Re: anyone ever moved a grain bin?

Posted by Adam B. on October 13, 2003 at 22:38:14 from (207.221.80.107):

In Reply to: anyone ever moved a grain bin? posted by markct on October 12, 2003 at 19:47:44:

I've taken down and put up a couple bins that size. Its work, but not an enormous task if you have a few guys to help. For those bins, we rented some of the A-frame jacks. Its a very simple process.

The jacks are arranged around the bin, lined up with seams on the bottom sheets. In your case, the first 'set' of jacks will be attaching to the legs instead of sheets. The jacks themselves are simple A-frames with a cable winch attached, and a pulley at the peak of the frame. A support strut is pinned to the ground to prevent the jack from leaning into or away from the bin.

Remove some of the bolts in the sheet seams (two or three rings up, because you'll be taking the bottom ring(s) off and lowering it as each ring is removed). Plates on the ends of the jacks' cables bolt in place there. On the v-bottom, you'll start by bolting onto the legs instead of sheets. Unbolt the bin from its foundation, and use the jacks to lift the bin just so its off the ground. Either have several guys raise them all at once, or a couple guys can start on opposite sides of the bin, and walk from jack to jack, giving each one a few turns. Eventually, it gets where it needs to be. Next, remove the lower portion of the legs and the bottom cone sections. The cone is easy to keep track of, so those pieces can be kept on a pile. Then you lower the bin down and remove the next portion of it. After every other ring, the bin will have to be set on the ground, and the jack plates raised and reattached to the next available seam.

As soon as you get to the main sheets, you'll want to use some spray paint inside the bin to mark the sheets. Usually we do something basic, like: A1, A2, A3...and B1, B2, B3, etc... If you stack the sheets so they 'dish' upwards, the inner surface with the label will be visible for when you want to put it back up.

The electric impact wrench is a must-have type of suggestion. You should also have some large buckets available for all the bolts. When jacking the bin, go slowly and make sure to prevent the bin from tipping too much to one side. A speedy tip is to have someone with two wrenches on the inside, and the impact on the outside. The inside guy works with both wrenches, so one of the wrenches is always on a nut. That allows the person running the impact to go as fast as he can. Each pair of workers can work out whatever pattern is preferred for convenience, speed, etc...

Taking a used bin apart can be a good idea anyway, because when you put it back together you know there's new, good caulk between every seam. Also, you'll probably replace all the bolts, so you'll have fresh rubber sealing all the bolt holes. While its down, its much easier to give the roof a new coat of paint (if needed). You can also store the sheets for as long as you want, much easier than the whole bin. Just in case you don't have your new site prepped, or the weather isn't cooperating.

Assembly is the reverse. Put the top ring together, add the supports and roof, jack it up, add a section, set it down, reset the jacks, etc...

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. I've been involved in several bin 'projects', and its not easy work. Yours really isn't that big, so it should be a pretty smooth experience. One other thing - keeping your sense of humor is VITAL. =)

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• Re: Re: anyone ever moved a grain bin? paul 06:48:05 10/16/03 (0)

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