Adding opening to grain silo?

[kbeefy]

I have a long unused grain storage facility on my property.
There are 9 Silos all on very nice concrete pads. I would like to open the side of at least one and use it for storage.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of job?
I'm thinking I need to build a frame to support the structure before dismantling any of it.
They are bolted together with 3.7 million bolts each.

I would want to do the largest first, they are approximately 30' in diameter.



Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[loganb]

Dang that's a pretty nice setup there...that leg system work or has this been decommissioned and partially stripped.

How big of doors are you thinking? Walk size doors can be easily cut in, the challenge with these bins is they're not designed to resist much in the way of uplift forces from the interior. The larger the opening installed, the bigger the stuff that can be stored but the bigger issue that then arises with wind

 

[Garcky]

Check out this video of someone converting a grain bin like that into a usable building.

Also, search YouTube for Grain Bin Conversion. There are lots of videos of people doing what you're talking about.

 

[engineer2]

I'm sure you know this, but don't stir up any grain dust or it can become an explosion hazard.

 

[kbeefy]

Dang that's a pretty nice setup there...that leg system work or has this been decommissioned and partially stripped.

How big of doors are you thinking? Walk size doors can be easily cut in, the challenge with these bins is they're not designed to resist much in the way of uplift forces from the interior. The larger the opening installed, the bigger the stuff that can be stored but the bigger issue that then arises with wind

The leg system is all complete but I haven't worked up the courage (or stupidity) to throw a switch and see what happens.

I'm thinking at least 10x10 door. I actually envision a 'vestibule' built out from the silo that houses the door. The opening would be enclosed as long as the overhead door was closed.

Do you think it would support a 10x10 opening without any added support? I was thinking to frame the opening with iron.

 

[kbeefy]

I'm sure you know this, but don't stir up any grain dust or it can become an explosion hazard.

They are long since emptied, looks like someone went in with a vacuum.

 

[rlmartinson]

Could you rent it out to a neighbor?

 

[BMWBOB]

Do you think it would support a 10x10 opening without any added support? I was thinking to frame the opening with iron.

Greetings fellow Washingtonian!
I've seen bins turned into dining space, homes, and even condos. None of which were in WA. I expect you will run into all sorts of building permit issues. I would imagine if the 10x10 opening was framed with steel it would work - as long as the framing was substantial as these things are not built with shear strength in mind.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Bolt an angle iron frame to the inside or outside before you cut the opening. It will keep the structure rigid and make it easier to get a straight cut over the ribs. Your other issue is most of those probably have a drying floor in them that is 16" off the concrete pad.

 

[kbeefy]

Bolt an angle iron frame to the inside or outside before you cut the opening. It will keep the structure rigid and make it easier to get a straight cut over the ribs. Your other issue is most of those probably have a drying floor in them that is 16" off the concrete pad.

That was what I was thinking.

No 'drying floor' in the ones I've looked in, but I haven't checked the largest ones as the only access is about 10' up.

 

[kbeefy]

Greetings fellow Washingtonian!
... I expect you will run into all sorts of building permit issues.

Not on this side of washington. It's an old farm and noone really cares what you do.

 

[Walkers]

Since it held grain I would be careful of any methane build up when cutting. Ventilate it well, and use a non sparking method to cut. A sawzall and a spray bottle of water to keep it cool would probably work fine.
As far as strength, just remember standing on an empty coke can as a kid. They are incredibly strong for such a lite structure, but it doesn’t take much damage to the side before it collapses. So brace your sides and curved header well.

 

[kbeefy]

Your other issue is most of those probably have a drying floor in them that is 16" off the concrete pad.

Got me thinking so I had to go take a look.
If it did have a 'drying floor' would it be perforated for airflow? Mine appears to be a solid concrete slab aside from the port for moving the grain. I don't see any provisions for a fan or heater either, but these are 40-60 years old, may have been done differently back then.

 

[dfiler2]

A drying floor would be metal and have holes in it, as you mentioned. Around here that leg system would be very easy to sell. Lots of examples of grain bins that have been repurposed but usually much smaller. Talk to the local elevator and find out who sells bins in the area and ask them, they probably have done it before.

 

[southalabama]

I’d try and sell them to be relocated and just build a pole barn with the money.

 

[kbeefy]

I’d try and sell them to be relocated and just build a pole barn with the money.

I would if they were worth much. They are so big that they're not easily moved, so most people just want you to give them to them for the cost of disassembling and moving them. Then I just have a bunch of round pads and no money.

They do add a bit of nostalgia to the property, if your into farming.
(google street view)

 

[southalabama]

Perhaps rent to another farmer for their grain storage. Use proceeds to build a pole barn.

Once converted it will never return to its purpose. Unconventional construction gets expensive and isn’t efficient. Good luck.

 

[58Yeoman]

I've heard of farmers going crazy looking for a corner to pee in. Just sayin.'

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

We call these structures a grainery. You have 9 bins and guessing with a capacity of 5000 bushels each. Storage charge at .25 cents/ bushel. $11,000+ per season nice little side revenue stream. I’m guessing how many units, bushel size and going rate bushel. YMMV
In many areas these would bring good money.
These might be larger than 5000 bushel bins.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

This got me interested. I wasn’t even close. A 30’ 9 ring grain bin can hold around 21,000 bushels. So 9 x 21,000 x .25 = $47,000 per season. Years (around 30 years) ago my buddy had extra bin space it went for .10 cents a bushel so today .25 cents may be a little low.

 

[Ashgrove]

Small 50 yr. old bins with worn out handling equipment. Around here the countryside is littered with them. Today most operators want that much storage capacity, or more, in one structure.

 

[tester19]

Where is around here?
You have no location?
.
.
.

 

[BMWBOB]

Small 50 yr. old bins with worn out handling equipment. Around here the countryside is littered with them. Today most operators want that much storage capacity, or more, in one structure.

I have worked in agriculture more than 30 years - just in E WA, and I can tell you, those bins have no value. Farmers don't store hardly any of their crop on the farm in this area. They deliver to large coops who help them market their grain, and store it properly. In fact, you won't be able to rent it out either with no aeration and out dated augers etc: they are just too small and slow for todays' farmer, other than maybe a specialty crop, or perhaps for short term wheat seed variety storage. High Line Grain Coop has a major seed plant in Harrington. You will need to do some upgrading, most likely, first.

That said, you most likely can get away with no permits in Harrington... Talk about rural! I was there twice this summer on motorcycle rides, and I love that area

 

[kbeefy]

This got me interested. I wasn’t even close. A 30’ 9 ring grain bin can hold around 21,000 bushels.

Theres 3 big ones, 22.5k bushels each.
1x 12k, 4x 9.5k and 1x 5.5k.

As BMWBob mentioned, I'm 2 miles from a very nice Coop right on the railroad tracks. I work with some of the local farmers and they said prices don't fluctuate enough to justify storage anymore, there just as well off taking it to whichever facility is closest and has room.

 

[kbeefy]

That said, you most likely can get away with no permits in Harrington... Talk about rural! I was there twice this summer on motorcycle rides, and I love that area

I'm 2 miles east of Harrington on 23. I see groups of bikes go by all the time in the summer!
Some sort of scenic route I guess?

 

[Jbullfrog]

Since it held grain I would be careful of any methane build up when cutting. Ventilate it well, and use a non sparking method to cut. A sawzall and a spray bottle of water to keep it cool would probably work fine.
As far as strength, just remember standing on an empty coke can as a kid. They are incredibly strong for such a lite structure, but it doesn’t take much damage to the side before it collapses. So brace your sides and curved header well.

These are grain bins, not Harvestores. They didn't have anything fermenting in them. They are not sealed like a silo, but have openings around the roof and edge to allow them to breath. There should not be any concern for methane or any other explosion hazzard cutting them. Stored grain doesn't give off methane, manure does.

 

[Walkers]

These are grain bins, not Harvestores. They didn't have anything fermenting in them. They are not sealed like a silo, but have openings around the roof and edge to allow them to breath. There should not be any concern for methane or any other explosion hazzard cutting them. Stored grain doesn't give off methane, manure does.

Well, he called them silos in the first post, and I am not educated enough to know the difference. The fermentation of starch and grain will produce methane, so if there was any left over product and it got wet there is potential for methane production. If they are open at the top to allow it to escape, it sounds like it wouldn’t be a problem.

 

[BMWBOB]

I'm 2 miles east of Harrington on 23. I see groups of bikes go by all the time in the summer!
Some sort of scenic route I guess?

Harrington is on one of many of my scenic routes to Spokane....

 

[kbeefy]

Well, he called them silos in the first post, and I am not educated enough to know the difference. The fermentation of starch and grain will produce methane, so if there was any left over product and it got wet there is potential for methane production. If they are open at the top to allow it to escape, it sounds like it wouldn’t be a problem.

The have been empty for at least 20 years, I'm not to concerned about it. Thanks!

 

[stingry]

Back to your original question. Yes it’s possible to add a door to a grain bin. There are several here in western Nebraska.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Around here, used bins do get sold. If nobody in your area is interested, I would tear them down and scrap them.

Biggest problem is going to be the concrete pads.

 

[Ashgrove]

Farm Show Magazine is a good source of inspiration/entertainment when it comes to repurposing items in the agricultural world. Grain bins have been featured many times. Their website has a good index search function and you should be able to view a few articles for free.

 

[hoho98925]

I have a long unused grain storage facility on my property.
There are 9 Silos all on very nice concrete pads. I would like to open the side of at least one and use it for storage.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of job?
I'm thinking I need to build a frame to support the structure before dismantling any of it.
They are bolted together with 3.7 million bolts each.

I would want to do the largest first, they are approximately 30' in diameter.



Thanks for any thoughts!

Hi Kbeefy- i know this is an older thread, but I have been absent from the forums for awhile. I have a buddy who converted three of his grain silos into a man cave/cabin. His place is in Moody just on the other side of Odessa from you. It's one of the coolest uses for these I have seen. His smaller silo is a garage for his side x side. He installed a roll up garage door on it.
My wife owns a farm off duck lake lamona road, we golf in Harrington a bit in the summer, it's a nice, fun course. We currently have the farmhouse, shop and 139 acres on the market it's a cool place, wish she would keep it, she's keeping the 1500 acres of crop land. I would love to have one of those silos to use as a cabin there!

 

[kbeefy]

Hi Kbeefy- i know this is an older thread, but I have been absent from the forums for awhile. I have a buddy who converted three of his grain silos into a man cave/cabin. His place is in Moody just on the other side of Odessa from you. It's one of the coolest uses for these I have seen. His smaller silo is a garage for his side x side. He installed a roll up garage door on it.
My wife owns a farm off duck lake lamona road, we golf in Harrington a bit in the summer, it's a nice, fun course. We currently have the farmhouse, shop and 139 acres on the market it's a cool place, wish she would keep it, she's keeping the 1500 acres of crop land. I would love to have one of those silos to use as a cabin there!

Thats cool, I'm sure your wifes family knew the family we bought this homestead from (the Timms). Seems Everyone knows Everyone around here.

 

[BMWBOB]

Thats cool, I'm sure your wifes family knew the family we bought this homestead from (the Timms). Seems Everyone knows Everyone around here.

I know of the Timms, too!

 

[kbeefy]

I know of the Timms, too!

I think they were a big deal around here in the day. Their name is on more than one large plaques and a road or two.

 

[PoorUB]

Around here, used bins do get sold. If nobody in your area is interested, I would tear them down and scrap them.

Biggest problem is going to be the concrete pads.

Why scrap them when they are perfectly fine for storage if they have a suitable door? I agree they have little value and scrap price would barely cover the time and expense to tear them down, even worse dealing with tearing down the leg!

I would add an over head door and use them for storage, no question!

 

[dfiler2]

This was on the local news tonight.

Etta's Bin | Warroad Lodging in a 36’ Grain Bin

Have you ever slept in a grain bin? Etta’s Bin is truly a one-of-a-kind place to stay while visiting Warroad, MN.

visitwarroad.com

 

[kbeefy]

I've decided to try rolling curved doors ala Grain Bin Inspirations







I reached out to them, they said their 10x10 DIY door is $5k + shipping ($1000 to me) but they are not accepting any new orders for 3 months.

So, this is intriguing to me, I'm thinking a DIY build. Unfortunately, I know nothing about sliding doors.
Or breaking into the side of a grain bin....
I do have a nice set of tools....

Can door(ky) people please chime in?
I've not looked into sliding doors at all yet.
Can I use garage door track?
If no, is there a trac I can use?

For the people in the know for hanging systems, They mention nylon bearings. Is that the bearings inside the rollers, or the entire rollers? I'm sorry, I'm a bit inept regarding these things.

Educate me!

 

[Snip's]

This company should be able to make your curved trolley track...