Glacier FarmMedia – Why do some big bins survive winds of 150 km-h while nearby bins collapse or go sailing across the landscape? The problem has been made worse as bin size increases. For many bin wrecks, the answer is pure chance. The wind decides what it will topple. However, design is a factor determining […] Read more
Tag Archives grain bins — page 2
A wind-proof grain bin
While there are no guarantees, bin design and proper construction can improve the odds
New technology uses radio waves to dry grain
Eliminating heat gets rid of the need for propane or natural gas
Glacier FarmMedia – Few farmers can likely envision using radio waves to dry grain one decade into the future. But Kevin Eichhorn not only envisions such radical radio frequency drying technology, he’s building it. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, inventor connects an off-the-shelf radio frequency wave generator to his dryer using a coaxial cable. He calls […] Read more
Will your grain dryer become a grain fryer?
Eighty per cent of fires caused by trash buildup and can be avoided
Glacier FarmMedia – Fall is busy for grain dryers, especially if the harvest window is short and tough grain needs quick attention. Storing tough grain that hasn’t received proper attention is a good way to waste money, according to GSI dryer specialist Randy Sheley. He says there are two ways your money goes up the […] Read more
Dust storm, hurricane-force winds tear across U.S. upper Midwest
Chicago | Reuters — Hurricane-force winds tore across the U.S. upper Midwest Thursday evening, sending walls of dust across cities and rural towns, causing widespread property damage and killing at least two people. Straight-line winds up to 170 km/h reached from Kansas to Wisconsin, pushing waves of farmland topsoil across the horizon and plunging communities […] Read more
No bin load cells? No problem, get that weight anyway
Strain gauges can be used, along with some computer programming and smart data processing to tell what you have
Glacier FarmMedia – A French company can install a IoT (internet of things)-based product-measuring system into grain bins with legs within half an hour. Nanolike installs strain gauges into the legs of grain bins and then uses algorithms and artificial-intelligence based cloud computing to estimate the amount of product inside. A strain gauge is used […] Read more
Don’t be complacent around grain storage hazards
What to watch for when filling bins
There is a plethora of hazards associated with storing and moving grain. Robert Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, detailed overarching dangers and how to prevent them at a recent virtual event hosted by Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Hazards Those entering a storage area containing a grain mass can […] Read more
Prepare your grain bins before setting out for harvest
Tips and tricks for making sure bins are clean and ready for a new crop
Before filling grain bins or using temporary storage, thoroughly clean the bins or storage site. Follow these steps each time you empty a bin and before filling it with new grain: Eliminate dust and dockage from any cracks in the bin. Repair holes, cracks and leaks in the bin and cracks in the floor if […] Read more
Grain equipment firm AGI takes stake in Farmobile
Canadian grain handling and storage equipment maker Ag Growth International plans to dial up its collaboration with ag tech firm Farmobile and has taken a minority stake in the U.S. company to that end. Winnipeg-based AGI announced Tuesday it had agreed to make a “minority equity investment” of US$15 million (C$19.57 million) in Farmobile, effective […] Read more
New grain bins make cleanout safer
The bins have inflatable bags that help to move the grain out safely
Grain bins and grain handling equipment are one of the main causes of on-farm accidents. One of the places where farmers or employees can get injured is inside of the grain bin. Thinking back to my time on the family farm, the first job I was able to do on my own was unloading bins […] Read more
Give bins pills to ensure they stay healthy
Off-the-shelf sensors are being evaluated for their ability to monitor bins
Grain storage sensors being developed at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute use over-the-counter electrical components and offer better coverage in large bins. “The point of them is to try and get full coverage of moisture and temperature throughout a grain bin because we found that the options that are available now give limited coverage,” said […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
