Bulk silos are a terrific choice if you’re looking for a way to store and distribute your agricultural products. But before you start your project, there are a few things you need to understand about them.
Tower Silos are ideal for storing grain and other agricultural products because they can simultaneously hold a lot of stuff inside them. It can help you save on costs and prevent spoilage.
Affordability
Unlike traditional storage warehouses, bulk silos are affordable and can be repurposed for multiple farm uses. It makes them a good choice for farmers looking to build their storage facilities but on a tight budget.
The silos come in various designs and can accommodate a range of materials. These include grains, wood chips, cement, coal, flour, sugar, lime, and sand.
Some of the most common bulk material silos are made from metal and serve as a great storage solution for grain. These structures are airtight, which helps preserve the grain’s quality and reduces the need for fumigation.
Farmers often turn to buried metal or concrete tanks less prone to cracking and leaks than full-sized silos for fertilizer. However, these containers still require extensive containment. It can be achieved with lined dikes, but purchasing permanent silos or stacking tubes for a significant portion of the tank volume is more cost-effective.
Flexibility
The agriculture industry is perhaps the oldest of industries on earth, and it’s unsurprising that the way we farm has seen many paradigm shifts throughout history. It is especially true in recent years as innovative farming initiatives are taking root and bringing forth changes that yield more significant quantities and higher quality goods.
One such revolution is using bulk silos to store grains, seeds, and other raw materials for extended periods. Silo storage is cost-effective, durable, and offers many benefits for farmers, such as lower maintenance costs and increased efficiency.
In addition to these advantages, bulk silos are also highly flexible. They can be made taller to accommodate more grain or disassembled and reinstalled in another location should the need arise.
Efficiency
Grain silos are a very efficient option for many farmers. Not only do they help reduce the risk of grain spoilage, but they also allow for consistent monitoring on a year-round basis which is essential to ensure you are always getting the most out of your crops.
These silos can be made from various materials, such as wood, concrete, or glass/steel. They are commonly used for storing grain, coal, cement, sawdust, and other bulk materials.
They can be equipped with a wide range of loading methods, typically accessed through an access point at the top of the silo and delivered by gravity, drill, or pneumatic conveying system. If this is the case, ensuring a spout at the bottom of your silo is crucial to withdraw any excess material from the system readily.
Safety
Silos are essential for storing various bulk products, from grain to coal. They are designed with state-of-the-art engineering methods for maximum performance and minimal operational costs.
The safety of these storage structures is an important consideration. They must be able to withstand normal as well as traction pressure produced by the commodities inside.
They must also be able to resist damage caused by deterioration and corrosion.
As a result, they must be made of high-quality materials, such as concrete. They should also have top-perimeter guardrails and toeboards to protect employees from fall risks.
Moreover, they must have internet of things (IoT) interconnectivity to improve efficiency by reducing the reliance on visual inspections. By integrating sensors, process managers can access real-time data from remote locations to monitor fill levels in multiple silos and feed bins simultaneously. It increases output while cutting down on time and accident risk.