Side profile of a green J&M 1312 wheeled grain cart at Keast Enterprises

Comparing 1,100, 1,300, and 1,500 Bushel Grain Carts from J&M, Brandt, and Demco

When customers ask us which grain cart we recommend in the 1,100- to 1,500-bushel range, we usually start with the size and then compare brands. J&M, Brandt, and Demco are all popular grain-cart lines for us, and each manufacturer makes a strong single-auger cart in these sizes. A good match has to get back to the combine before it fills, work well with the loads going onto the trucks, and fit the tractor and the normal route through the field.

A larger grain cart is most valuable when it lets the operator take another combine unload or spend more time away from the combine without slowing harvest. If a 1,100-bushel cart already keeps up and matches the trucks well, moving to a larger cart may not change much. If the cart regularly has to leave before taking another unload, or the combine waits while the cart is at the trucks, the additional room in a 1,300- or 1,500-bushel cart can make a noticeable difference.

Once the capacity is right, the brand decision usually comes down to auger reach, spout control, visibility, tires or tracks, scale and tarp equipment, and the controls the operator prefers. J&M's X-Tended Reach carts, Brandt's XT carts, and Demco's single-auger carts handle those details differently, but all three are well-established choices that we regularly quote and sell.

One detail is worth clearing up before comparing models: the model number does not always equal the exact published capacity. J&M lists different capacities for some wheel, walking-tandem, and track configurations. Demco publishes both level and heaped capacities, while Brandt identifies the crop and moisture used for its rating. We compare the exact cart and undercarriage rather than assuming every model in the same general size range holds precisely the same amount.

Width and height deserve the same attention as capacity. The tires or tracks are often the widest part of the cart, which can determine whether it fits through a gate, down a road, or into a building. Loading-side height affects the clearance needed beneath the combine auger, while maximum tarp or transport height matters for storage doors and overhead clearance. Those dimensions are included with the individual models below because they change with both cart size and undercarriage.

How J&M, Brandt, and Demco approach these grain-cart sizes

J&M X-Tended Reach

J&M's X-Tended Reach carts use a straight, in-line vertical auger that folds toward the front of the cart. This keeps the auger in the operator's view while unloading and while it is being folded. The Side-Shooter spout can direct grain from straight down to 55 degrees outward, giving the operator room to adjust the grain stream while topping off a trailer. J&M also offers a right-side unload auger on the 1112 and 1312 for operators who prefer to watch the auger and tractor controls from the same side of the cab.

The 1112, 1312, and 1522 use 20-inch vertical augers that J&M rates at 600 bushels per minute. Depending on the model, buyers can choose large single tires, walking-tandem duals, or J&M track systems. A customer can match the cart's flotation, transport width, and field performance to the farm while keeping the familiar X-Tended Reach auger layout.

Brandt XT Series

Brandt uses the same basic XT auger and spout arrangement on the 1120XT, 1320XT, and 1520XT. All three have a 20-inch auger that Brandt rates at 600 bushels per minute, half-inch extended-life flighting, and a four-direction discharge spout. Brandt also publishes the same forward, upward, and side reach for all three models. An operator can move up in capacity without changing the reach or the way the spout is positioned over the truck.

Brandt also offers several control and visibility options within the XT line. Depending on how the cart is ordered, buyers can add a joystick that brings the hydraulic functions together, one-touch auger fold, automatic spout rotation, camera kits, an electric tarp, and a flow-gate indicator located where the operator can watch the spout. Flotation tires and Brandt track packages are available by model, so the undercarriage can be matched to the cart size and expected field conditions.

Demco Single Auger

Demco's single-auger carts use a forward-reach auger that keeps the discharge in view from the tractor cab. The Posi-Drive connection is designed to reduce shock as the auger engages, while UltraFlyte high-carbon-steel flighting is used throughout the unloading system. Demco also builds these carts with an extra-heavy-duty chassis and a sloped box that keeps grain moving toward the auger during unloading.

Demco's single-auger carts in these size ranges use a two-stage folding cylinder, and an available pendant can control the grain gate, auger fold, and adjustable spout from one place. Buyers can choose wheel or track configurations, including Camso and Soucy track systems when a larger footprint is preferred for field travel.

Comparing the 1,100-bushel grain carts

For many farms, the 1,100-bushel range is the first place we look. These carts work well with many common grain-trailer loads, but they are generally easier to fit through existing gates and into storage than the larger models. The exact capacity still depends on the manufacturer and undercarriage.

J&M 1112

The first thing to know about the J&M 1112 is that its published capacity changes slightly with the running gear. J&M rates it at 1,150 bushels on single wheels, 1,125 on a walking tandem, and 1,175 on tracks. All three versions use the 20-inch X-Tended Reach auger rated at 600 bushels per minute.

We often stock J&M 1112 carts with 1250 flotation tires, a manual roll tarp, Digi-Star GT400 scales, hydraulic gate control, and the front-fold X-Tended Reach auger. This equipment package keeps the J&M visibility and spout control in a cart that stays close to many common grain-trailer loads. A right-side unload auger is also available when that better matches how the operator watches the auger and tractor controls.

The tire package matters when checking the total width. J&M's reference dimensions for the 1112 on 1050 tires list a 13-foot-5-inch overall width and a 13-foot maximum tarp height. The 1250-tire, walking-tandem, and track configurations should each be checked separately because their outside width and height can differ from those reference dimensions.

Brandt 1120XT

Brandt rates the 1120XT at 1,100 bushels, with a 20-inch auger rated at 600 bushels per minute and a minimum tractor requirement of 200 horsepower. It has the same four-direction spout and published auger reach as the larger 1320XT and 1520XT, so choosing the smaller cart does not mean giving up the main operator features of the XT line.

The Brandt 1120XT can be equipped with 1250 flotation tires, Digi-Star GT400 scales, a manual roll tarp, inspection windows, and a full lighting package. Brandt also offers a track undercarriage for the 1120XT when the customer wants the same capacity with a larger footprint in the field.

Brandt's published dimensions list a 12-foot-10.5-inch transport height for the 1120XT. Depending on the wheel or track setting, the standard outside width ranges from 12 feet 10 inches to 15 feet 6 inches on tires and from 13 feet to 15 feet 8 inches on tracks. A 1250-tire configuration should be measured separately as part of the quote.

Demco 1100

Demco publishes both level and heaped capacities for the 1100. It is rated at 1,100 bushels level and 1,200 bushels heaped, with an unloading rate of 530 bushels per minute and a 175-horsepower minimum in the factory specifications. Those two capacity figures are a good example of why we compare the manufacturer's definition rather than relying only on the model number.

The Demco 1100 can be equipped with 1050 flotation tires, scales, a roll tarp, inspection windows, and LED lighting. Its forward-reach auger, available pendant controls, and choice of wheel or track configurations give us several ways to equip the cart around the customer's tractor and field conditions.

With 1050 tires, Demco publishes a 15-foot transport width for the 1100. The loading side is 11 feet 8 inches high and the high side is 12 feet 8 inches. Those dimensions make the 1100 narrower and lower than the larger Demco single-auger carts covered below, while still requiring the combine auger and building doors to be checked.

When a 1,300-bushel grain cart makes sense

The 1,300-bushel models add roughly 175 to 200 bushels over the comparable 1,100-class configurations above. That additional room is useful when it allows the cart to take another combine unload, finish filling a truck, or make a longer trip to the field entrance without forcing the combine to wait.

J&M 1312

J&M rates the 1312 at 1,325 bushels on single wheels, 1,300 on a walking tandem, and 1,350 on tracks. It uses the same 20-inch X-Tended Reach auger rated at 600 bushels per minute as the 1112, and the right-side unload option is also available on this model.

The J&M 1312 can be equipped with 1250 flotation tires, Digi-Star GT400 scales, a manual Glide-Right roll tarp, hydraulic gate control, inspection windows, and lighting. For an operator who already likes the J&M auger and spout placement, the 1312 lets the cart stay with the combine longer without changing the basic unloading arrangement.

J&M's published dimensions for the 1312 on IF1250 tires list a 14-foot-3-inch overall width and a 13-foot maximum tarp height. That is 10 inches wider than the 1112 reference measurement above, so the 1312 can require a wider gate or storage opening even though both carts have the same published maximum tarp height.

Brandt 1320XT

Brandt rates the 1320XT at 1,300 bushels and 600 bushels per minute, with a minimum tractor requirement of 250 horsepower. It uses the same 20-inch auger, four-direction spout, and published reach as the 1120XT and 1520XT. That lets a customer add cart capacity without changing how the auger reaches the truck or how the spout is controlled.

The Brandt 1320XT can be equipped with 1250 flotation tires, Digi-Star GT400 scales, a manual roll tarp, inspection windows, and lighting. Brandt also offers a 36-inch track package for this model when tracks better suit the customer's field conditions.

Brandt lists the 1320XT at 15 feet 6 inches wide on tires and 13 feet wide on tracks, with a 12-foot-6-inch transport height for either undercarriage. In this case, the track package is substantially narrower for transport than the 1250-tire configuration, so tracks affect both flotation and whether the cart fits the route.

Demco 1300

Demco rates the 1300 at 1,300 bushels level and 1,375 bushels heaped. Demco lists an unloading rate of 530 bushels per minute. The forward-reach auger, Posi-Drive connection, UltraFlyte flighting, and available pendant controls from the 1100 all carry into this larger model. We confirm the tractor requirement for the exact cart when preparing the quote.

The Demco 1300 can be equipped with 1250 flotation tires, scales, a roll tarp, grain-viewing windows, and LED lighting. Track systems are also available for customers who prefer a larger footprint than the flotation-tire configuration.

With 1250 tires, Demco publishes a 15-foot-10-inch transport width for the 1300. The loading side is 12 feet high and the high side is 13 feet 1 inch. Compared with the Demco 1100 on 1050 tires, the 1300 is 10 inches wider, four inches taller on the loading side, and five inches taller on the high side.

When to consider a 1,500-bushel grain cart

We normally look at the 1,500-bushel range when combine output is higher, fields are longer, trucks need to remain at a distant entrance, or one cart operator is covering more of the harvest. The additional capacity gives the operator more time before returning to the combine, but it also adds a substantial amount of loaded weight. The tractor, drawbar, undercarriage, field entrances, bridges, and storage route all need to be considered with the cart.

J&M 1522

J&M rates the 1522 at 1,475 bushels on single wheels and 1,500 on tracks. It uses the same straight 20-inch X-Tended Reach auger rated at 600 bushels per minute. The 1522 keeps the J&M auger visibility and Side-Shooter spout while giving the operator more time away from the combine.

The tracked J&M 1522T can be equipped with J&M's V4 track system, Digi-Star GT400 scales, a manual roll tarp, hydraulic gate control, inspection windows, and lighting. The V4 undercarriage spreads the loaded cart over a larger footprint than a single-tire configuration.

J&M's 1522 reference dimensions on IF1250 tires list a 14-foot-3-inch overall width and a 13-foot maximum tarp height. The V4 and Stabilizer Trax2 undercarriages have different outside dimensions, so the exact track package should be confirmed rather than applying the single-tire width to a tracked 1522T.

Brandt 1520XT

Brandt rates the 1520XT at 1,500 bushels and 600 bushels per minute, with a minimum tractor requirement of 300 horsepower. It keeps the same XT auger reach, half-inch extended-life flighting, and four-direction spout found on the smaller models. Brandt offers the 1520XT on 1250 flotation tires or a 36-by-170-inch track package.

The 1520XT gives buyers the largest of these three Brandt XT carts while keeping the line's familiar controls, ground-level tank access, and available controller, camera, tarp, and auger-control packages. The exact Brandt grain-cart configuration can be matched to the tractor and field conditions.

Brandt lists the 1520XT at 15 feet 6 inches wide on tires and 13 feet wide on tracks, with a 13-foot-1-inch transport height for either undercarriage. The tire and track widths match the 1320XT, but the 1520XT is seven inches taller, which can be the deciding measurement at a storage door.

Demco 1500

Demco rates the 1500 at 1,500 bushels level and 1,575 bushels heaped, with an unloading rate of 530 bushels per minute. It brings the Demco forward-reach auger, Posi-Drive connection, UltraFlyte flighting, and heavy-duty chassis into the largest size covered in this comparison. We confirm the tractor requirement for the exact cart when preparing the quote.

The Demco 1500 can be equipped with 1250 flotation tires, a roll tarp, inspection windows, and lighting. Demco also offers Camso and Soucy track systems for this model, which gives customers another way to equip the 1500 around their field and transport requirements.

With 1250 tires, Demco publishes a 16-foot transport width for the 1500. The loading side is 12 feet 3 inches high and the high side is 13 feet 5 inches. That makes it two inches wider, three inches taller on the loading side, and four inches taller on the high side than the comparable Demco 1300 configuration, measurements that should be checked before the cart is routed through existing gates or buildings.

Use the time away from the combine to choose capacity

The easiest way to decide whether the additional capacity will help is to time one complete grain-cart cycle. Start when the cart leaves the combine and stop when it is back in position and ready to receive grain again. The cycle should include travel, positioning at the truck, unloading, any time spent waiting for an empty truck, and the return trip.

A simple calculation shows how much grain the combines produce while the cart is away:

Bushels produced while the cart is away = combined harvest rate in bushels per minute × minutes away

If the combines are harvesting 4,500 bushels per hour, they are producing 75 bushels per minute. At that rate, an additional 200 bushels gives the cart operator about 2.7 more minutes, while an additional 400 bushels gives about 5.3 minutes.

Those minutes matter when they allow the cart to take another combine unload and return before the combine fills. If the cart spends most of its time waiting beside full trucks, more cart capacity may not remove the delay. In that case, truck turnaround or the receiving equipment may be the next part of the harvest system to address. When the trucks and receiving system can keep up, the larger cart can reduce return trips and help keep the combine moving.

The tractor and field route need to fit the loaded cart

Capacity is helpful only when the tractor and field route can handle the loaded cart comfortably. Using 56-pound corn as a planning example, every additional 200 bushels adds about 11,200 pounds of grain. Moving from 1,100 to 1,500 bushels adds about 22,400 pounds before the empty weight of the larger cart is considered.

The minimum horsepower number is only the beginning of the tractor check. When we quote a cart, we confirm recommended horsepower, PTO speed, hydraulic flow and remote outlets, drawbar and tongue-load limits, ballast, braking, and the controls needed for the exact configuration. We also compare the cart capacity with the pounds or measured bushels the trucks normally carry so that it improves the field-to-truck cycle rather than creating another partial load.

Before recommending an undercarriage, we also ask where the cart will travel. The narrowest gate, bridge, road, and building opening can be just as important as field size. We need the lowest overhead clearance, available storage space, and combine unloading-auger clearance as well. Single tires, walking tandems, and tracks can change the cart's width, height, empty weight, maintenance, and transport requirements even when the model number remains the same.

Tracks and flotation tires spread the load across a larger surface area and can improve field performance, especially when ground conditions are soft. Heavy axle loads can still cause deeper compaction, particularly in wet soil, so field traffic patterns, tire inflation, and whether the cart can follow established combine tracks should be part of the discussion.

Compare the complete cart, not just the model number

Two grain-cart quotes can look similar until the tires or tracks, scale display, tarp, controls, and factory options are compared. When we prepare a J&M, Brandt, and Demco comparison, we want each quote to identify:

  • The exact model and whether the stated capacity is level, heaped, or tied to a particular wheel or track configuration.
  • The unload-auger layout, published rate, reach, spout movement, grain-gate control, and folding controls.
  • The single-tire, walking-tandem, or track package, along with the resulting width, empty weight, and transport dimensions.
  • The tractor horsepower, PTO, hydraulic, drawbar, and tongue-load requirements for that configuration.
  • The scale monitor, roll tarp, camera, lighting, inspection windows, cleanout access, and operator controls included.
  • Every factory option and item installed by Keast Enterprises, including the paint color when it applies.

What we need to recommend the exact cart

When customers send us the following information, we can compare all three brands on the same basis instead of guessing from the model number:

  • The combined bushels per hour during a strong part of the harvest day.
  • The minutes from leaving the combine until the cart is back and ready to receive grain again.
  • The combine grain-tank capacity and the normal unloading pattern.
  • The pounds or measured bushels each truck normally carries from the field.
  • The make and model of the tractor planned for the cart.
  • The narrowest gate, road, bridge, and building opening along the route.
  • The lowest overhead clearance and the combine's unloading-auger clearance.
  • The preferred single-tire, walking-tandem, or track undercarriage.
  • The scale, tarp, camera, spout-control, and other equipment you want included in the quote.

Keast Enterprises sells J&M, Brandt, and Demco grain carts because each manufacturer offers useful choices across these popular capacity ranges. Send the harvest cycle, tractor, truck, and access details to sales@keastenterprises.com, and we can compare the exact 1,100-, 1,300-, and 1,500-bushel configurations and recommend the cart that fits the way your operation harvests.

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