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Convert Cribs To Hold Shelled Corn
Hundreds of ear corn cribs dot the Corn Belt countryside, but since very little ear corn is harvested any more, many of these structures go unused, except, maybe, for the center driveway, which can be used to shelter wagons or small equipment.
With very little effort or expense, however, these cribs can hold sh
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Convert Cribs To Hold Shelled Corn CROP STORAGE Corn Cribs 24-3-27 Hundreds of ear corn cribs dot the Corn Belt countryside, but since very little ear corn is harvested any more, many of these structures go unused, except, maybe, for the center driveway, which can be used to shelter wagons or small equipment.
With very little effort or expense, however, these cribs can hold shelled corn, beans or any other grain or oilseed crop, says Richard Siems, Bloomington, Illinois.
"My father converted his crib to hold shelled corn in 1970," Siems recalls. "Over the years, we've converted around 300 cribs for other people. If the crib has a good foundation, roof and studs, we can convert it."
The Siems use steel strapping 1-1/4 in. wide by .032 thick to reinforce crib corners and tie all the studs together so they can stand the pressure of shelled corn. "It's similar to the strapping used to fasten loads on semi-trailers or parts or equipment on pallets," he says.
Then the crib owner puts on siding of his choice. "Some use steel siding, so it looks like other newer buildings. But plywood or even hardware cloth will do the job once the crib has been reinforced," he says.
Siems says it can take anywhere from 2 hours to a full day to install the reinforcing in a crib. "It depends on the size, condition and whether we have to work around siding that's already been installed," he says. Cost of converting a crib depends on the size and amount of time Siems estimates it will take. "Typically, a 40 ft. crib that's 8 or 9 ft. wide at the bottom can be reinforced for about $350 per side," he says. Often, farmers convert one side of the crib to see how well it works and then convert the other side later.
Most of Siems' work has been within 100 miles of Bloomington, but he says he'd be happy to work outside the area as long as his additional expenses are reimbursed. Or he'll consult with people who'd like to convert their own cribs. Estimates are free.
A converted crib will hold about 1.5 times as many bushels of shelled corn as ear corn.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Richard Siems, 2903 Wellington Way, Bloomington, Ill. 61704 (ph 309 664-5419).
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