Domed Stadiums Provide Low-Cost Storage

Domed Stadiums Provide Low-Cost Storage CROP STORAGE Grain Storage 6-4-14 Newest idea in high-volume, low-cost grain storage are "domed stadiums": actual air-supported domes that are much like the fabric type dome stadiums built for tennis, football, baseball and other sports around the country. "We can build domes to store up to 150,000 bu. using fabric ranging from woven polyolefin, for relatively temporary storage, to vinyl coated nylon, which will last many years," says Dick Roeder, president of FOF Products, Delavan, Wis. "The dome can easily be erected by the farmer in one or two days and we can ship them anywhere." Air is forced into the dome by 3 to 4 2,000 cfm fans around the perimeter of the structure. Coupled with air ducts laid out through the grain pile, these same fans can be used both to aerate the grain and to hold up the dome. A steel cable, threaded through a channel at the bottom of the structure and earth anchors, secure the structure to the ground. "Our domes are designed to operate as both an inflated air structure and as a vacuum grain cover. When the structure is being loaded or unloaded through the large zipper doors, it is inflated. To save energy when it's not in use, the structure is deflated and a vacuum pulls on the cover. The cost of operating a Stor/Con air dome is less than 1/2 cent per bushel. Installation cost is less than 10 cents a bushel, depending on fabric used," says Roeder. Grain can be conveyed to the dome with an overhead auger through the top of the structure. Bucket loaders and augers can be used to unload it. To get an idea of the size of the bins, a 120,000 dome is 130 ft. in diameter. Domes can also be erected over bunker or trench silos, or for use as machine sheds. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, FOF Products, Inc., 1450 Racine Street, Delavan, Wis. 53115 (ph 414 728-9416).

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