A method for controlling the advancement of a grain bin sweep into a grain pile in a grain bin comprises monitoring the amperage of the auger drive and controlling the sweep drive motor based on the amperage load of the auger drive. The speed and direction of the sweep is controlled to maintain the load on the auger drive in a desired range. Hence, the speed of the sweep is slowed if the amperage load on the auger drive exceeds a desired maximum set point by a first amount; the direction of the sweep is reversed if the load on the auger drive exceeds the maximum set point by a second amount which is greater than the first amount; and the forward speed of the sweep is increased if the load on the auger drive falls below a minimum.
