Manual Silos
Manual Silos
Manual Silos
MANUAL
CAUTION
"DO NOT UNLOAD
1 2 3 4
THROUGH SIDE GATES"
OUTSIDE AND INSIDE DOOR 5 PLACE NEXT TO SIDE DECAL 1688_443
UNLOADING GATES
PLACE NEXT TO SIDE
4 CAUTION DECAL - 1688_264 UNLOADING GATES
SA-00003
DECAL LOCATIONS
SA-00037
Suffocation
SA-00038
Bridged
Grain
SA-00039
Massed
Grain
WARNING
DO NOT CUT HOLES INTO THE BIN SIDEWALL!
THIS WILL CAUSE AN UNEVEN LOAD
DISTRIBUTION AND MAY CAUSE BIN
FAILURE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL
INJURY OR DEATH!
WARNING
Damage from one of the
issues listed above may cause
sudden structural failure and
collapse, which may result
in personal injury or even
death. Frequently monitor and
inspect bin and foundation
for any deflections, cracks,
or deviations that may
occur. Follow operation and
maintenance instructions
described in this bin manual.
WARNING
Please call your state’s “Call Before You Dig” one-
call notification system to have local utilities locate
their underground facilities before any excavation
or digging. To not do so could result in injury or
death and can be a criminal offense.
3.1. Site Selection 3.1.3. Future site expansion should be factored into the
site selection process and careful consideration must be
3.1.1. When selecting a grain storage and handling site,
paid to the electrical and gas supplies, as well as keeping
many factors need to be considered. The site should allow
safe distances from power supply sources. Be certain that
convenient access for loading and unloading as well as
suitable soils surround the area in all directions for possible
workability if the site is to become a grain system center.
expansions. Also, the site’s environmental conditions
Positioning and placement of handling equipment, fans,
should be tested before a site is considered as a suitable
heaters, ladders, stairways, etc. must be predetermined.
grain storage location.
Also, be aware of any underground electrical cables or gas
pipes before digging. 3.1.4. Crop yields, acreages, and equipment sizes will
continue their upward trend, so allow plenty of room for
3.1.2. Figure 6 below shows an example of a bin site
vehicles and for expansion. It may be necessary to plan
expansion project. Future grain bin locations are also
for high capacity grain movement. Include large dump pits,
shown. Although not all storage systems look like the one
holding bins, and conveyers.
below, expansion projects should start with a top layout
view of existing storage bins and components. When
considering future expansion or updating a grain drying,
storage, and handling system, think long-term.
CONVEYORS &
CATWALKS
BIN 4
DRIVE
FUTURE
BIN 12
OM-00005
SITE LAYOUT
C-00107
Concrete
Settlement
Maximum overall deviation of the concrete Maximum uneven settlement after filling the
foundation before grain bin erection. grain bin (includes overall concrete deviation
before bin erection).
Figure 7. Concrete foundation maximum deviation and maximum settlement.
NOTICE
IMPORTANT! Once the grain bin is up, check
regularly to ensure anchor bolts are properly
installed so the grain bin will be able to withstand
high winds.
Figure 8. Electrical wire clearance for grain bins filled by portable augers, conveyors, or elevators. Source: American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) C2-2007 “National Electric Safety Code,” Rule 234.
Figure 9. Electrical wire clearance for grain bins filled by permanently installed augers, conveyors, or elevators. Source:
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C2-2007 “National Electric Safety Code,” Rule 234.
Figure 10. Typical component location. Note: Hopper bottom bins may not include side entry doors, fan(s), and/or
heater(s), unloading tubes, and venting equipment.
WARNING
OBSERVE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THIS
MANUAL!
WARNING
Do not enter this bin while it is being
loaded or unloaded!
STAGE 3
1 STAGE ONLY
STAGE 2
STAGE 1
C-00013
Initial Fill
Filling taller larger bins with 1 stage only Filling taller larger bins in multiple stages
may cause uneven soil bearing pressures will allow proper settlement.
and off-centered settlement of bin.
Figure 11. Initial fill on taller larger bins.
INCORRECT CORRECT
OFF CENTER CENTER
(ECCENTRIC) UNLOADING
UNLOADING
C-00015
Unloading
CENTER SUMP INTERMEDIATE SUMPS
Off center (eccentric) unloading at floor or Behlen grain bins must be unloaded through the center
wall can cause excessive down pressure sump until all grain has emptied through this sump. Then,
and can result in sidewall buckling. and only then, can auxiliary sumps be utilized.
DANGER
Never enter bin while equipment is operating.
Augers travel at increasing speed when bin is
emptied. Failure to heed this warning may cause
serious injury or death.
• Lock-Out/Tag-Out all equipment.
• Use a safety harness and safety line.
• Wear a dust respirator.
• Avoid the center of the bin.
• Station a person to help from the outside of the bin.
VOID
C-00017
Mixed Grain
Grain partially dried, shrinks and causes a Behlen storage bins are designed to store
void. Buckling can occur within the dry, free-flowing grain with a density of up to
sidewalls and stiffeners. 52 lbs/ft³. They are not designed for storage
of high moisture grain.
Figure 15. Mixed Grain
WARNING
Damage from frozen grain may cause sudden structural failure and collapse, which
may result in personal injury or even death. Frequently monitor and inspect bin.
Follow operation and maintenance instructions described in this bin manual.
C-00020
Stirring Machine
C-00022
Positive Air
When internal air pressure is higher than the Behlen grain bin with an adequate area of
outside air pressure, then the grain bin roof roof openings.
may possibly "Dome".
Figure 21. Positive air pressure.
C-00023
Negative Air
When internal air pressure is lower than the Behlen grain bin with an adequate area of
outside air pressure, then the grain bin roof roof openings.
may possibly "Cave-in".
Positive Positive
Air Fan Air Fan
C-00025
Fan Interlocked
To prevent roof cave-in, fans should be wired The Negative Air Roof Fans start within a few
so that Negative Air Roof Fans start within a seconds after the Positive Air Fans.
few seconds after the Positive Air Fans.
Figure 24. Interlocking fans.
C-00027 Roof
Loads
Unevenly placed roof peak loads and loads External loads shall be uniformly loaded
concentrated on the roof other than the roof onto the peak roof ring and towers or
peak could cause roof failure. sidewall supports.
4.12.2. CORRECTLY INSTALLED 4.12.4. If a situation occurs where a stiffener rests over
a tunnel, or a fan transition is too large to fit between
• No gaps between the stiffeners two stiffeners, adequate support must be provided
• No buckling that will continue to support the stiffeners through the
tunnels. Contact Behlen Mfg. Co. Engineering for support
• Stiffeners resting flat on the concrete footing recommendations. It is very important that the bottom
• Level concrete stiffener rest on a concrete pad.
C-00028 Stiffener
Installation
Gaps between stiffeners, stiffeners not Stiffeners shall rest firmly against each other
resting on the floor, and uneven floors could at all splice joints and shall also rest firmly
cause buckling of the walls. on the concrete footing.
Table 1. Allowable storage time for shelled corn with aeration: oFahrenheit (F) & oCelsius (C)
5.2. Grain Storage 5.2.2. Moisture Content of Grain Storage - The length
of time grain can be stored without aeration and the
5.2.1. Grain spoilage can occur due to improper storage
moisture content at which it is stored determine whether
and management. Most common problems are:
there will be significant deterioration. Short-term storage
• Improper grain management. generally refers to winter storage. Long-term storage
• Grain moisture content is too high for the storage spans more seasons. Table 4 shows recommended
period. maximum moisture contents for safe grain storage. The
values shown in this table are for good quality, clean grain,
• Grain deteriorating because it was held too long and aerated storage. Reduce moisture content 1% for poor
without adequate aeration prior to drying. quality grain resulting from drought, frost, blight, harvest
• Improper cooling of the grain after drying. The grain damage, etc. Contact local elevator or your local extension
must be dry and cool before storing. office for recommended moisture contents and storage
times.
• Not using aeration to control grain temperature.
5.2.3. Grain should be dried to the moisture content
• Poor initial grain quality which includes, pockets required for the intended storage period. Aeration is used
of fines (broken kernels, weed seeds, and trash) to control the grain temperature and to prevent grain loss.
restricting airflow and providing food for insects and (See the Aeration section).
mold.
5.2.4. For best results in storing dried grain, an accurate
• Improper insect control within the grain. moisture test is needed to determine if the grain is dry.
• Inadequate observation of the grain during storage. An aeration system is necessary for controlling grain
The grain must be checked on a periodic basis. temperature. Aeration is not drying. A drying fan can be
used for cooling if grain is stored in the bin in which it is
dried. If grain is to be placed into a different bin, it should
WARNING
Damage from lack of maintenance may
cause sudden structural failure and collapse,
which may result in personal injury or death.
Frequently monitor and inspect the bin and
foundation for any deflections, cracks or
deviations that may occur. Follow operation
and maintenance instructions described in this
manual.
In Case of an Emergency
Have emergency telephone numbers near telephones and written directions to your location. Provide
an emergency action plan as specified by OSHA 1910.38 and train employees on this safety plan. Have
posted floor plans or workplace maps that clearly show emergency escape routes assignments, location of
exits, designated safe areas, and emergency equipment locations such as fire extinguishers, shut-off valves,
disconnects, etc.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
DOCTOR:___________________________________________________
HOSPITAL:__________________________________________________
AMBULANCE:_______________________________________________
FIRE:______________________________________________________
POISON:___________________________________________________
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:_____________________________________