You can also incorporate a dryer into a bigger bin for less than $l5,000. This is five times faster than you can do in a hopper bin. It’s possible to dry grain down four points in seven days. But if we’re looking at multiple units, the question farmers now ask is, “Why not put up one 12-14,000 bushel bin for a lot less cost per bushel?”Īdded bonuses include flat storage using the new fast unload systems and better drying floors, which can cool and condition grain faster. This pushes bushels into the 6,600 to 8,000 range. Small bins have little monetary value and demand is dwindling.Ī 21-foot diameter bin on a hopper cone is now a popular choice. We’ve seen this in Manitoba already, especially after the flood. It’s a common scenario.Īs farm size grows, the value of the small bin drops. It’s likely that if an extra half section of land becomes available to you in the future, you’ll need a bigger bin immediately. With the combine capacity now available on most farms, the amount of quality grain you can harvest in one day is often greater than the size of most single bins. A bigger bin means convenience because you don’t have to move the auger as often. The unload system on bigger bins doesn’t cost any more whether the bin is wider or higher. The cost of going to a wider diameter bin is only three more cubic yards of concrete. The bigger the bin the lower the cost per bushel, except for hopper bins. Even then, you still may not build big enough.” When sizing a bin I often tell a farmer, “Build the bin as big as you can and then stretch your imagination. I didn’t buy the dryer big enough.” These common remarks are caused by not thinking big enough. How do I incorporate a dryer into my layout? What kind of dryer fits the operation and management style? It is worthwhile to bring in three-phase or put in a phase converter? Should I go to all underground wiring? There are many other questions to consider. To avoid this, calculate the necessary height into original blueprints. If we want to put a U-trough or some type of drag conveyor in front of the bins to bring the grain to a central point, once again find the bins may be too low. If this is not done, often in the name of saving money, we soon find the bins have sunk. After the bins are built, back fill in front of them with a proper base of gravel to support bigger trucks. A new site needs to be built up because trucks need a firm gravel base. Getting stuck always costs time and money.
#BUILD YOUR OWN SMALL GRAIN SILO FULL#
This way, I gain four things: the unload is higher coming out of the bin it speeds up and simplifies construction it lowers the cost and a full floor dries grain faster. When I design a bin with a full floor, my unload auger is not in the concrete. Stay away from an incline head because it slows down capacity and takes more power. Unloading equipment that comes out the side of a bin needs to be high enough to swing a hopper below the powerhead. Consider moving bins or trading off smaller bins that don’t fit the size of your operation.Ī common oversight is not making the bin foundations high enough.
You can place a grain dryer right in the bin row, or in back of the bins. You can add to this easily, often in both directions. The most common configuration I see is a simple, straight row of bins. Many farmers find it’s better to start from square one. This may mean picking a new, more open site rather than working with your old site. It’s essential to have room for big trucks to come in for loading and unloading. Avoid these mistakes now and your investment will pay off better in today’s economy and help you turn a better profit in years to come. In my 20 years experience in this field, I see common errors in building new or upgrading existing systems. The bin needs to be an effective grain handling system, able to dry and condition grain on a regular basis. In today’s world, the grain bin performs more than one function – it’s more than just storage. EACH YEAR ACROSS THE PRAIRIES, more capital investment goes into on-farm grain handling and drying.
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