By Kenneth Hellevang
Summer storms have created a need for grain storage structures. One option is to use bins that may not have been used for a while. However, a storm may have impacted the bin, or there may be deterioration that has occurred since it was last used.
Ken Hellevang, professor emeritus and retired North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer, recommends doing a thorough inspection and maintenance of the bin before using it.
An initial inspection should look for alignment, any indents or bends in the bin sheets, the connection between the roof and wall, and the wall connection to the foundation. Walk completely around the bin to see if the walls are straight, the eave is parallel to the ground and no wall or roof sheets are dented or deformed.
“A bin can slide on its foundation, so check if the bin appears to be centered on the concrete foundation,” says Hellevang. “Also, check if doors are intact and not out of square.”
Does the sealant between the bin wall and the concrete foundation look to be intact? If the sealant is damaged, then the wall sheets or anchors may have failed.
Source : ndsu.edu