Great set of pictures. Very interesting. We also use air, but ours has been in since 87, a 15 Hp unit. Just replace a cyclone/elbows once in while. It runs 110000 bu a year, mostly. Clarence - Clarence NW IA, Fri, 4 Aug 2006 1:24PM
enlarge 77KB, 576x432 1 Orange lines indicate placement of air grain moving system
enlarge 75KB, 576x432 2 Larger motors (20+hp) require 3ph power. We had to add a phase convertor. This is planned spot for convertor
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 3 We wanted to add storage for '04 also. Stake shows potential center of planned 42'x 12 ring bin
enlarge 74KB, 576x432 4 This bin foundation will utilize a footing. Existing bin was put up 3 yrs ago
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 5 Larry starts some work for footing stakes
enlarge 38KB, 576x382 6 Neighbor, Jim Goldtrap delivered ag lime used for fill
enlarge 45KB, 576x382 7 Larry moves foundation form parts closer to site
enlarge 48KB, 576x382 8 Capable helpers.....Joe Lamont on the left(Kurt's cousin) & my son Kurt
enlarge 44KB, 576x382 9 Mini excavator was used to dig footing. Kurt & Joe shot the grade w/laser
enlarge 70KB, 576x382 10 Footing was about 18" below grade
enlarge 48KB, 576x382 11 Larry moved black dirt from footing out of the way
enlarge 71KB, 382x576 12 Re-rod was attached to stakes & supports for footing
enlarge 72KB, 576x382 13 Forms were used in some areas where grade bank was shallow
enlarge 58KB, 576x382 14 Re-rod was welded and wired to vertical rods driven into ground
enlarge 78KB, 576x382 15 We thought we knew "about" where buried telephone cable was....now we know for sure!!
Easily repairable w/help of local telephone friend
enlarge 42KB, 576x382 42 We always take time to admire a good job. Cement was kept wet for 24 hrs w/garden hose watering
enlarge 39KB, 576x382 43 Trent (L.) has been doing this job for about 30+ yrs. Larry watches him running float
enlarge 41KB, 576x382 44
enlarge 72KB, 576x382 45 Larry finishes fan pad w/trowel
enlarge 62KB, 576x384 46 This was our concrete "crew". All good people to work with
enlarge 9KB, 576x382 47 While we were putting up the bin-a neighbor was having his beans sprayed for CRW beetles
enlarge 38KB, 576x382 48
enlarge 43KB, 576x382 49 Wetted concrete was allowed to cure for about 1 wk
enlarge 49KB, 382x576 50 You can see distinct placement of pad upon footing
enlarge 56KB, 576x432 51 Our long-time friend Gary Blasey (Blasey Electric) did the wiring for the phase convertor
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 52 Gary & his brother-in-law Del
enlarge 57KB, 432x576 53 A phase convertor needs lots of capacitors to operate
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 54 We bought a used 10 hp 3ph fan from bin guy friend (Merle Hendrix). It looked a little rough initially
enlarge 76KB, 576x432 55 Son Kurt spent a little time refurbishing fan
enlarge 51KB, 382x576 56 Brother Larry starts son Kurt & friend Donnie on roof brace assy
enlarge 43KB, 576x382 57 This is first bin we've used electric jacks on. Assembly & setup on jacks is quite lengthy (& heavy!!), but overall it's a work-saver
enlarge 48KB, 576x382 58 Uncle Don unpacked & checked box contents. Looks like door was in this box
enlarge 46KB, 576x382 59 Donnie (L) & bin co. helper. I believe the young man on the right is now in US Army Ranger school. We wish him well & thanks!
enlarge 45KB, 576x382 60 Myron has been w/this same bin dealer for 30 yrs
enlarge 37KB, 576x382 61 The roof seems like a slow-tedious process.
enlarge 38KB, 576x382 62 Completed roof
enlarge 37KB, 576x432 63 End of the day- note shadows
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 64 Again, assy of electric jacks took some time, but they work great
enlarge 59KB, 576x432 65 Moving sheets is fairly easy on top rings....metal is thin gauge. But, bottom rings are VERY heavy!!
enlarge 58KB, 576x432 66 Sheets had to be separated & sealant applied
enlarge 56KB, 432x576 67 Jacks are basically a powered "drop leg" jack.
enlarge 52KB, 432x576 68 Perch is installed while still close to ground
enlarge 58KB, 576x432 69 We have erected both Brock & GSI bins. We now have a preference
enlarge 59KB, 576x432 70 One of the "power units" for jacks. It takes 2 motor units.
enlarge 84KB, 576x432 71 We buy plastic headed (encapsulated is "big word") bolts for anti-rust measures. Plastic costs more. They've improved greatly. I don't think we ground but one bolt on this 42'x 12r bin.
enlarge 49KB, 432x576 72 Hopefully they'll still look like this in 40 yrs
enlarge 62KB, 432x576 73 Upwards & onwards!
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 74 Looks like we're getting close to bottom ring install. That's fan transition ring in foreground
enlarge 65KB, 432x576 75 Myron keeps electric jacks in check when raising
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 76
enlarge 45KB, 576x432 77 Working temperatures were fairly good inside this bin. Other years have been a real hot-house. We used our air impacts for tightening this time.
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 78 Getting in/out of bin before door is work itself.
enlarge 43KB, 432x576 79 Sealant is applied to bottom ring & floor
enlarge 47KB, 432x576 80 Inside ladder
enlarge 68KB, 432x576 81 Bottom ring is on & jacks are removed (MORE work itself!)
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 82 Myron ponders his next job. He's a very good foreman to work with. Very competent & understanding.
enlarge 45KB, 576x432 83 Completed 42' x 12r bin on right
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 84 10hp 3ph fan that Kurt refurbished in earlier photos.
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 85 We also added 2 rings to 27' bin originally erected in 1968. This is our "wet holding" bin.
enlarge 52KB, 576x432 86 Rust around transition seems common problem here. If it were me, I'd make that plate/screen around transition out of stainless.
enlarge 41KB, 576x432 87 We fastened brackets to inside of walls to lift bin
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 88 New sheets are ready for install in 40 yr old bin
enlarge 57KB, 432x576 89 Our electrician friend Gary, installed 3ph service for some of our bins using a convertor
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 90 Finished & ready to operate...I think
enlarge 59KB, 576x432 91 Stand & wiring is complete, awaiting the 3ph convertor install
enlarge 62KB, 576x432 92 This is the bin "selector" that makes life much easier. No more going onto rooftops to open/close hatches when filling. I can easily switch 25x/day if I want.
enlarge 64KB, 576x432 93 Bin company guys did on-site work on air system. This is 5" tubing
enlarge 64KB, 576x432 94
enlarge 65KB, 432x576 95 "Cyclones" were mounted directly to bin hatches. They are aluminum and hatch removal IS possible, though certainly not easy
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 96 Hatch from inside
enlarge 38KB, 576x432 97 Inside of "cyclone" These are made by FarmFans
enlarge 65KB, 432x576 98 Wiring of 3ph
enlarge 57KB, 576x432 99 Filling in old door hole before adding 2 rings to old 27' bin
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 100 Local crane company spent a few hrs doing crane work.
enlarge 44KB, 432x576 101 Crane had to first remove old Shivvers fill augers
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 102 I built this stand for 3ph convertor
enlarge 39KB, 432x576 103 6" cross augers being lowered
enlarge 66KB, 576x432 104 Cement pad awaits air-blower unit
enlarge 53KB, 432x576 105 Crane was used to "lift" 27' bin for 2 ring modification. Much faster than using jacks
enlarge 41KB, 432x576 106 Crane cable attaches to brackets inside of bin
enlarge 36KB, 432x576 107 Dan has been w/bin company a long time also. He helps engineer projects
enlarge 48KB, 432x576 108 Bin worker gets ready to weld from the air
enlarge 52KB, 576x432 109 2 new sheets are now installed in 27' bin. Hopefully bin will give us another 40 yrs of use
enlarge 43KB, 576x432 110 Removing brackets for old Shivvers cross augers
enlarge 64KB, 576x432 111 Larry & Kurt remove bolts to ready 27' bin for ring additions
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 112 Kurt tightens nuts on inside of 27' bin after sheets installed
enlarge 50KB, 432x576 124 Tim centers power sweep unload well
enlarge 46KB, 432x576 125 Larry adjusts unload auger tubing
enlarge 57KB, 432x576 126 Just about done! Black stuff is sealant between concrete & bottom ring. Cuts need to be made to fit around intermediate wells
enlarge 68KB, 432x576 127 Wet corn is drawn from 27' bin. Unload auger is slowed by using large driven pulley & smaller driver. Note safety switch in boot. It will shut down motors if corn touches black diaghram
enlarge 74KB, 432x576 128 Rain cover over wet corn augers. 27' bin is on right feeding 30' Shivvers bin
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 129 Phase convertor is gray "motor" sitting between 1ph (this yr) fans. Convertor will handle 80 hp. The 2 aluminum boxes above it are capacitors for it's operation. Plumbing assy in foreground is Natural gas manifolds.
enlarge 56KB, 576x432 130 5", 20 hp air pump performed flawlessly. We're very happy w/purchase & installation
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 131 Spare 2000# soybean seed bag is used to collect beeswings from the blower. It is necessary to empty this bag or it will cause blower motor to trip overload. But-it does help keep beeswings from being sucked into fans
enlarge 64KB, 432x576 132 Selector valve allows quick easy selection of receiving bin from the ground. No more climbing to bin tops to change bins
enlarge 46KB, 432x576 133 Shivvers exits top of 30' bin dumping into air system
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 134
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 135 Pressure sensor provides safety to prevent plugging. It performed flawlessly as well
enlarge 35KB, 432x576 136 Control panel for Brock air system
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 137 Brock 20hp 5" air system
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 138 Shivvers computer controlled drying. We've had this basic system since 1976
