Hopper bin project

admin

I don't have the cash to pay $1,000+ for a bin, so I am building my own.  I have some 550 gallon drums for the bins and some 265 gallon drums to use for cone material.I am planning on using a 60° cone angle in hopes of having mass flow in the bin.  This will also provide easy layout of the cone since a 60° cone will cover a half circle.The 265 gallon drums are 5 ft long and 9.8 ft around.  Each cone, when drawn out, will be 4 ft x 8 ft, just a bit smaller than a 265 gallon drum.  This will let me avoid the seams in the steel.My plan is to cut one end out of a 550 drum and weld a cone, made from a 265 drum, onto the end and then stand it up on end to make a hopper bin.  I plan on cutting a small hole in the top and installing cyclones so I can fill them with a shopvac instead of buying a spendy and bulky auger.  I will have to build the cyclones too.  They will be about a foot tall and 8 inches wide.  These will be made from the ends of the 265 drums.  This way nothing goes to waste.The bins will have a few sight glasses in them so I can see the grain level.  I am thinking 2 windows on the cone and 3 in the bin.  I have some really thick (1/2"+) plexi or similar material, but I think it may be too thick.I am trying to decide what to use for legs.  I have looked at commercial bins that use 1" tube for legs, but this is a red flag to me.  I would use 2" tube and cross-brace/gusset.  I don't want a bin full of grain weighing close to 5,000 lbs falling on me.  These will be in the pole shed, so they will be anchored to the floor and/or wall.These bins will be 4 feet wide and will stand 11 feet tall when on legs.If anyone has a good idea for legs, I'm all ears.
Reply:A lot of those style bins use angle iron that extends up the side. The angle is also used as a lifting point and by extending it up the sides adds a lot to the structure as far as strength.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:I have been leaning toward channel for torsional strength.  I like the lifting point idea.
Reply:This is what it will look like.  The legs are the last part to be finalized.  There will be room for a 5 gallon bucket under the hopper.
Reply:I would like to put a triangle of angle iron under the top to keep it from caving in when the shopvac is in use.  I have also thought about adding  2 rings around the bin to prevent cave in.  They would be at the thirds.  These would tie into the legs and would be welded to the bin every 6 inches.  If I need more or less, just let me know.  I don't think there will be much pressure difference, but want to be safe just in case.
Reply:By running the legs up the side you you stiffen the sides from cave in or blowout. With the size of this and using a shopvac you shoudnt have any problem wiyh blowout or cave in. I would think filling it will be awful slow, if at all with a shopvac.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DBy running the legs up the side you you stiffen the sides from cave in or blowout. With the size of this and using a shopvac you shoudnt have any problem wiyh blowout or cave in. I would think filling it will be awful slow, if at all with a shopvac.
Reply:I just spent who knows how long building a prototype of a cyclone out of tagboard to see if I liked my design.  It looks good.  Of course I got the crazy idea to try out the paper prototype on the shopvac......    It actually worked ok,      until I put my hand over the intake and almost inverted the whole contraption.  I was able to stick my hand in there and "poof" it back out.  I hooked it back up and it stayed round, AGAIN!  That thing makes some weird noises, but it should separate grain.  I will find out in the morning.Here is a picture of the prototype.
Reply:Where you located ?  I found a 6 ton SCHULD bin for $ 250.00 on craigs list. It even has a ladder on it. What type of grain are you gonna store in it ?   As far as legs, mine has formed angle going up the sides.
Reply:I will be storing wheat, barley, and oats.  I am in Colfax, WI.  A 6 ton bin a too big.
Reply:How are you using a shopvac to blow grain?Bruce
Reply:I am not blowing it.  I am using the suction side.
Reply:I am not blowing it. I am using the suction side. Sorry but i think it won't work, or at best work very slow. These vacuum are low volume high pressure, roughly 100 cfm and your tank volume is about 110 cu.ft... See lamb electric-ametec for specs for vacuum blowers. Add to the tank volume, the lift needed and the restriction you will have from hose or piping and the filter( if you don't want your vac motor breathe the dust that the cyclone separator will let thru).  Doesn't cost much to try but be prepared to use your blower also or even a bigger blower.  good luck keep us posted
Reply:Thanks for the numbers.I called shopvac and bugged them to get the specs on the vac just to be sure and they assured me the vac will pull 165 cfm.  The tank volume shouldn't change it.I tried the cyclone today with some wheat and it worked!  It was not hooked to the bin, so things might change.  That thing moves grain!  It sounded like ww3 in there.  I think it will fill a bin in short order if I can keep up with the voracious appetite.  It will be a challenge to move bags fast enough to keep up to this thing.  I have started making the metal version of the cyclone.  The paper version crushes pretty easy.  I will keep you posted on further progress.
Reply:Something bugs me...maybe completely irrelevant but. Considering that a shop vac has a brushed motor and makes sparks.How explosive is your grain dust  ?  I have seen on youtube some very interesting vids about that...scary too.take care.
Reply:Originally Posted by snowbirdSomething bugs me...maybe completely irrelevant but. Considering that a shop vac has a brushed motor and makes sparks.How explosive is your grain dust  ?  I have seen on youtube some very interesting vids about that...scary too.take care.
Reply:You can pick up grain bins on farm sales here like that for $100-$300 from what I've seen.  I would not even mess around if I could find one that cheap.
Reply:Originally Posted by cd19You can pick up grain bins on farm sales here like that for $100-$300 from what I've seen.  I would not even mess around if I could find one that cheap.
Reply:we don't know where you are but dairy farms selling out would be your best bet, consignment sales tool
Reply:Originally Posted by isaaccarlsonI will be storing wheat, barley, and oats.  I am in Colfax, WI.  A 6 ton bin a too big.