,25013,50015,75018,000
120612,50015,00017,50020,000

* All airflow figures in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). fpm = feet per minute face velocity. Contact Vistasort for model selection guidance specific to your crop type, throughput, and processing line configuration.

LMC Aspirator Applications in Western Canada

The LMC Aspirator is widely used across multiple grain and seed industries — delivering measurable purity improvements in every crop category.

🌾

Wheat & Barley

Aspirators remove dust, broken kernels, and lightweight impurities before milling or export — improving grade, reducing dockage, and protecting downstream processing equipment from dust loading.

🫘

Pulses & Edible Beans

In peas, lentils, chickpeas, and navy beans, aspirators remove dust and split material — improving visual quality and downstream color sorter performance by clearing the optical path of fine particles.

🌻

Oilseeds & Canola

Oilseeds and forage crops benefit from controlled airflow separation to remove husks, chaff, and lightweight contaminants — protecting oil quality and extraction yield in downstream processing.

🌱

Grass & Forage Seeds

Lightweight grass and forage seeds require precise, low-velocity airflow control. LMC's adjustable Vernier controls allow fine-tuning for the delicate aerodynamic separation required for small-seeded crops.

🌿

Specialty Crops

High-value specialty crops with strict purity tolerances rely on aspiration to remove dust and chaff before color sorting — ensuring the sorter's optical systems are not compromised by particulate contamination.

♻️

Industrial & Recycling

LMC Aspirators are also used in industrial processing to separate lightweight contaminants from recyclable materials and specialty products — wherever aerodynamic separation of dry, flowable materials is required.

Why Buy Your LMC Aspirator from Vistasort?

Vistasort is your Western Canadian LMC dealer with over 40 years of seed and grain processing experience — providing more than just equipment supply.

LMC (Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing) is a leading manufacturer of seed and grain processing equipment. Vistasort is the authorized Western Canadian LMC dealer — supplying, integrating, and supporting LMC aspirators, gravity separators, and related equipment across Canada.

01

40+ Years of Processing Expertise

Vistasort has been designing and equipping seed and grain processing facilities across Western Canada since 1986. We understand Prairie crops, processing conditions, and export-grade quality requirements — and we apply that experience to every aspirator installation.

02

Full System Integration

Because Vistasort supplies the complete equipment portfolio — aspirators, gravity separators, color sorters, screens, and conveyance — we can design your aspirator installation as part of a fully integrated processing line, not just a standalone equipment sale.

03

Local Service & Parts Support

Vistasort is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — providing Canadian-based service, parts availability, and technical support for every LMC aspirator we supply. You're not dealing with an overseas manufacturer; you have a local partner who can respond quickly when you need support.

04

Custom System Engineering

Every processing operation is different. Vistasort provides custom system engineering for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and specialty crops — selecting the right aspirator model, configuring the infeed and discharge systems, and integrating the unit into your specific line layout.

LMC Aspirator FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about aspirators and how they fit into seed and grain processing operations across Western Canada.

What does an LMC Aspirator remove from seed and grain?
An LMC Aspirator removes dust, chaff, husk, broken seed, and other lightweight material from grain and seed streams using controlled airflow. It separates material based on aerodynamic properties — lifting lightweight impurities out of the product stream while allowing heavier, valuable product to continue through the system.
How is an aspirator different from a gravity separator?
An aspirator separates material by aerodynamic properties using a vertical air column, while a gravity separator separates by density using a vibrating deck and controlled airflow. Aspirators are used earlier in the processing line to remove dust and chaff, while gravity separators are used as a final polishing step to separate same-size product by weight. The two machines complement each other and are often used in sequence.
How is an aspirator different from an air screen cleaner?
An air screen cleaner separates seed and grain by size using screens, with airflow as a secondary separation method. An aspirator uses airflow as its primary and only separation mechanism, targeting aerodynamic properties. Most processing lines use both — the air screen cleaner for initial sizing and scalping, and the aspirator for dust and chaff removal before gravity separation and color sorting.
Do I need an aspirator if I already have a color sorter?
Yes. Aspirators are typically installed before a color sorter to remove dust and lightweight debris that can contaminate the sorter's optical lenses and sensors. This significantly improves color sorter accuracy, reduces maintenance frequency, and increases overall throughput. In modern seed and grain facilities, aspirators and color sorters work together as complementary parts of a complete cleaning system.
Can an aspirator remove ergot or discolored kernels?
No. Aspirators cannot reliably remove ergot or discolored kernels because these contaminants often have similar aerodynamic properties to healthy grain. Optical color sorters are required to detect and remove ergot based on visual characteristics. Canadian processors typically use aspiration + gravity separation + optical color sorting in combination for export-grade purity.
How many LMC Aspirator models are available through Vistasort?
Vistasort offers 24 LMC Aspirator models ranging from the Model 184 (1,250 CFM at 2,500 fpm) to the Model 1206 (20,000 CFM at 4,000 fpm). Models are designated by column width and number of columns, allowing precise capacity matching to your processing line requirements. Contact Vistasort for a model recommendation specific to your crop and throughput.

Get the Right LMC Aspirator
for Your Operation

Tell us your crop, throughput, and processing goals — Vistasort will recommend the right aspirator model and integration approach for your facility.