Grain bin

Grain bins are bulk storage structures for dry wheat, soybean, maize, oats, barley and more. Grain bins are cylinders made of corrugated sheets or sheet metal with a coned metal roof that has vents. The floors of grain bins have aeration systems to keep good air flow through the stored products and keep it at a good temperature and humidity level to prevent spoilage. In smaller grain systems, bins may serve both drying and storage purposes when a dedicated grain dryer is not present. These drying bins often use a stirring machine to mix dried grain at the bottom with wetter grain near the top, promoting even moisture levels throughout the bin. In drying bins, heated air is pushed through the grain using fans, with attached heaters, located at the base of the bin. Grain bins may be filled using augers in smaller setups, while larger systems typically use receiving pits for unloading grain from hopper trailers. From the pit, grain is raised vertically using a bucket elevator (also known as a grain leg) and directed through spouting systems that rely on gravity to fill individual bins. In some configurations, tubed conveyors are used to transport grain to bins located farther from the central leg. The grain bin sits on top of a strong concrete base to help the structure withstand high winds and the massive weight from the grain.