Grain Bin Relocation In Demand

Grain Bin Relocation In Demand CROP STORAGE Grain Storage Jerry Kloos routinely turns away grain bin moving requests Kloos branch manager for a Minnesota grain co-op and a grain equipment dealer has only moved a limited number of bins in his 40 years in the business But he says interest has picked up and could provide a good sideline business “After a recent article in a regional paper about a big bin we moved I’m getting calls from around the state ” says Kloos “Lifting an entire bin is a good way to upgrade with a new foundation or to add a full floor ” Kloos notes that while drying floors or full floors are common today many old slab floor bins still exist “Anytime you get grain off the concrete you gain benefits ” he says Kloos and his crew worked with Kockelman Construction Inc of Canby Minn on most of the 8 bins he has moved They have rearranged bins from a straight line to a half circle around a grain dryer and moved bins from crumbling foundations to a new ones The key according to Kloos is to keep the bin “in-the-round” as it moves Kloos uses a wheel from a motor grader as a centering device After attaching a number of chains to the wheel it’s snugged up under the roof by a cable leading to a crane hoist “The chains are attached to brackets on the wall with come-alongs ” explains Kloos “With the wheel snug to the roof we tighten up the come-alongs to put tension on the chains Then as the crane lifts the wheel it’s lifting the roofs and the sides at the same time ” The bin can be set aside while the new foundation is prepared Before resetting on new foundations bin edges are sanded and the bin is carefully measured on all sides to ensure it has stayed “round” A full floor can also be attached before the bin is reset Kloos credits the right equipment experienced equipment operators and good weather conditions for a smooth move Minimal wind is vital as is simply being careful he adds Contact: FARM SHOW Followup FCA-Minneota P O Box 128 301 E St Minneota Minn 56264 ph 507 872-6182

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