How to Prepare Grain Silos Before Harvest Season

Harvest can put enormous pressure on a farming operation. When grain starts coming off the paddock, the last thing you want is to discover that a silo, unloader, aeration fan or grain handling system isn't ready.

Preparing your grain storage infrastructure before harvest can help reduce downtime, identify maintenance issues early and ensure your silos are clean and ready to receive this season's crop.

Whether you're preparing a single on-farm silo or a larger grain storage and handling facility, here are some of the key areas to check before harvest begins.

1           Start with a Thorough Silo Clean

Good grain storage starts with a clean silo.

Before adding new-season grain, remove old grain, dust and other material remaining from previous storage. Particular attention should be given to areas where grain and dust can accumulate, including around outlets, aeration ducts and other difficult-to-access areas.

Don't forget the equipment surrounding the silo either. Augers, conveyors, elevators, field bins, trucks and grain handling equipment should also be inspected and cleaned where appropriate.

Starting harvest with clean storage and handling equipment provides a better foundation for managing the quality of your new-season grain.

2         Inspect the Silo Structure

While the silo is empty, take the opportunity to inspect its general condition.

Look for visible signs of wear, damage or deterioration and identify anything that may require maintenance before the silo is filled.

Depending on the silo and site, areas to consider may include:

·        silo walls and roof

·        access hatches and doors

·        seals

·        ladders, stairs and platforms

·        outlets and slide gates

·        structural components

·        fasteners and connections

·        aeration components

If something doesn't look right, have it assessed before harvest rather than waiting until the silo is full.

Any inspection and maintenance should be undertaken safely and in accordance with the site's procedures. Silo entry presents significant hazards and should only be undertaken where appropriate controls and procedures are in place.

3         Check Your Silo Seals

If you rely on a gas-tight silo for fumigation, its sealing system is an important part of your pre-harvest inspection.

Check seals, hatches and other openings for deterioration or damage and make sure components operate correctly.

Kotzur's gas-sealed silos incorporate sealing systems designed for fumigation, including structural seals and oil bath pressure relief valves.

Testing your silo and addressing potential sealing issues before it is needed for fumigation can save considerable inconvenience later in the season.

4         Test Your Aeration System

Don't wait until the silo is full to discover an aeration fan isn't working. Before harvest, inspect your aeration system and test fans, controllers and associated equipment.

Check that airways are clear and look for anything that could restrict airflow or affect the performance of the system.

Aeration can play an important role in maintaining stored grain quality. Without aeration, grain can retain its harvest temperature and moisture for extended periods, which can contribute to conditions favourable to insect activity, mould and grain quality deterioration.

If you're using a Kotzur Aeration Controller, check its operation before harvest so it is ready to manage fans using ambient temperature and humidity conditions once grain enters storage.

5         Inspect Your Silo Unloader

Your unloader might sit unused for months between seasons, making pre-harvest inspection particularly important.

Where applicable, check components including the drive system, sweep, slide gates and other moving parts for wear or damage.

The best time to identify an unloader problem is before the silo is full of grain.

Kotzur's silo unloading systems are designed to support efficient grain removal, but like any mechanical equipment, ongoing inspection and maintenance are important for reliable operation.

If your system requires servicing or repairs, organising this ahead of harvest gives you more time to address issues without impacting operations during one of the busiest periods of the year.

6         Check Conveyors, Augers and Elevators

The silo itself is only one part of your grain storage system.

Follow the entire path grain will take through your facility:

Receival → Auger/Conveyor → Elevator → Silo → Unloader → Outloading

Inspect the equipment along that path and make sure everything is operational.

Depending on your system, this could include checking:

·        bearings

·        belts

·        chains

·        motors and gearboxes

·        guards

·        sensors

·        switches

·        slide gates

·        conveyors

·        augers

·        bucket elevators.

For larger storage facilities, a breakdown anywhere along the grain handling system can potentially create a bottleneck during harvest.

7         Make Sure Your Grain Monitoring Equipment is Ready

Preparing for harvest isn't only about mechanical equipment.

Think about how you'll monitor grain once it's in storage.

Check that your grain testing and monitoring equipment is available, operational and ready to use. Depending on your operation, this may include equipment for checking grain temperature, moisture, protein and insect activity.

Having these tools ready from the beginning of harvest allows you to make informed decisions as grain enters storage rather than reacting to problems later.

Portable grain testing equipment can also be particularly useful during harvest because measurements can be taken at the silo, in grain bags or straight off the header.

Portable grain analysis with Hone Lab Red

For growers looking for a portable option during harvest, the Hone Lab Red Grain Analyser provides a convenient way to test grain where you need it.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), the portable analyser can measure key grain characteristics including protein and moisture, helping you make informed decisions about grain quality, segregation and storage as grain comes off the header.

Its portability means testing can be carried out at the silo, in grain bags or straight off the header, without needing to take every sample back to a fixed testing location.

Having access to grain quality information during harvest can help you make decisions earlier about where grain should be stored and how different parcels may need to be managed.

 

8        Review Your Storage Plan Before the First Load Arrives

Which grain is going into which silo?

It sounds simple, but planning this before harvest begins can make grain segregation considerably easier.

Consider anticipated crop volumes, varieties, grades, moisture, protein and quality specifications when allocating storage.

It can also be useful to consider which grain may be held longer and which is likely to move relatively quickly.

A simple storage plan can help everyone involved in harvest understand where different grain should be directed and reduce the likelihood of accidental mixing.

9         Check That You Have Enough Storage Capacity

Pre-harvest preparation is also a good opportunity to confirm whether your existing storage will accommodate the expected crop.

Consider your planted hectares, anticipated yields and existing available capacity. Remember that different commodities have different bulk densities, so a silo's tonnage capacity can vary depending on what you're storing.

Kotzur's Silo Volume Calculator can help you estimate the volume required for your grain and consider whether your existing storage capacity will meet your requirements.

Expecting a bigger harvest?

Use the Kotzur Silo Volume Calculator to explore your grain storage requirements.

 

If you're considering investing in additional on-farm storage, you can also use the Kotzur Return on Investment Calculator to explore the potential financial implications of additional grain storage.

10     Don't Leave Maintenance Until Harvest

Harvest has a habit of exposing equipment problems at exactly the wrong time.

Planning maintenance early provides time to identify worn or damaged components, source parts and complete repairs before grain starts arriving.

Kotzur Maintenance Services can assist with inspection, servicing, maintenance and repairs across grain storage and handling equipment.

Whether your facility consists of individual silos or a larger integrated storage and handling system, preventative maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of unexpected downtime when equipment is needed most.

Don't wait for harvest to find the problem.

11       Your Pre-Harvest Grain Silo Checklist

Before the first load arrives, make sure you've considered:

·         Clean silos and grain handling equipment

·         Inspect silo structures, hatches, seals and access systems

·         Check gas-tight sealing components

·         Test aeration fans and controllers

·         Inspect silo unloaders

·         Check conveyors, augers and elevators

·         Prepare grain testing and monitoring equipment

·         Plan how different grains and grades will be allocated

·         Confirm available storage capacity

·         Schedule any required maintenance or repairs.

Starting these checks well before harvest provides more time to address problems and gives you confidence that your storage facility is ready when the first load arrives.

12     Ready for Harvest?

You've spent months growing the crop. Your storage system needs to be ready to protect it.

From grain storage and aeration through to conveying, unloading, monitoring and ongoing maintenance, Kotzur provides Australian Made grain storage and handling solutions designed around the requirements of Australian agriculture.

With manufacturing facilities in Walla Walla, NSW and Toowoomba, QLD, and local engineering, manufacturing and service capabilities, Kotzur can support your grain storage infrastructure throughout its working life.

If you're preparing for harvest and your storage or handling equipment requires attention, contact the Kotzur team or Kotzur Maintenance Services to discuss your requirements.