Grain bin - stiffeners or not?

andy r

Member
I have a fairly nice 18 foot grain bin (Butler) that I modernized on a new foundation. Added an aeration floor, fan, and unload auger. Originally the bin was 6 and one-half rings high. Didn't use the one-half ring, but did add one more full ring to make the bin seven rings high. The bottom ring is basically the same gauge as the 2nd from the bottom ring. The bottom two rings are made up of pieces that weigh about 70 pounds each (six per ring). As you go up the pieces weigh less. Most say I do not need to add stiffeners (two per section of ring - 12 total around the bin) if I am putting dry corn in the bin. They say the rings give way because higher moisture corn sticks to the side and then settles pulling down on the side causing the sheets to crush down. Corn going in will be dry - 14.5 percent. I have a similar bin, 7 rings high and it does fine. The problem is I don't know if it has heavier sheets at the bottom. I can still put stiffeners on and would probably only need to go a couple rings high. If dry corn and/or beans are OK then it would be over kill. Ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Your bin should be fine. There are hundreds of Butler bins around here and I have not heard of any being damaged like your worrying about. It is the larger bins that have this issue the worst.

Golden Grain and GSI are the thinnest bins I have seen, an I have seen them crush the sides with wet corn.
 
Reading your post I thought why not put them on...better safe than sorry, not knowing what future use might be. I"ve got 2 Sioux bins with them, also have MFS, Sioux, and another brand without. My renter had two Lindsay bins crumple, and replaced them this year. But reading JDS response, mentioning your BUTLER bin, I understood his answer, since that is probably the strongest brand around. Bin sheets generally thin out as you go higher, but some start with way thinner steel than others. Good to check those specs when pricing bins.
 
I agree with others in that Butler used heavier sheets. You will have no problem with a Butler. I had a Sioux crush with dry corn (24 ft. dia) When grinding out of the door access. Sioux is the worst.
 
The answer is "it depends". It depends on what the gauge of the steel is that you have. Odds are you will be fine. As for some brands being better than others, most bins are what I call "standard punch" and are like most every other bin with the exception of doors and roof caps. Most bin companies offer a standard gauge bin and heavier ones as well if the bin would have been used with an in-bin circulating mechanism, etc. If you are unloading out of the center with dry corn you likely will be fine. It's never a good idea to load out of the side. This can often cause collapsed sheets. Mike
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top