You’re familiar with routine maintenance on grain bins—activities that take about a half an hour—but are you aware of other major problems to watch? While checking for these problems, and subsequently solving them, takes time, it’s critical to good long-term storage.
1. Plugged bin floors
Chaffey grain, damaged grain and other ‘trash’ problems at harvest lead to more than just docks at the elevator. These small particles can gather under the floor and in the aeration holes to cause air flow issues.
“That happens more often than people realize,” says Gary Woodruff, GSI district manager. “You’ll notice it when you can’t get your grain cool. Debris is pushed by the fan, so it starts to build up on one side, until the whole floor is plugged.”
When this happens, you have to take a considerable amount of time to fix the issue—or risk poor aeration and spoiled grain. First, clean out the bin entirely so you can lift the floor. When the floor is lifted use a vacuum or do a good job sweeping the trash and debris that gathered in the space between the concrete and bin floor.
“If the holes are plugged, you can take a wire brush or a hand grinder to get those cleared so you have good air movement,” says John Hanig, Sukup bin sales director. “This isn’t something you’ll have to do every year—maybe every eight to 10 depending on how trashy the grain is.”
However, it’s easy to check and a good idea to look for every year—just in case.
2. Habitats for rodents
Have you ever seen a mouse or rate in a freshly-cut lawn? Or sunbathing on concrete? Probably not—which means these are the environments you want surrounding your grain bins.
“Typically, mice and rats build their nests in control boxes where the wiring is around the magnetic starters, contactors, really any place they can make a nest around wiring,” says Randy Coffee, vice president of marketing for Superior Grain. “And then they’ll start chewing through the wiring which can cause major issues.”
The easiest way to discourage mice and rats from invading the buffet you call a grain bin, is to pour a few feet of concrete around the outside of the bin so they have no natural protection from predators and are less likely to run into the bin. Keeping the grass mowed short also works but requires more frequent maintenance.
“Anytime you’re out there, make sure there is no debris around the base of the bin,” Hanig says. “Grass and leaves gather moisture and can rust out the bottom, so sweep those out after mowing.”
In addition, avoid “junk piles” of equipment near bins. It gives rodents another place to hang out near ample food supplies provided by the bin.
3. Insect infestations
Did you ever have a load get to the elevator that surprises you because it’s been just eaten up by insects? What are you doing to that bin? Or do the insects get a free ride to another snack with the new grain?
“Clean the inside of your bin and then treat it for insects,” Woodruff says. “If you go to the university websites, they’ll make recommendations for your region, including what kind of insecticide you should use and how to apply it.”
The cost for treatment is low—even under $10 per bin, depending on the chemical. With typical applications, you’ll just go around the outside edges of the bin on the inside and outside to prevent insect entry. This type of preventative maintenance can help save you major costs associated with fumigation.
However, if you have severe infestation you might need to work with an expert to fumigate the bin. That will take days instead of hours—so make sure you’re correcting these problems well before harvest starts.
While it’s three extra steps, these ‘uncommon’ maintenance checks can save you time and money in the long run. Your stored grain is your paycheck at the end of the year—protect it.
