Grain Bin Storage Resource Sheet

Overview:

The proper setup, operation, and maintenance of grain bin storage can be very challenging. In today's farm economy, farmers/ranchers cannot afford to loose any grain crops to overfill, spoilage, or contamination. For farmers/ranchers with a mobility impairment, back injury, amputation, or respiratory condition, the proper operation and maintenance of grain bin storage may be especially difficult. For them, simple tasks like climbing the bin ladder or stairs to open the cap when filling or aerating the bin may be difficult or impossible. Everyday handling of the dusty grain crops while loading or unloading could aggravate respiratory conditions. Also, the operation and maintenance of grain bin storage may require working around powered augers, elevators, or conveyors, which by their nature are dangerous. For farmers/ranchers who have disabilities working with such equipment, the danger may be even greater.

Who benefits:

Individuals with mobility impairments, arm or leg amputations, back injuries, and respiratory problems.

Commercial Resources:

Bin Level Indicators:

SAF-T-FIL Bin Level Indicator
Avonlea Farm Sales Ltd
P.O. Box 45
Domain, Manitoba, Canada R0G 0M0
Phone: (204) 736-2893
Toll: (888) 736-2467

EZ Eye Bin Indicator -and- LevAlert Bin Indicator
Lockart Industries, Limited
3308 67th Street
Camrose, Alberta, Canada T4V 3N8
Phone: (708) 672-4999
Toll: (888) 545-1228
Fax: (780) 672-2383
Web: http://lockhart-industries.com/

color picture of a side view of LevAlert bin level indicator showing how it activates when grain presses against it.

color picture of a side view of the EZ Eye bin level showing how it activates when grain presses against it.

Bin Level Sensors

Agtron Enterprises Inc.
242 Robin Crescent
Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7L 7C2
Phone: (800) 667-0640
Fax: (306) 668-7666
Email: sales@agtron.com
Web: http://www.agtron.com

Level Controls

BinMaster
7201 North 98th Street
Lincoln, NE 68507
Phone: (402) 434-9102
Toll Free: (800) 278-4241
Fax: (402) 434-9133
E-mail: info@binmaster.com
Web: http://www.binmaster.com

Bin Remote Lids/Caps:

EZ Cover Remote Bin Cap
Tough-T Manufacturing
Box 79
Glenfield, ND 58443
Phone: (701) 785-2555

Remote Lid
Farmers Union Oil Co., Machine Sales
102 Industrial Avenue
Mohall, ND 58761
Phone: (888) 391-6814
Email: fuoil@mohall.ndak.net
Web: http://www.mohallcenex.com/

color picture of a grain bin top, with the lid open and the attached remote lid arm angled

Bin Stairs and Rails (sample of companies that produce these):

Greene Welding & Hardware, Inc.
Box 191
East Lynn, IL 60932
Phone: (217) 375-4244
Fax: (217) 375-4245

Lambton Conveyor
1247 Florence Road
Florence, Ontario, Canada NOP 1RO
Phone: (519) 695-2316
Fax: (519) 695-2529
Web: http://www.lambtonconveyor.com/

color picture of a grain bin stairs with rail, curving upwards

Modified Shovel Handles (sample of companies that produce these):

D-Grip Handle, T-Grip Handle
Motus Inc.
39 Nanton Avenue
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3P 0N1
Phone: (204) 489-8280
Fax: (204) 489-0450
Email: gklassen@motus.mb.ca
Web: http://www.motus.mb.ca/

color picture of a D-grip and a T-grip, both attached to the handle of a long shovel

Considerations:

Many companies produce and sell metal grain storage bins, grain augers and elevators, bin platforms and safety ladders, grain aeration systems, and many other bin accessories. Some of these accessories can make a big difference in the overall ease and operability of metal grain storage systems for the farmer/rancher with a disability. The following ideas or considerations can provide a farmer/rancher with a good start at making grain storage system easier and safer to operate. A farmer/rancher may also check with state AgrAbility Project staff for assistance in locating other regional manufacturers of grain bins and grain bin accessories like those listed above. However, a good web site to visit for additional information is http://www.grainfeedequipment.com/ .

Grain bin level indicators allow the farmer/rancher to determine grain level while staying safely on the ground and still prevent costly overfilling.
Grips or modification to shovel handles can make long handle tools, such as shovels, easier and safer to use.
Remote-controlled grain bin caps or lid openers allow the farmer/rancher to remain on the ground when opening bin caps or lids to fill or aerate the bin.
Grain bin storage sidewall and roof stairs with rails make climbing the bin much easier and safer than storage bin ladders.

NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Wisconsin, Easter Seals, or the AgrAbility Project, and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.

The AgrAbility Project is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture CSREES. Funding for this document was provided under the project number 00-41590-0932.